LIFE + CULTURE
EVA AMURRI SHARES WHAT SHE'S GRATEFUL FOR (INCLUDING HER STUNNING WEDDING, EARLIER THIS YEAR)
THANKFUL
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
LOYALTY
FRIENDSHIP AND SO MUCH MORE
At Cindy Raney & Team, we know that a home is more than just a place; it’s a foundation where memories are made, and futures are built. As we reflect on the privilege of serving and guiding you through one of life’s most important decisions, we are reminded of the trust you’ve placed in us –an honor we hold dear. This season, as you gather with loved ones, we extend our deepest gratitude and look forward to helping you create the next chapter in the place you’ll love to call home.
THE WORLD’S #1 IN ORTHOPEDIC CARE NOW IN WESTPORT.
HSS, the world's leading orthopedic care provider, is teaming up with Stamford Health to give you convenient access to doctor visits, follow-up care, second opinions, imaging and more, all at a brand new location in Westport. So you can get back to moving better and doing what you love, right here in Connecticut.
To learn more about specialties and services, visit HSS.edu/Westport
Thankful Issue
Dear Westport and Weston,
As we move into the season of gratitude, we are reminded of all the reasons we have to be thankful. This month’s issue is a celebration of just that—appreciation for the people, places, and traditions that make our community so special.
Our cover story features Eva Amurri, whose heartfelt note on being thankful captures the spirit of the season beautifully. Her words resonate with all of us as we reflect on what it means to be grateful, both in our personal lives and as a community.
We’re also excited to spotlight Amy Palmer and her new show, The Westport Show, a project that’s sure to bring even more local stories and voices to the forefront. Also in our lineup is the dynamic duo of sports hosts/analysts Jordan and Shae Cornette, who preview this upcoming basketball season and share their family's love for the sport.
This month, we’re particularly thankful for John Videler, our incredible staff photographer, who has been with us since the beginning of our publication in 2018. His work behind the lens not only enhances our publication but also celebrates the beauty and spirit of Westport.
Speaking of local treasures, what would November be without a nod to Thanksgiving traditions? In this issue, we dive into how Westport celebrates this beloved holiday—from community gatherings to cherished recipes. And for those who love a good appetizer, we've got you covered with some delicious dip recipes that are sure to be a hit at any holiday party!
We also want to highlight the importance of places that bring us together, like the Compo Beach Playground, a spot that our community is truly thankful for. And for the art lovers, don’t miss the upcoming show at Clarendon Art Gallery featuring the works of Craig Alan—an event that promises to inspire.
Lastly, our amazing editor, Sara Gaynes Levy, shares her reflections on gratitude in a special note.
As for me, I’m most thankful for all of you—our readers, neighbors, friends, and family. You welcome us into your homes each month, and we are honored to share your stories, traditions, and experiences. This community is what makes our work so meaningful, and we are deeply grateful.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Sara with your own stories. We love hearing from you and learning about the traditions that matter most in your lives.
Gratefully,
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Marisa MacLean | marisa.maclean@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sara Gaynes Levy | sara.gayneslevy@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Eva Amurri, Sara Gaynes Levy, Clarendon Fine Art
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Taralynn Lawton, John Videler, Erin Hall, Bevy Rutledge, Julia D'Agostino, Jerri Graham
MARISA MACLEAN, PUBLISHER @WESTPORTLIFESTYLE
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman
inside the issue
Through His Lens
Photographer John Videler has captured Westport
Gratefully, Eva After
Eva Amurri
How Westport Does Thanksgiving
Local
Eva Amurri shot by Taralynn Lawton at her June 29, 2024 wedding to Ian Hock.
Correction: Our September 2024 issue erroneously listed Shazi Visram's title. She is the Founder of HealthyBaby.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The Westport Writers' Workshop 20th anniversary celebration. 2: Dan Hurley the storyteller. 3: Founder of the WWW, Jessica Bram, with Blake Schnirring, Executive Director. 4: Kathy Satterfield and a friend at the WWW 20th Anniversary Bash. 5: Blake Schnirring and Julie Sarkissian. 6: Julie Sarkissian, Jessie McEntee, Blake Schnirring and guests. 7: Blake Schnirring with Jennifer Tooker.
Photography by Erin Hall
8: Front row at Christian Siriano's Spring/Summer 2025 show: Christina Hendricks, Selma Blair, and Nava Mau. 9: Tika Sumpter and Derek Blasberg.
10: Darren Criss at the Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2025 show. 11: Christian Siriano and Kyle Smith. 12: Artist Ashley Longshore and Cody Belew. 13: Christian Siriano backstage with his Spring/Summer 2025 models and collection.
SARA KERENS/GETTY
JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY
JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES
JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES
JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES
Care for all kinds of pets at Spot On Vet. 15: The grand opening of Spot On Vet, at 950 Post Road E. 16: Founder and owner Dr. Philip J. Putter and @samsonthadood 17: The Spot On Vet team at the new location. 18: Dog-fluencer @samsonthadood attended the grand opening! 19: Spot On Vet staff. 20: Spot On team members with First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker. Photography by Bevy Rutledge
14:
21: Runners at Remi's Color Run. 22: Greg, Remi, Chase, and Megan Rutstein, Parker Greenberg. Remi raised nearly $20,000 for Parker's Cure. 24: Bianca Jonas and her family. 26: Remi Rutstein and her cousin, Parker Greenberg. 27: Kimberly and Parker Greenberg. Parker was born with HIST1H1E Syndrome; Parker’s Cure is their nonprofit. Photography by John Videler
and Kristin
honored at the Westport Country Playhouse Gala. With Artistic Director Mark Shanahan.
and Bernicestine McLeod Bailey received the Leadership Award. 30: Actor Raúl Esparza performed at the Gala, which featured the works of Cy Coleman. 31: Actress Laura Benanti also performed. 32: Actor James Naughton presented Harold Bailey, Jr. and Bernicestine McLeod Bailey with their Leadership Award. 33: Actor F. Murray Abraham, left, with Harold and Bernicestine Bailey and guests at the afterparty. 34: 'Wicked' composer Stephen Schwartz presented to Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Kristin Chenowith.
28: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Chenowith
29: Harold Bailey, Jr.
Photography by Jerri Graham
Staples High Hosts Innovators Forum With StartUp Westport
In collaboration with StartUp Westport, recent Staples graduates will return to their alma mater to discuss the technologies and startups they've created, and how the Computer Science program at Staples helped them along the way. Moderator Molly O’Shea (Staples ‘14), a venture capitalist and reporter, will lead the discussion on November 25th. For more information, visit startupwestport.org
New Lunchtime Sound Bath Meditation at Hummingbird Healing Center
Need a midday break? Hummingbird Healing Center now offers a lunchhour sound bath meditation from 12:30-1:30 on Thursdays. This 60-minute experience is a great way to renew and recharge, as owner Lisa Pak uses instruments including the Indian shruti box, Crystal bowls, Himalayan bowls, gongs, Native American Flute, vocals and more to create a sound bath. $35, book at hummingbirdhealingcenter.com
Courtesy Lisa Pak
CONTINUED >
Photography
Westport Country Playhouse Launched A New Middle School Education Program
Playhouse Playmakers, a new six-week course for sixth through eighth graders, will allow local middle schoolers to create every element of their own original play. This is the first time the Playhouse has offered this course— it's currently running through November 17 with an invited performance on November 24– and features the direction of Evette Marie White and Stacie Morgain Lewis. For more information, visit westportplayhouse.org
Voices Of Our Children Poetry Anthology Debuts
A poetry anthology featuring works by local students from Bridgeport, Norwalk, Westport, and Wilton schools enrolled in the HEAL Community Service Program (run by local organization Homes with Hope) is now available on amazon. com. The book came to life thanks to HEAL Program Director Jennifer Lyn Amon and the creator of the program’s poetry workshop, Sylvie Middleton. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to nurturing the creative aspirations of the children of the HEAL program.
r i n M e l s o n
c a l t r e n d s , I ’ m h e r e t o
h e l p y o u a c h i e v e y o u r r e a l e s t a t e g o a l s .
NEW LISTING | $4,695,000 1 4 W O O D Y L A N E
L u x u
TUNE INTO THE WESTPORT SHOW
TV vet Amy Palmer created a new series, all about our community.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
There are so many incredible people and stories here in Westport. (In fact, that's what this magazine is all about.) It’s also why, when TV veteran Amy Palmer moved here in 2021, she started toying with the idea of a Westport show. She came to Westport “for love,” she says, after years of living in New York City. She began her career in the late 1990s doing production on shows like the Beach House and TRL at MTV and VH1—which she says was “amazing”— but she had always wanted to be on-air talent. So she went out
WithJara Landon, founder of Posh MomLive.
Amy Palmer on set with Ali Dorfman, founder of The College Corner.
Amy Palmer interviews artist Ashley Longshore at The Collective West for The Westport Show.
to the Hamptons to be a part of the startup Plum TV, creating and anchoring a series that featured unplugged concerts on the beach. From there, she went on to appear on NYC TV under Mayor Bloomberg, on a show she created and hosted called "NY360", which ran for five years and earned her Emmy nominations. She then created PowerWomenTV, which became a Taxi TV staple. She also started her own company, “working with large television personalities and brands on how to build their companies and content,” she explains. Her move out to Westport inspired her to combine everything she’d learned into a show for our community specifically, a culmination of her experience creating locally-focused content and series with mass appeal. “The moment was right to do a show about lifestyle in Westport. It seemed like an incredible opportunity to create media through a hyperlocal lens, because I think that that's how people are living,” she says. And Westport, in many ways, felt familiar. “One thing I like about Westport is that you could move away from the city and feel like you've lost a part
of yourself. But here, you feel like you went home,” she says of the vibrant community.
The Westport Show debuted this summer, with a focus on the women of Westport, including first selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and WEST owner Kitt Shapiro. “I'm a big believer that through stories, you empower people to live their aspirations,” says Amy. “It’s a cliche, but if you can't stop thinking about something, you have to do it. I’ve been thinking about The Westport Show for two-and-a-half years,” she says— ever since she first arrived and told PopUp Bagels founder Adam Goldberg “I'm gonna start a show and it's all gonna be about lifestyle in Westport. And you’re gonna be on it, because you’re going to be really famous one day.” (Amy, it should be said, has a knack for predicting the future.)
You can catch The Westport Show on social media @thewestportshow, on Gas Station TV all around Westport, and various platforms yet to be announced. If you love this town, you’ll love it, too. “I want people to feel entertained, informed, and inspired,” says Amy. Watch one episode and you'll see: mission accomplished.
“ONE THING I LIKE ABOUT WESTPORT IS THAT YOU COULD MOVE AWAY FROM THE CITY AND FEEL LIKE YOU'VE LOST A PART OF YOURSELF. BUT HERE, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WENT HOME.”
Amy and First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker
For Love of the Game
Sports hosts/analysts —and husband-and-wife duo— Jordan and Shae Peppler Cornette share their love of basketball with fans *and* family.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
The 2024-2025 NBA season kicks off October 22, and back-to-basketball season is an exciting time of year for fans. But it's an especially important time for local husband-and-wife Jordan and Shae Cornette. Jordan is a host/ analyst for NBC Sports, and Shae is a host of ESPN’s SportsCenter. The couple are both lifelong basketball fans— Shae, a Chicago native, grew up loving the ‘90s Bulls and went on to Indiana University where “basketball is like
a religion,” she says. Jordan, the middle of three boys, was always playing basketball with his brothers, the older of whom tragically passed away in 2016. (They started The Joel Cornette Foundation in his honor, to provide funding to study, predict, and prevent sudden cardiac arrest among athletes.) “We’d always be outside at our neighbors’ hoop playing basketball, trying to mimic moves from guys like Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan,” he says. “It was a romanticized time for me.” The constant playing paid off: Jordan went on to play for Notre Dame from 2001 to 2005.
While he was playing for the Fighting Irish, he began to consider a career on the other side of the mic. “I was intrigued by the Shae Cornettes of the world in our locker room,” he says with a laugh. “I was always curious: what does this job entail? How do you put together these post-game packages? I [think I] was inquisitive because I knew one day that's what I wanted to do.” Shae, for her part, started working at the newly launched Big 10 Network after graduating from college— it was her first taste of covering basketball, and she was hooked.
Since moving to Fairfield County in 2019, the Cornette family has kept true to their roots— Shae says their three-year-old might be the only Bulls fan at his preschool!— but have also embraced their new home. “Now that we’re on the East Coast, we’ve both kind of immersed ourselves with a big rival of the Bulls, the Knicks,” says Shae. “I’m super juiced to watch the New York Knickerbockers this year,” agrees Jordan. “I think they’re the biggest threat to the reigning champ Celtics in the East, and this was one of the best off-seasons in recent memory for the Knicks. There’s a supreme optimism about the franchise, which is great for the brand of basketball. When the Knicks are good, it’s good for the sport, and good for fans. They generate so many eyes.”
Shae says the Knicks aren’t the only team she's watching this season. “Bronny James is going to play with his dad [LeBron James] for the Lakers. This is something we haven’t seen before— what is that gonna look like? I’m sure Bronny is not going to play a ton, but it’s something to pay attention to, especially with new coach JJ Redick.” She’s also excited
“I was always curious: what does this job entail? How do you put together post-game packages? I [think I] was inquisitive because I knew that's what I wanted to do.”
about this year’s Philadelphia 76ers, who, with Paul George, “have been looking for that missing piece, and I wonder if this is actually going to be it.”
But no matter who they’re covering— or rooting for—Shae and Jordan are beyond grateful for their careers. “Living vicariously through the players, and reminiscing back on my time — that’s the fun of it,” says Jordan. Shae agrees. “It’s so fun to watch together. The cool thing about Jordan and I working in the same field is that we watch these games and learn together, and now we can do it with our kids, too. Sports are fun in our house. That makes me so happy.”
THROUGH HIS LENS
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN VIDELER
PHOTOGRAPHER JOHN VIDELER HAS CAPTURED WESTPORT FOR DECADES.
Becoming one of Westport’s most prolific photographers was practically John Videler’s destiny. He’s a Westport native, and his father, Cornelius Videler, was a photographer for Pepperidge Farm. John’s father also had a studio— in the spot that is now Romanicci’s near the Westport train station— where locals could get prints made. “My job at first was in the dark room, printing prints and contact sheets all day long,” says John. Eventually, he worked his way up to shooting passport photos, and then portraits. “It was all learned from my father,” he says. “He really taught me how to do everything.”
CONTINUED >
Eight years ago, John moved from a different studio— this one was by the Black Duck— to his current location, in his family’s home on South Compo (you may have passed the hanging sign by the road!). “Once the digital world came in and knocked out all our printing, 80 percent of our business was taken away,” he explains. “When we went to the house, that’s when we started doing more shoots.”
These days, John can be found shooting anything and everything all over Westport— from weddings and bar mitzvahs to drone photography to local events. “When I’m photographing, I’m trying to tell a story, but also tell [the client’s] story, too,” he says. He describes his style as “environmental,” seeking to capture a person (or thing!) in their environment. “People are aways like, ‘how can you spend two hours photographing a garden?’ And I’m like, believe me, you get caught up in the moment. It’s an expression, and I’m trying to put that into the camera.”
One of John’s hallmarks is photographing town and charity events— you can often find him donating his skills to organizations like Homes With Hope, or Parker’s Cure (you can see his photos from Remi’s Color Run on page 16.) “My wife is on the board of Homes With Hope, and that kind of opened the door,” he says. “This town has so much to offer, and I love being here. Being invited [to photograph these events] is the best thing that could ever happen to me.”
Even if you’ve never met John, you can probably sense his infectious enthusiasm for his craft, through both his words and his images seen here. “It’s gonna sound pretty sappy,” he admits, “but I have the best job in the world.”
John photographs events all over town, like when artist Ashley Longshore visited Christian Siriano's The Collective West this summer.
John Videler lives in Westport with his wife Elizabeth and their four children: Case, Elle, Sinjin, and Penn. He photographs landscape design, architecture, interiors, portraits, product photography, events, family portraits, and by drone. You can see more of his work at videler.com. He also blogs about his photography at videler.blog— an excellent resource for any aspiring photographers looking to learn more about the craft. You can also find his stunning photos of Westport available for purchase as mounted plexiglass prints on his website. Videler Photography is located at 138 South Compo Road in Westport. To schedule a session, email videlerphotography@gmail.com or call 203-856-5075.
John Videler
ARTICLE BY EVA AMURRI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TARALYNN LAWTON, BENCHMADE MODERN BY JULIA D'AGOSTINO
Eva After
In this exclusive essay, Eva Amurri reflects back on one of the most important years of her life.
The morning of my wedding, I woke up to the sound of little voices picking out a movie on the television downstairs. Creaky floorboards of a historic home, the tinkling of a spoon stirring creamer into a coffee cup. The hushed voices of my three sisters, huddled over a phone and planning the day in a neighboring bedroom. Careful steps up and down the stairs, trying not to wake me. These were the first sounds: the sounds of every happiness, and the banality of all of it. The culmination of everything I’d wished for. The next sound I heard was the rain. I had spent the past ten days tracking our wedding weekend weather on every app possible. Our tiny and perfect outdoor wedding that I had been planning for 18 months at the forefront of my mind all week, as I willed the weather to hold off. Dread over either boiling our 30 guests in the heat or drowning them with rain alternated at night while I tossed and turned. I wrote and edited packing lists at 3 a.m. to the glow of my iPhone. As a second-time bride, I held two feelings at once: a desire for our wedding day to be perfect and meaningful, and also a desperation for the planning process and navigation of every last detail to come to an end. This was Ian’s first wedding, and the first for my kids. As the one planning every detail, I felt such a responsibility to represent in that day and in that ceremony my deep love for them all. As excited as I was to finally be married, the day itself was weighing on me, as I weighed all the possible ways it could go wrong. I find that anxiety during big life events can oftentimes make people hyper-focused on one small detail, and blow it out of proportion as a representation of all the collective fears. For me, that detail was the weather.
Despair from the beginning of the week had turned into joy two days earlier, when it looked like the rain wouldn’t materialize. I remembered Ian searching my face for relief as he shared the latest gift from the doppler days before: the storm would miss us! Some overcast clouds and maybe a sprinkle in the morning, but the hour of our ceremony promised peace. The sounds I heard now were not a sprinkle. I opened my eyes to my soon-to-be husband cracking open the door with his phone screen opened to the weather. His eyes held so much love for me, as well as fear that I was about
to absolutely lose my mind. He didn’t say anything as he showed me the screen, cartoon rain trickling down the screen for pretty much the remainder of the day.
I looked up at him, and what struck me first was the unbelievable amount of love I saw. He wasn’t worried about the rain at all. He was only concerned about making sure my hopes for the day were intact. He wanted to marry me and create a beautiful life together, and that’s all he cared about. I heard my kids laughing with my siblings downstairs, and realized that absolutely no thought was being given to the weather in any of their sweet minds. Their joy lived in the meaning of the day, and all they hoped and expected it to feel like, surrounded by all the people they love.
Suddenly, I understood. This was the lesson and the last step I needed before I committed my life to this incredible man, and walked into our next chapter: You Will Always Receive What Is Meant For You. I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me as I let the relief sink in– that special brand of relief you feel when an outcome you’ve been white-knuckling against finally happens, and allows you to stop fighting.
The wedding day continued on, and of course it was perfect for us. The rain stopped and started repeatedly, and then turned back on in mist-form as I walked down the aisle with my eldest son. The trees and grass were blanketed in the most beautiful droplets, and the air and sky was thick with golden light. There was a romantic drowsiness to the afternoon that made it feel suspended in time, the perfectly hazy cocoon for the love bubble we were creating…together. We danced, and laughed, and cried, and celebrated how long life is. Hair curled, and skin glistened. The feeling that carried through the day was one of timeless Gratitude for all of it.
As summer makes way for fall, and we enter into the season of gratitude and self-reflection, there are so many things that come to mind for me. This past year has been one of great transformation in my life and in the life of my family, but it has also been one of deep grounding. When I think of what gratitude means to me, it also represents a prayer to truths we hold deeply within ourselves. I’ve been thinking so much lately about the chapters of life and their purpose.
“The feeling that carried through the day was one of timeless Gratitude.”
The Happily Eva After Benchmade Modern collection. Photo by Julia D'Agostino.
Some chapters are when we sow the seeds, each seed a lesson. Other chapters hold the storms that water them. Still others are chapters that herald the bloom of all the invisible work that came before.
The rain on my wedding day reminded me that there is so much beauty when resistance gives way to acceptance; when we stop treading water and realize that floating is another choice. I looked around me that day and was filled with the completion of this cycle, and the gift of regenerative love. My own blended family coming together through generations to celebrate a new chapter. There have been invigorating Wins this year, and bitter Losses. So many moments for me of both pride and self-conscious doubt. But throughout them all, there has been endless opportunity for Gratitude.
I’m grateful for my husband, who teaches me unconditional love, deep connection, and that growing old with the right person actually feels like getting younger.
I’m grateful for my children: my endless source of inspiration, and my tether that grounds me. They are my reason for seeking the best version of myself, and are without a doubt my best friends and biggest teachers.
I’m grateful for my modern, expansive, non-linear family, and all the joy it brings– as well as the opportunities for growth and grace.
I’m grateful for my friendship circles becoming smaller and deeper. I’m grateful that I’ve outgrown some relationships, and that other relationships have outgrown me. There is no better feeling than finding the space to really settle in and protect those connections you find most dear. I’m grateful that my girlfriends keep me from going completely insane, and provide the best panacea I know to a terrible day, or a humiliating Mom Fail.
I’m grateful for the feeling of belonging I have in my own community, and the ease it gives me to extend myself to others who may or may not receive me. Meeting new people brings me so much joy, and if it’s one chat over charcuterie at a mutual friend’s party, or great connection that turns into years of adventure, I’m grateful for the ability to connect– big or small.
I’m grateful for my health. When I look back at my life, I can see clearly now what a long and winding path
it has been towards physical and mental wellness. I don’t even recognize the person I was allowing myself to be ten years ago, and I remind myself daily that so many people we encounter may be fighting vicious, invisible battles we know nothing about.
I’m grateful for the people who don’t wish me well. Sometimes you can only see how far you’ve come, and who you are, when you see the ugliness of other people’s behavior. Encountering “haters” in my career has been jarring at times, but ultimately It helps me see life more clearly. It only makes me more grateful for what I have, and the experiences, people, and career I’m investing in. I’m also quite sure no truly successful or happy person has ever commented on a Reddit hate-thread.
I’m grateful for my career. Evolving my business this past year through my partnership with Benchmade Modern has given me the opportunity to merge my values with my aesthetic, and create a product that truly encapsulates the Happily Eva After ethos. Having product in people’s homes, and becoming a small (but comfy!) part of the fabric of their lives, is the greatest honor. This pull to connect and share in life’s beautiful and hard moments is what inspired me towards my career a decade ago.
I’m so grateful for where this life has carried and guided me. I’m grateful both for the lessons I’ve learned the hard way, and the ones that I’ve been awarded gently. The past few years have taught me that the Universe looks out for each of us, and sometimes when we won’t listen to the rhythm of what life has in store for our own unique journey, it makes changes in ways that can appear disruptive: ways that can make us curse and rage, ways that can make us feel insecure or vindictive. But it always sets us on the path best for us, in the end.
In this season of gratitude, I want to honor this journey in each of us: the challenges of it, and the peace within it. The laughter, tears, moments of panic or insecurity…the glow of connection, and the vulnerability of self-discovery.
Rain on your wedding day is most certainly ironic, but it’s also beautiful.
How Westport Does Thanksgiving
What does your celebration look like?
BRIAN LEWIS
CHEF & OWNER OF FULL HOUSE
HOSPITALITY GROUP
What time is dinner?
I always celebrate Thanksgiving with my 10-year-old boys Jude and Jax! We have always made it a tradition to celebrate at The Cottage Westport. We host about 12 of my family members as well. It is always great to not have to “work” on the holiday and I am able to truly enjoy my favorite restaurant with my loved ones!
ROBIN SELDEN
MANAGING PARTNER AND
EXECUTIVE CHEF, MARCIA
SELDEN CATERING
Growing up and before the pandemic we spent all holidays at our parents’ house where we grew up in Stamford. These days we’ve migrated to [my brother and fellow managing partner] Jeffrey’s home in Weston so that Mom and Dad can now actually be guests. He and my sister-in-law Debbie are the ultimate hosts!
We have a long, lazy morning at home with lots of backyard football before our Cottage Thanksgiving Feast, which begins around 3:00.
JES
BENGSTON
EXECUTIVE CHEF, TERRAIN CAFÉ
I don't know if I have ever had the same meal at the same place twice with the same people twice!
We typically invite people for 5 p.m. and get the party started and everyone seated around 6 p.m.-ish.
I think that early afternoon works wonderfully.
Photo by EPG Creative.
Photo by Winter Caplanson
Thanksgiving
Any non-negotiable traditions?
My signature Italian chestnut soup! I always add it to the Thanksgiving menu at The Cottage.
LOCAL CHEFS, RESTAURATEURS, AND MEMBERS OF WESTPORT'S CULINARY WORLD SHARE THEIR HOLIDAY TRADITIONS.
Dish you always make extra of for leftovers?
Best leftovers hack?
I love to take the wild mushroom and bacon stuffing and crisp it up in a pan—maybe with some duck fat and butter— to make a hash brown, and use that as a base for sunny-side farm eggs.
Favorite Thanksgiving memory?
My uncle Andy used to work for CBS, and he would take me and my brothers and all of the cousins to New York City for the Thanksgiving Day Parade! We would have frontrow seats and I remember freezing but being so happy, floating with joy watching all of the celebrities and the magic of the Parade.
Jeffrey and I took over carving the turkeys, as that was always my Dad’s job. We love it, especially when he stands waiting to be our taste tester. One other fun tradition that we love is that we place out small, beautiful notecards that have “What are you thankful for” printed on them and everyone needs to fill one out. After we eat we go around and read them which is always very special!
We all love stuffing, but some like classic with sausage, some like it with chestnuts, and others like a cornbread stuffing with sauteéd wild mushrooms. We always end up with a lot of leftovers of that. And we must have turkey leftovers: we all want to take it home!
Mom makes the most incredible Thanksgiving leftover soup. Everything goes into this soup, and it’s the best thing ever! It is like a Thanksgiving meal in a bowl, and we all fight over getting a quart of it. It's made with so much love!
So many! When we were in our 20s, all of Jeffrey’s friends who worked in the hotel with him— who came from around the world—would come and enjoy the holidays with us. It was so special to share our holiday traditions with them! Then my first Thanksgiving as a parent— with my parents as grandparents and Jeffrey as an uncle— was pretty awesome. My twins were born at the end of October so having them in their little bouncy seats at one month old brought a new dynamic to the table for us to enjoy.
My immediate family on my mom's side always puts my siblings' names in a hat, and everyone picks out a name. Whoever name you get you have to say why you are grateful for them. I am also obsessed with my social media feed on Thanksgiving, I love seeing people together and happy and sharing pictures. I love a good hour at the end of the night just to scroll and see everyone I love having a wonderful day.
Stuffing, stuffing, stuffing!
I need no hack! I like to relive Thanksgiving over and over with a big old mess-of-everything sandwich on a sweet little potato roll.
2020 was still a time where people were not gathering much. My wife and I had such a slow day just the two of us, and I will never forget it. We missed seeing so many people in our families, but that day— just the two of us— I will remember forever.
Wild mushroom and bacon stuffing.
What does your celebration look like?
DOUG QUINN
CEO, HUDSON MALONE
We always celebrate at my home. I go overboard and start prepping and cooking almost at sunrise. We usually have about 12 or so, but I kind of have an open-door invitation, especially for people who might be away from their families.
NICO LECHUGA & LAUREN COSENZA
CO-FOUNDERS, SEÑOR
LECHUGA HOT SAUCE
INDA & SOLOMON
SADE
OWNERS, THE BLONDINIT
We started hosting last year, a few months after moving to Westport, and it’s a tradition we hope to continue. Thanksgiving for us can range from 10 to 20 people and from more formal sitdown to buffet style.
What time is dinner?
We eat throughout the day. I put out a bunch of courses. I start with nice bread, cured meats, and cheese, then some thick-cut maple glazed bacon. Later, we shuck oysters and put out some chilled prawns with sides of fresh cocktail sauce and mignonette. We don’t eat dessert ‘til around 10!
BILL TAIBE
OWNER, DON MEMO, THE WHELK, KAWA NI
Our house, with around 20 people. This holiday is Solomon’s favorite! It’s non-negotiable.
Apps go out around noon and usually by 2 p.m. we start the meal. Our Thanksgiving dinner is more like Thanksgiving lunch. Then much later we all hit the leftovers to snack.
We’ve started celebrating in Colorado with my wife Rachel, our two boys Caeden and Oliver, plus our two dogs Boone and Goose.
We like to sit down around 3 p.m..
We time our meal around the Cowboys game, so we usually eat at around 3:30 PM.
I make risotto, which is a funky tradition. It takes a good 20 minutes after it hits the burners to get it close to perfection.
Dish you always make extra of for leftovers?
A tradition we have with the kids at the table is we always take turns and say what we are thankful for. Sometimes it’s heartfelt, sometimes funny.
The gravy is absolutely essential. I cook all the extras from the bird (liver, neck etc) with a chicken stock base, and use that for gravy. I make a ton of it.
We are Italian and Mexican, we cook a ton of everything. And we love to eat. Nico always prepares for way more people than we actually serve, knowing it makes a killer next-day snack – if it makes it to the next day. A lot of our family saves their appetite when they know Nico has a special menu charted out. He actually writes the menu on butcher paper and places it on the table so everyone can pace themselves.
Solomon does all the cooking. The parade is on in the morning, and football for the rest of the day. Football is not turned off even when we sit down to eat!
The Cowboys game pretty much dictates our schedule, and honestly, it’s added more stress than necessary in recent years! Best leftovers hack?
We cook a lot of leftovers with the gravy. My gravy is heavenly.
Sweet potato casserole— it’s Inda’s favorite Extra marshmallows.
Nico’s dad always used the leftover turkey to make a pozole soup, which we love to this day.
The most important thing— and memory—is me passing out on the couch every Thanksgiving after cooking all day with little sleep, my kids/wife in my arms. Happens every year!
We always go for a larger turkey to make sure we have leftovers.
We usually make a nice sandwich with the leftover biscuits and sides. Turkey is definitely in the mix as well.
Our son Javi was born a month before Thanksgiving, and that year, we went to Leuca, the restaurant in The William Vale hotel. We knew forevermore all our Thanksgivings would be with him and our own little family. Food is very important to us, but family is first.
I typically turn the leftover turkey into soup or turkey ramen with rice noodles and extra veggies the next day. It’s delicious, and we always invite friends over to enjoy a big bowl of turkey broth.
When Solomon and I first started dating, he came to my house to meet my family for Thanksgiving. My sister was attempting to make cranberry sauce, and Solomon saw her struggling so he started to help. A few cocktails in, they were laughing, singing, and cooking. All of a sudden Solomon feels something wet on his sweater by his elbow. My sister accidentally cut him with a knife! Luckily it wasn’t deep. We will remember this story forever, as he was officially initiated into the family.
My favorite memory is playing football in the backyard with my cousins, aunts, and uncles, then everyone gathering inside to watch the Cowboys game. Whether people are rooting for them or not, it’s always a huge part of our tradition.
We are thrilled to offer concierge breast imaging services and quick turnaround time for results at our state-of-the-art facility in New Canaan. Most insurances are accepted because everyone should have access to quality breast healthcare.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about the team at Connecticut Breast Imaging, please call 203.791.9011, or visit our website at ctbreastimaging.org.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
THE COMPO BEACH PLAYGROUND REDESIGN IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL BE THANKFUL FOR.
BETTER THAN EVER
Nearly every Westport parent is grateful for the beautiful Compo Beach playground. It’s one of the most special things about the town—seeing the arresting views of the Long Island Sound while pushing your child on a swing is almost surreal. But by next Thanksgiving, we’ll have even more to be grateful for, thanks to the tireless efforts of Westporters like Samantha
the effort— her father was a past president of Rotary, and she wanted to be part of the “next generation.”
The "why" behind the revamp of the playground was also compelling to Samantha: the main goals are to make it safer and more accessible. “You may have noticed that right now we have accessible swings on the playground, but they’re across massive amounts
"WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR WHAT THE
GENERATIONS BEFORE US HAVE DONE."
Owades— she's part of a community-wide effort to renovate the nearly 40-year-old playground to make it better than ever. (Her co-chair is the past president of Westport Young Woman’s League, Bridget Flynn, and they’ve received great support from organizations like the WWYL and the Westport Police Foundation, which donated $100,000 and offered Police Chief Foti Koskinas as town representative.) “The Rotary in Westport was coming up on their centennial, and they were looking for a project to do for the town. The town suggested the playground,” explains Samantha, a co-chair of the Compo Playground Organizing Committee. Samantha, a lifelong Westporter, was moved to join
of sand. We’ll be moving those closer to the boardwalk so that someone in a wheelchair can actually get onto the swing,” she says, as an example of the types of changes the committee has planned.
The safety updates include incorporating more of a “hub-and-spoke” model, to improve sight lines and help caregivers keep an eye on their kids. “The second thing we wanted to do is make it harder to get to the road,” explains Samantha. They incorporated a buffer picnic area on the road-facing side of the playground, and added a second gate beyond it, to make it harder for children to access the busy parking area. “But we didn’t want to mess with the visual beauty of the
CONTINUED >
playground,” says Samantha. “Keeping the roof and height lines intact, as well as the core structures, was important.”
Samantha, a mom of two, says she and her fellow committee members “are so thankful for what the generations before us have done,” she says. “They’ve created and established something that we treasure today, and we want to make sure that we put something forward that can go the next 20-plus years.”
In order to make that happen, a community volunteer build will take place April 21 through 26, 2025. Residents can donate to the committee’s goal— they’re raising $650,000 to cover
Top: The plans for the new playground redesign. Opposite: The big spinner doesn’t work and will be replaced by an accessible swing by the boardwalk. Photo by Samantha Owades.
The climber is staying and more climbing structures are being added since it’s so loved. Photo by Samantha Owades.
EXPERT BARBERS.
materials, labor, and maintenance costs— and they’re also planning volunteer opportunities. “The act of giving back and teaching your kids to give back is so important,” explains Samantha. “Playground renovation is something where kids can get involved in a physical volunteer effort in their own town.” (The details of how to volunteer are still being worked out, and will be announced on compobeachplayground.com/volunteer).
“People may not know that many of the new things in this town are built by small groups of community members getting together and creating something lasting,” says Samantha. So if you’re looking for a cause to give back to this Giving Tuesday, there’s one in our communal front yard. To learn more and donate, visit compobeachplayground.com
NOW HIRING
The Student Job Bank connects employers and student employees in an innovative way.
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
Two years ago, Jake Shufro, now a junior at Staples, was listening as Maxx Crawley, the head of the Downtown Association, told Jake and his fellow members of the Youth Commission that employers were having trouble finding applicants for open positions. “We connected the dots…students were also looking for jobs,” says Jake. Jake decided to take action and, after researching potential solutions, found QuadJobs, a technology platform that connects local students with local employers. “We thought that was a great solution,” says Jake.
Since the Youth Commission advocates for Westport's youth, the students tackled issue after issue and built the Student Job Bank after a year of hard work. “We got around 280 student signups, and filled 30+ jobs,” says Jake, who notes employers can be businesses or households, and looking for things like babysitters or employees. “We put a lot of work into it, and it’s been rewarding to see it come to life.”
To strengthen its ties to the community, ten percent of the proceeds go to Homes With Hope, which works to prevent and end homelessness in Fairfield County. It is $10 for home-based employers and $100 for businesses to post a job (discount codes are available for trials). Jake has heard great feedback from his peers who have found work through the program. “None of this would exist without Westport’s willingness to help out the youth,” he says. “I’m very grateful.”
To learn more or post a job, visit westportyouthcommission.org
The Student Job Bank team.
Danna & Jen are the Team to Choose
Buying or selling a home can be a stressful process if you don’t have the right real estate agent. With a proven track record, 20 years experience, over 250 properties sold, and our signature “hand-holding” service, you can rely on us to get you the best possible result.
“We have known both Jen & Danna for years but have never worked with them as Realtors until recently. They guided us through the selling and buying process with knowledge of the market, knowledge of sales and a warm “bedside manner” that all led to a success on both the buy and the sell. Feel lucky to call them each our friend and agent.” - B & A
30 Elm Street Bedford Square, Westport CT 06880 dannarogersandjenkass.com
Danna Rogers (917) 282-6292 • dannakrogers@gmail.com Jen Kass (203) 368-8032 • jenkass32@gmail.com
Art Smart
Clarendon Fine Art gives a candid look at how they help customers fall in love with artwork.
ARTICLE BY CLARENDON FINE ART
Displaying artwork is one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to reflect your personal style and create an inviting atmosphere. Clarendon Fine Art is passionate about supporting clients in this process and, to celebrate its upcoming launch with internationally acclaimed artist Craig Alan, sat down with Westport Gallery Manager Eve Gianni.
Clarendon Fine Art: Tell us about your role at Clarendon and what a typical day looks like?
Eve Gianni: I began my journey with Clarendon Fine Art, one of the world’s leading galleries with a diverse portfolio of over 180 international artists, in February 2023. As the Gallery Manager of our U.S. flagship in Westport, launching and establishing this new gallery has been an exciting endeavor! My role is multifaceted and continues to evolve. I’m involved in curating artwork to suit the preferences of our clientele and collaborating with our marketing and shipping teams to ensure a seamless gallery experience. A key aspect of my job is building relationships with both new and seasoned collectors. I take great pleasure in introducing them to contemporary artists and blue-chip secondary market works, showcasing iconic pieces that infuse their spaces with energy, color, and movement.
CFA: How did you get into the art industry?
EG: Visual art has been a constant throughout my life. I studied art in Florence, Italy, which deeply influenced my appreciation
for the arts. My professional journey began in my family’s fashion company, but my career pivot came in 2004 when I entered the interior design industry, where my focus increasingly shifted to art. During this period, I also started cultivating my personal art collection.
After relocating to East Hampton, NY, I launched a design and art advisory business. This led me to a role as the Director of a prominent gallery in the Hamptons. In 2019, I moved to Connecticut and again pursued my own business. However, the pandemic reignited my desire to return to the vibrant and collaborative world of gallery life. I consider myself fortunate to have been introduced to Clarendon Fine Art. Founded and led by the dynamic Helen Swaby, the gallery boasts a diverse and high-quality portfolio. I am thrilled to be part of such an exceptional team.
CFA: Clarendon’s first U.S. gallery, its flagship in Westport, opened last year. What has the reaction been like?
EG: Overwhelmingly positive. Westport has warmly embraced our new gallery, locals and visitors alike.
We’ve seen a diverse range of visitors, from young families purchasing art for the first time to seasoned collectors seeking specific pieces or artists. To integrate into the community, we’ve hosted a variety of events, including partnerships with non-profit organizations and art and design activities for adults and children. We hope everyone who has visited our gallery continues to share their positive experiences.
Wrapped Up In Love
by Craig Alan
CFA: What type of services does Clarendon Fine Art offer to clients?
EG: Our primary goal is to help you find the perfect artwork for your space, whilst ensuring that the experience of purchasing art is inspiring and fun! We differentiate ourselves from other galleries through our personalized and comprehensive consultation process. We strive to create a welcoming environment, with a variety of styles and price points.
Additionally, our consultation process may include presentations that are designed to facilitate discussions between couples, interior designers, art advisors or whomever the decision-makers are. We offer the option to bring artwork into your home or office to see the piece in situ, ensuring that the pieces you choose are the perfect fit. This approach provides confidence and peace of mind, knowing that your selected artwork enhances your space exactly as envisioned.
Engagement is important, so we host events, exhibitions, and art talks that allow clients to connect directly with the art and the artists behind it.
CFA: Looking at the current art scene in Westport, which artists have been most popular among clients?
EG: The street art style of Mr. Brainwash has been popular, and contemporary artists such as Dan Pearce and Craig Alan (who will have a solo show with us on November 22nd), have captured the interest of our collectors.
Realist painters like Christian Hook, Marco Grassi, Dave White, and Christopher Green have similarly attracted attention. Our clients have shown enthusiasm for contemporary French artist Patrick Rubinstein, known for his lenticular art, and Israeli artists Marcus Botbol and David Gerstein, who create striking 3-D metal wall sculptures.
CFA: What art styles do you predict will be popular in the coming months?
EG: What truly resonates with me are pieces where an artist's distinct voice and style shine through, creating a powerful human connection.
I anticipate that street art will remain prominent, engaging a broad audience with its dynamic and provocative nature. Art that combines traditional techniques with modern innovations, emphasizes sustainability, and reflects diverse cultural perspectives will also capture increasing interest.
CFA: What are your top tips for someone purchasing their first piece of artwork?
EG: My most important advice is to trust your instincts and don’t overthink it. Many first-time collectors feel nervous about making that initial purchase, but if a piece resonates with you, go for it! Don’t worry too much about how it will
fit with your décor or how it will look with other pieces. What’s crucial is that the artwork speaks to you and evokes an emotional response.
Remember, art will evolve with you. Art has a unique ability to transform and adapt as your space and tastes change. You can always move pieces around, add new ones, change frames, or even repaint a room, which can completely alter the way a piece looks.
Ultimately, art is about personal connection and enjoyment, so don’t hesitate to make a purchase that excites you. Your collection will grow and evolve, reflecting how you see the world.
Clarendon Fine Art hosts an exclusive event with internationally acclaimed artist Craig Alan, on Friday, November 22nd from 6 to 8 p.m. Craig Alan's art blends artistic vision, technical expertise, creativity, and wit. His paintings —crafted using dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of intricately painted exquisite figures—capture the essence of famous faces, iconic landmarks, abstract concepts, and tributes to art history. For further information visit clarendonfineart.com
Eve Gianni
dip -giving
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Fall is synonymous with gathering with friends and family and enjoying time together. Whether it is for Thanksgiving, a football watch party or a simple fall gathering, these easy appetizer dips are the perfect shareable snack to share.
garlic herb feta dip
ingredients:
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 whole garlic bulb, roasted
• 1 ¼ cup feta cheese
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon dill
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
fig & honey brie
ingredients:
• 8 ounce brie wheel
• 1/3 cup fig spread or jam
• ¼ cup pecans
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
directions:
First, cut the head off of the top of the garlic bulb, and drizzle olive oil on top. Wrap in foil, and place it in an oven heated to 425 degrees. Roast for 30 minutes or until soft. Squeeze roasted garlic into a bowl, and set aside. Next, add the yogurt, feta, lemon juice, salt, pepper and water in a blender and lightly blend. Add the roasted garlic and blend until smooth. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables. Enjoy!
directions:
Place brie in a baking dish. Spread the fig spread on top of brie and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Drizzle with honey. Add fresh herbs, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with pita chips or crackers.
creamy pumpkin cheesecake dip
ingredients:
• 8 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
directions:
Place cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl, and soften for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and blend with a hand mixer until smooth. Add in pumpkin and blend until combined. Mix in heavy whipping cream and mix on high for 2 minutes. Next, stir in pumpkin pie spice. Serve with sliced apples, pretzels, graham crackers or vanilla wafers.
NOVEMBER 2024
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
NOVEMBER 1ST
Westport Library Big Fall Book Sale
Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road
From November 1st through the 4th, the Library hosts their big fall book sale in the Trefz Forum, featuring books in more than 50 categories. You won't want to miss it!
NOVEMBER 1ST
Chamber Series: Stravinsky, A Soldier's Tale
Music Theater of Connecticut, 509 Westport Ave, Norwalk | 8:00 PM
The Music Theater of Connecticut and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra present this production of Stravinsky's A Soldier's Tale, "a dark fable about a deserting soldier who trades his fiddle for riches, but ultimately loses his soul." Also on November 2 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $55, at musictheaterofct.com
NOVEMBER 9TH
The 39 Steps
Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Ct | 8:00 PM
The first show of the Westport Country Playhouse's 2024-2025 season, The 39 Steps, continues through November 9. The show is "Hitchcock meets hilarity" in this thrilling comedy based on the works of the Master of Suspense. Tickets from $40, at westportplayhouse.org
CONTINUED >
Dr.Chuck Noonan
NOVEMBER 9TH
Supper & Soul Concert Series: Pajamas
Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd | 6:00 PM
This dinner-and-a-concert series at the Westport Library features Pajamas, a rock/jam band, in their Connecticut debut. The ticket price includes the concert and a three-course dinner from a participating downtown restaurant. Tickets are $84 (dinner and concert) or $32 (concert only), at eventbrite.com
NOVEMBER 10TH
The Gesualdo Six
Christ & Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane | 5:00 PM
The Gesualdo Six is a British vocal ensemble, comprised of some of the UK's best consort singers, who perform without musical accompaniment. They will present a 75-minute concert—with opportunity to meet them after— at Christ & Holy Trinity on November 10. Tickets from $20 at eventbrite.com
CONTINUED >
NOVEMBER 14TH
Craft & Sip: An Afternoon of Fall Wreath-Making
Earthplace, 10 Woodside Ln | 1:00 PM
Participants will forage in Earthplace's sanctuary to gather materials in order to craft a gorgeous fall wreath, perfect for the upcoming holiday. Tickets: $40 for members, $45 for non-members, at
Beloved baker Jessica Leventhal willtumn-inspired cookie cake in this fun class for adults. Tickets are $85 (includes
Clarendon Fine Art hosts an exclusive event with internationally acclaimed artist Craig Alan. Craig Alan’s art blends
THREE DECADES OF EXCELLENCE
Over the past 30 years, Speedsport Tuning has grown from a small Porsche specialty shop to a full service, independent company serving Porsche street, competition and vintage enthusiasts nationwide.
Our vintage department is globally recognized for its expertise and skill, developed over decades of working on some of the world’s most coveted Porsches. Utilizing specialized tools and a watchmaker’s precision, our vintage technicians deliver the care discerning owners can trust, even on the rarest of Porsches.
Track enthusiasts at every experience level benefit from the
uncompromising excellence of our competition department. Speedsport Tuning’s skilled preparation and support services have helped our clients achieve hundreds of podiums and countless championships.
For modern street Porsches, we’ve been the trusted resource for those seeking an alternative to the dealer service department. Our factory trained technicians can even care for your Taycan.
We understand the passions that drive Porschephiles are as diverse as the cars themselves. No matter which Porsche you drive, or how you drive it, we’ve got your back.
Letter From the Editor
ARTICLE BY SARA GAYNES LEVY
As this is our Thankful issue, I had to take the opportunity to say how profoundly grateful I am to not only live in Westport, but serve as editor of Westport Lifestyle Growing up, I always wanted to do the very career I have now—ever since the days when television and movie protagonists were glamorizing the field as one full of endless opportunities. When I graduated from college in the recession of 2008 and entered a media landscape of shriveling budgets and shuttering print publications, I let go of the dream of seeing my name atop a masthead one day. That I not only was able to see that dream realized, but to do so within this remarkable community, has given me plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. I am grateful for all your feedback, too, and hope you all will continue to reach out to share the as-yet-untold stories that proliferate here in town. May all of your Thanksgiving tables be bountiful and joyous!
SARA GAYNES LEVY
Left: With Amy Palmer and publisher Marisa MacLean filming the Westport Lifestyle episode of The Westport Show.
photo by Julia D’Agostino
IN VERONA