Greenwich - March 2025

THROUGH FINANCE and TECHNOLOGY, RHONDA ELDRIDGE is CHANGING the GAME for UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AROUND the WORLD

CREATING THE PERFECT GARDEN OASIS Care & Compassion CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR

Create Where

You Belong

First in the nation to ask our real estate clients, “What do you think of our service?”

Client satisfaction rating*

*William Raveis customer surveys, 2004-2024

MARCH

58 RESILIENCE IN ACTION

66

In 2016, after weathering the storm of the 2008 financial crisis, Rhonda Eldridge launched Harness All Possibilities, a nonprofit providing tools for those in underserved communities to find hope and gain the skills necessary to excel in our ever-changing financial world. We sit down and talk with the pioneering CEO. by jill johnson mann

GARDENS OF SOLITUDE AND SOLACE

Local landscape experts share how to create hidden luxe moments to enjoy all season long. Wander through these bespoke spaces to see how you can bring natural serenity to your backyard.

by tom connor

(USPS 961-500/ISSN 1072-2432) is published ten times a year by Moffly Media, Inc 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to GREENWICH MAGAZINE PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607.

14 EDITOR’S LETTER

16 FOUNDER’S LETTER Of Using Your Imagination

19 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ We celebrate 50 years of Neighbor to Neighbor’s indelible impact on our community’s underserved and often overlooked population. SHOP Spring is in the air! We rounded up the hottest trends and the chicest pieces that every fashionist will be sporting this season. GO Planning a European vacation? We have the low-down on the new travel rules you’ll need to know. HOME Olive green is having a décor moment; Give your front door character with these chic accents. EAT Greenwich’s first brewery has hit the social scene, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome this cool, casual spot!

40 G-MOM

Our friends at Athena Books choose five hot new novels you should pick up now; Greenwich Moms helps us usher in March with these family-friendly activities.

44 MONEY MATTERS

How a public adjuster can maximize your insurance claim after disaster strikes.

47 PEOPLE & PLACES

Shreve, Crump & Lowe; Heart Care International; Junior League of Greenwich; At Home in Greenwich; Betteridge Jewelers; Hospital for Special Surgery; Abilis

56 VOWS Sherman–Oliver

75 CALENDAR

87 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

88 POSTSCRIPT A

Lisa Labozzo of Healing Hand and Heart

142 CEDAR CLIFF ROAD, RIVERSIDE, CT

$11,250,000

Timeless Elegance Meets Modern Luxury

Exquisite 2016 French Normandy manor designed by premier architect, Douglas VanderHorn, blends classic elegance with stunning modern aesthetics in coveted Riverside association with Shoreline pool and deeded rights to private beach. Sophisticated, custom crafted interior with Italian marble mantels framing four fireplaces, quarter-sawn white oak flooring, 10 ft. ceilings, French doors to multiple terraces offers extraordinary 21st century state-of-the-art luxury. Richly paneled living room/library with Long Island Sound views; magnificent dining and family rooms; fabulous gourmet kitchen. Six en suite bedrooms, one with water view balcony. Sublime master with fireplace, Waterworks marble bath. Geothermal heat & Lutron System, 1,000+ bottle wine cellar. Generator; three-car heated garage. 142CedarCliffRoadRiveside.com

For over 100 years, Cummings & Lockwood has been building meaningful and lasting relationships with our private clients, their family offices, businesses and charitable entities, serving as trusted advisors throughout their lifetimes and providing sophisticated legal counsel at every important stage of their lives.

Our core services include:

■ Estate planning and administration

■ Estate, income and gift tax planning

■ Wealth protection planning

■ Trust formation and management

■ Philanthropic giving

■ Generational wealth transfer

■ Probate and estate settlement

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For a private consultation, please contact one of our attorneys by visiting our website at www.cl-law.com.

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GREENWICH

LIFE TO LIFESTYLE SINCE 1 9 47

2 | march 2025

editorial

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Eileen Bartels, Carol Leonetti Danhauser, Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick, Mary Kate Hogan, Layla Lisiewski, Jill Johnson Mann, Georgette Yacoub

editorial advisory board

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editor’s letter

SCAN TO EXPLORE OUR DIGITAL SIDE

THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY

Every so often, we’re fortunate enough to come across a story that stops us in our tracks—a story that inspires, humbles and reminds us of the incredible power of resilience and purpose. This month, we are proud to introduce you to Rhonda Eldridge, the woman behind our cover story “Resilience in Action” (page 58).

Rhonda’s life is a masterclass in perseverance and reinvention—from her beginnings in a little wooden house in the Bahamas (no electricity, no indoor plumbing, but an encyclopedia her mother bought on a $2 monthly payment plan) to becoming a managing director in the high-stakes world of finance. And Rhonda is still striving for more. Yet, it’s not her professional accolades that define her. It’s the way she has turned her challenges into a mission to uplift others.

In 2016, after weathering the 2008 financial crisis and surviving two cancer diagnoses, Rhonda founded Harness All Possibilities (HAP), a nonprofit aimed at helping people who feel “stuck” in their lives or careers. Whether it’s a midcareer professional navigating job loss, a teen mom in the Bahamas learning AI coding, or a young coder in Stamford exploring blockchain,

Rhonda’s work is about empowering others to embrace new possibilities.

This month’s cover story explores her incredible journey and the tangible impact of HAP, which has touched lives across five countries. From coding bootcamps and digital literacy programs to mentorship and networking events, Rhonda’s organization is equipping people of all ages to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

What’s most striking is her humility and warmth. Despite her successes, she remains deeply grounded. She’s simply someone who saw a need and decided to help. “It’s not that people aren’t skilled; they’ve just lost hope,” she says. HAP is helping them rediscover that hope—and, in many cases, entirely new paths.

As we welcome the possibilities of spring, Rhonda’s story is a reminder that growth often comes from the most challenging seasons of life. Her journey shows us that no matter where we start or what obstacles we face, we all have the capacity to rise, adapt and give back.

HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP

founder’s page

“And how about that creaking door in Inner Sanctum? It was a rusty desk chair.”

MARCH 2025 / DONNA MOFFLY

OF USING YOUR IMAGINATION

Back in 1961, Frank Sinatra first crooned: “Imagination is funny/It makes a cloudy day sunny/…”

Long before we were watching movies and playing video games on our iPads, we used our imaginations to lubricate our brains while making our own fun.

As newlyweds, Jack and I used to put on The King & I record and dance around the living room à la Yul Bryner and Gertrude Lawrence. With guests we played poker and charades or put on skits. A neighbor’s dog barked a lot, so one time we dressed up our young son Jonathan in a Snoopy outfit borrowed from the Grace Notes, handed him a telephone and told him to pretend he was Mrs. Moore’s dog calling to complain we were making too much noise. Another time, Lela Bogardus, formerly of the Ice Capades, handed out top hats and taught us the steps to “One” from A Chorus Line.

Imagination. On the endless drive from Cleveland to a fishing camp in Canada, we kids amused ourselves playing the alphabet game Grandmother’s Trunk, sharpening our memory skills in the process.

Years later, as we drove tween-aged daughter Audrey and a classmate home from skiing in Vermont, all these cars kept honking at us.

Turned out the girls had made a sign that they held up to the rear window. It read: “Honk if you think we’re sexy.”

Of course, in my youth, when television was just coming into its own, radio was big. Let’s Pretend transported me to the kingdom of knights and princesses. I can still sing all the lyrics to the Cream of Wheat commercial.

My brothers and I couldn’t wait for the next episode of Inner Sanctum—the eerie sound of a door creaking open and the host’s ghoulish voice intoning “Pleasant dreeeeaams, hummmm?”

Then there was The Green Hornet—the vigilante “risking his life so that criminals and

enemy spies feel the weight of the law by the sting of the Green Hornet. The Green Hornet strikes again!” All this to the tune of “Flight of the Bumblebee.”

And The Shadow, who had “the power to cloud men’s minds so they cannot see him.”

The episodes, some voiced by Orson Welles, all began with “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

Nor can we forget that masked icon of American culture, The Lone Ranger—“Hi-Ho, Silver! Away!”—and his Indian sidekick Tonto, swept along by the “William Tell Overture.”

How seriously did we take our favorite programs? Well, once when my little brother Mike was listening spellbound to The Lone Ranger, I deviled him by switching the station to Marshall’s News Ace “zooms into your home.” This led him to pick up a harmonica and zoom it across the room into my head.

The next day, boarding the train to visit our grandparents in Bronxville, I sported a large gauze turban, courtesy of University Hospitals.

I’ve always had a thing about radio. Not surprisingly, after college I would write commercials for an ad agency and become a scriptwriter for a Junior League project featuring Miss Witch on WGCH. And naturally, we took our kids into New York City for a tour of the NBC studios where we discovered the magic of simple sound effects from an expert on old-time radio. A matchstick snapped near a mic sounded like a baseball hitting a bat; the lid of a piano dropped, a door slamming; twisted cellophane, a crackling fire. And how about that creaking door in Inner Sanctum? It was a rusty desk chair.

Imagination. Daydream about your special place. Mine is a beach in Barbuda—stars overhead, waves lapping the sand, steel drums in the distance. No extra visuals needed.

Relax and give it a try. G

buzz

by eileen bartels

FOOD for THOUGHT

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF MAKING LIFE BETTER TOGETHER

Today Neighbor to Neighbor (NtN) remains as committed to its mission of supporting our underserved communities as it did at its founding, in 1975. “The achievement of Neighbor to Neighbor reaching 50 years of service is a testament to the consistent and impactful support we receive from the community at large,” says Executive Director K. Brent Hill. “Individuals, schools, the business community, our partnering social services organizations and the Town of Greenwich have each had a role in our journey. Every can of food, every dollar donated, each food drive held and every hour volunteered makes a tangible difference. It truly takes a village to run Neighbor, as we feed not just stomachs, but hearts and spirits, too.”

above (clockwise from top left): Volunteers from Edgewood Management with Executive Director K. Brent Hill • NtN staff Albert Calixto and Elvis Ruiz • Board member and event chair Angelique Dawson, board president Karen Royce and Hill holding a grant from another local nonprofit, Pitch Your Peers • Fresh fruit and veggies fill the shelves.

The organization was born by concerned individuals who began collecting gently used clothing in the basement of Christ Church. The volunteers soon expanded to gathering linens, housewares and canned food. And when the housing crisis hit in 1984, Greenwich town officials asked the organization to add weekly food distribution to its existing services.

Volunteers quickly got to work packing bags of food for clients of the Human Services Department. In 2005, NtN opened its food pantry, the first of its kind in the state. It gave clients the opportunity to shop for their families’ specific needs, utilizing a points system based on the number of people in the household and FDA healthy food guidelines.

In 2022 the Cohen Family Center for Neighbor to Neighbor opened on the Christ Church campus. Here the organization offers food and other assistance. In addition, clients can access personal care and household essentials on a monthly basis.

Board President Karen Royce

reflects on the momentous anniversary. “Neighbor to Neighbor has been central in my life for about 25 years. We started as a grassroots organization. Our mission remains simple, basic and critical in the lives of too many in our community. Providing nutritious food weekly is ambitious, and we’ve done it since the town asked. Since 2022 we’ve operated from the Cohen Family Center for Neighbor to Neighbor. Having our own building where clients enter the front door means everything to me.”

The numbers speak for themselves. Last year NtN served over 825 families—2,297 individuals—with 300,000-plus pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables. Nearly 850 students were provided with backpacks and school supplies. Seasonally, families receive holiday-meal supplies, and a summer supplement program supports children who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch during the school year to ensure no child goes hungry.

“Our staff is witness to the fact that hunger doesn’t discriminate.

“every can of food, every dollar donated, each food drive held and every hour volunteered makes a tangible difference.”

— K. BRENT HILL

It touches families, seniors, and individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds,” says Hill.

You can help ensure NtN continues its mission by donating needed items, offering financial support and by attending the anniversary celebration on April 24 (see sidebar). Often in demand are diapers, canned meat, personal care items, paper products and food staples like peanut butter and jelly.

“While we’ve made strides in addressing hunger, our work is far from over,” says Hill. “We’re committed to creating a future where everyone has access to the food, household essentials and personal care items they need to thrive.” G

Thursday, April 24

Hyatt Regency, Old Greenwich

5:30 P.M.

Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres

Followed by:

A conversation with chef, restaurateur, author and activist Marcus Samuelsson The esteemed chef behind awardwinning restaurants such as Red Rooster Harlem, Samuelsson is the youngest person ever to receive a three-star review from the New York Times and has won eight James Beard Foundation Awards. Fans of the Food Network will know him from his roles on Top Chef, Iron Chef and Chopped, as well as his James Beard Award-winning series No Passport Required.

Tickets start at $300, and premium seating and VIP opportunities are available. For more information visit ntngreenwich.org.

above: Neighbor to Neighbor fund development manager Mary Louise Morgan and Executive Director K. Brent Hill with Greenwich Police officers from the Silver Shield Association who held a Thanksgiving food drive

Great Expectations

What’s your idea of Senior Living? With an array of amenities and services, a dynamic social circle, and just the right amount of care, great Assisted Living means greater independence. Write your next great chapter! Limited apartments remaining.

Schedule a visit and ask about our exclusive Winter Rates!

shop

KNITS

SPARKLE

BOHO

BLING

PLAIDS

S P R I N G

Our eye-opening guide to the season’s budding trends

AWA K E N I N G

by HANNAH DEELY

1

2

4

SEQUIN STUNNERS

5

3

1 ganni Velvet Sequin Blouse, $375; ganni.com // 2 asha by ashley mccormick Glitter Clutch, $225, Greenwich; ashabyadm.com // 3 michael kors collection Sequined Pleated Shorts, $1,890, Greenwich; saks.com // 4 jimmy choo Mesh Slingback Pumps with Paillettes, $1,175; jimmychoo.com // 5 maje Sequin Embellished Jeans, $445; us.maje.com // 6 tory burch Full-length Sequin Skirt, $1.498, Greenwich; toryburch.com // 7 stella mccartney Falabella Tiny Crystal Cage Tote Bag, $2,550, stellamccartney.com

Get that pre-summer sparkle with our flashy favorites brandon maxwell monse

6

7

3

isabel marant

PEACE, LOVE, AND BOHO

The trend we all adore, with a ’70s flare

1 farm rio Short Sleeve Cotton Romper, $210, Norwalk; nordstrom.com // 2 ba&sh Leather Fringe Adjustable Strap Bag, $395, Greenwich; ba-sh.com // 3 we the free Floral Embroidered Jeans, $228; Westport; freepeople.com // 4 miu miu

Oversized Metal Frame Sunglasses, $517, Greenwich; sunglasshut.com // 5 veronica beard Amelia Shirt, $468 and Wide-Leg Jeans, $598, Greenwich; veronicabeard .com // 6 la double j Crepe de Shine Sylph Dress, $1,290, Westport; shop. mitchellstores.com // 7 ulla johnson Esti Clog in Sierra Python, $625; ullajohnson.com

7 4 2 1

5

6

7

1 2 3

Let the sun shine through with the newest knotty trend

1 prada Large Crochet Tote Bag, $2,050, Greenwich; saks.com // 2 rails Knit Hazel Top, $168, Old Greenwich and Westport; thefredshop. com // 3 escvdo Musa Maxi Dress, $1,300; escvdo.com // 4 staud Vienna Sweater $395 and Wolfgang Skirt, $295, Norwalk; bloomingdales.com // 5 ba&sh Striped Farfaela Sweater, $275, Darien dariensportshop.com // 6 sandro Crochet Top $445 and Knit Trousers $395; us.sandro-paris.com 6

elie saab

ralph lauren

CHECKMATE

The official pattern of spring ? We think so!

1 loeffler randall Deanie Blue Gingham Tote, $175; loefflerrandall.com // 2 rebecca taylor Gingham Twill Embroidered Bustier Tank $390, Trouser $450, Norwalk; nordstrom.com // 3 staud Katie Gingham Midi-Dress; $225, Greenwich; saks.com // 4 burberry Mews Check Slide Sandal $790, Norwalk; nordstrom. com // 5 sunshine tienda Paulina Gingham Palm Hat, $129; sunshinetienda.com // 6 rosie assoulin Draped Stretch-Cotton Midi Skirt, $1,195; modaoperandi.com

2

3 6 5 4 1

longchamp

FULL BLOOM

1 pomellato Rose Gold Iconica Diamond Ring, $5,500, Greenwich; betteridge.com // 2 mastoloni 14k Yellow Gold Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Charm Necklace, $750, Fairfield; hcreidjewelers.com // 3 verdura 18K Yellow Gold and Amethyst Whisk Ring, $14,500 Greenwich; famillegreenwich.com // 4 pasquale bruni 18K Rose Gold Lunar Garden Green Agate & White Moonstone Diamond Pavé Flower Ring, $2,800, Greenwich; manfredijewels. com // 5 peter suchy jewelers Diamond and Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace, $2,240, Stamford; petersuchyjewelers.com // 6 vintage hermes by steven fox jewelrs $59,850, Greenwich; stevenfoxjewelry.com // 7 shreve, crump & low Pavé Cut Diamond Leaf Dangle Earrings, $9,100, Greenwich; shrevecrumpandlow.com // 8 jl rocks 14K Yellow Gold Blue Topaz Tower Earrings, $2,200, Westport and Greenwich; jlrocks.com // 9 ondyn Voyage Diamond Cuff Bracelet, $5,000, Westport; lbgreen.com // 10 russ hollander master goldsmith Cushion-Cut Diamond and Sapphire Ring, $38,600, Stamford; 203-363-2200

Our hand-picked arrangement of this season’s most stunning jewelry 2 8 6 1 3 7 5 9

go

by kim-marie galloway

PLANNING A EUROPEAN VACATION?

You’ll want to read this first

FLYING BY THE RULES

By now we all know to check our passports to make sure they don’t expire within six months of our planned return to the United States. But this year the rules are getting a little tricker.

If you’re planning to travel to the United Kingdom, you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization. The U.K. “Brexited” in 2020, and the country is the first to institute new rules for foreign visitors.

To enter the U.K. (which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), even if you’re only changing planes, you must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization. It’s not a visa, it’s simply an authorization that will be linked to your passport and valid for two years—meaning you can enter and exit repeatedly within the two-year period.

Your travel details are not needed. You can apply just knowing that you’ll be transiting through or visiting the U.K. in the next two years. The U.K. is the first to implement such a system, but other European Union countries are working on enacting similar practices.

getaway

ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION YOU’LL

NEED:

megan

A horizontal JPEG of your

• An email address

• A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay—the cost is £ten (roughly $13)

• A JPEG of yourself that meets all the requirements. This is harder than you think. It must show your upper body, shoulders and head; be in front of a light background with no objects in frame; no shadows or light reflecting from your eyes. (It took me six attempts before I uploaded a photo that met the requirements.)

• Apply at apply-for-an-eta. homeoffice.gov.uk or download the app. The approval process can take up to three business days, however, mine was approved in an hour.

HEADING TO OTHER EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS?

Europe is launching its Electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) this year—though it has already been delayed many times since it was first announced in 2020. The new system will be implemented in the Schengen countries. Schengen refers to a group of countries who agreed to border-free travel for their citizens in 1985 (it was signed in Schengen, Luxembourg).

There’s nothing you need to do other than scan your passport at the electronic border control and provide the requested biometric information (a face scan or fingerprint). The system will replace passport stamps and make it easier to catch those who overstay their allowed time in a country. Even if you don’t require a visa or have a short-stay visa, you are only allowed to stay 90 days during any 180-day period.

Six months after the EES is fully launched, Americans and other non-EU travelers will need to apply through the European Travel Information and

Security controls in the Schengen area

Authorization System (ETIAS). Though ETIAS been in the news for years, it has yet to be launched. The requirement for approval will not happen until all countries are online with the EES, which has been repeatedly delayed. Check the travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en to see when it finally goes live.

CHEAT SHEET OF SCHENGEN COUNTRIES

All members of The European Union, with the exception of Cyprus and Ireland:

AUSTRIA

BELGIUM

BULGARIA

CROATIA

THE CZECH REPUBLIC

DENMARK

ESTONIA

FINLAND FRANCE

GERMANY GREECE HUNGARY ITALY

All four members of the European Free Trade Association ICELAND LIECHTENSTEIN NORWAY SWITZERLAND

LATVIA LITHUANIA LUXEMBOURG MALTA THE NETHERLANDS POLAND PORTUGAL ROMANIA SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA SPAIN SWEDEN

Citizens from EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

DESIGNER-APPROVED DESTINATIONS

All other travelers

Before Traveling

No requirenments In need of visa: request a visa

Not requiring a visa: request travel authorisation online through ETIAS

At the Border Crossing

Individuals are checked against relevant databases.

Individuals are checked against relevant databases.

Complience with Schengen entry conditions is checked. Entry or refusal of entry is registered in the entry/exit system.

When leaving

Individuals are checked against relevant databases.

Individuals are checked against relevant databases.

Exit is registered in the entry/exit system.

Irregular arrivals

Individuals are :

Checked against national, European and international databases

Identified and fingerprinted Returned home if they have no right to stay in the Schengen area

gagnon

Independent Style

REGINA ANDREW

Polly chandelier; $1,150. Chloe Winston Lighting Design, Norwalk; chloewinstonlighting.com 1

2

SUNPAN

Jeno dining chair; $398. France & Son, New York; franceandson.com

3

JOHN ROBSHAW

Atulya moss duvet set; starting at $545. Fig Linens and Home, Westport; figlinensandhome.com

FROM MARTINI TO MOODBOARD, ADD A SPLASH OF OLIVE

by megan gagnon

4

BREVILLE Barista Express ® Impress espresso machine in olive tapenade; $799.95. Crate & Barrel, Westport; crateandbarrel.com

5

JOON LOLOI Rosamund sofa in luster olive velvet; $3,299. joonloloi.com

“our kelp green is one of our most popular colors and the crisp shapes of the campina desk— made in our rhode island factory—are a perfect canvas.”

—jonathan glatt, ceo & creative director, o&g studio

7

WORLDS AWAY Fortune three drawer side table; $2,280. Beehive, Fairfield; thebeehive fairfield.com

1

3 KNOCK! KNOCK!

5

STYLE STARTS AT THE FRONT DOOR

—daniel rappaport, architectural hardware manager, interstate design center

1 ROCKY MOUNTAIN HARDWARE

Rectangular entry set with Baker door knob; $1,370. Interstate Design Center, Greenwich, Westport; interstatelumber.com

2 LUXELLO Round touch brass doorbell; $94. luxello.com

3 GARDEN GLORY Pearl ribbon door knocker; $129. gardenglory.com

4 THE URBAN ELECTRIC CO. Arcade light; starting at $1,681. urbanelectric.com

5 STUDIO ANANSI Doormat; $24.95. CB2; cb2.com

6 DESU DESIGN Pendulum door knocker in brass; $725. desudesign.com

“the front door is the focal point of your home. adding the right door handle, knocker, or even a mail slot can be like jewelry, giving your door that wow factor.” 4 2 8 6 9 7

7 SCHOOLHOUSE

Post-mounted mailbox; $498. schoolhouse.com

8 CLAY IMPORTS House numbers; $11 each. clayimports.com

9 GOOGLE

Nest doorbell in Ivy; $179.99. The Home Depot, Fairfield; homedepot.com

eat&drink

TRUE BREW

A NEW LOCAL HAUNT HAS THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR FUN, CASUAL DINING

by

What’s on tap at the new Greenwich Brewing Company is something we’ve all been craving: elevated pub fare at reasonable prices. The approachable, comfort-food menu includes award-winning fried chicken, wings, smash burgers, salads and, of course, locally-made beer plus vodka seltzers, juices and sodas. On the drinks menu, there’s a list of “four-packs to go”—a hint at the fact that Greenwich Brewing is not only a

stand-alone pub but also a beverage brand. You can bring home a four-pack, purchase the beer in stores around town or order it at local restaurants (Hinoki, Miku, Polpo and more) and clubs (Milbrook and Innis Arden). The list of vendors continues to grow.

“I’ve been saying for years that Greenwich needs a brewery,” says Randy Kemka, who’s been working in the beer space for more than a decade and is one of the owners along with a

group of families who also live in town. With his expertise and years of planning, Randy and his partners managed to launch our first brewery restaurant and beer and beverage line at the same time. “We wanted to bring really good food at good prices. It shouldn’t be so damn expensive to feed a family. This is something regular families can enjoy.”

On a recent chilly Friday evening, the place was just about full at 5:30 p.m. with a mix

mary kate hogan • photography by venera alexandrova

Scan here for more great places to EAT

above: Co-owner Randy Kemka's wife Jenn serves up jumbo chicken wings • In addition to the 11 beers on tap, brews are available in four packs to go

of families with kids, couples and a group of guys who looked like they just got out of work, toasting the weekend over different beers. The space houses a bar as well as high-top and regular tables. Wood-lined walls keep the place cozy, while twin TVs welcome customers to linger over an IPA or CT Lager and watch sports.

For those who want drinks and bites rather than a full meal, the sizeable list of starters will satisfy. We loved the crispy “Greenwich Truffle” fries lightly coated with parmesan cheese and herbs, and the pickle fries, which look like regular fries but are made of pickles and served with two dipping sauces. Though the menu skews toward indulgence, there are greens available, too, and we enjoyed the Greenwich Salad, a simple mix of kale and arugula with grape tomatoes, cucumber and red onion.

By far my favorite part of our meal came from the “King of the Coop” section of the menu, which features fried chicken that I later learned is a recipe created by a Southern chef who won “Best Fried Chicken” for six years in a row. This is the real deal: tenders of meat inside a crunchy, seasoned coating that can be ordered on a potato roll, a wrap, with pimento cheese (the Dirty Bird) or just on its own with pickles, fries and king sauce. You pick the level of spice you prefer from basic Country (salt & pepper) to Nashville Hot. We opted for the latter, which was the perfect degree of spiciness, easy to enjoy and not a heat that lingered. All entrées are served on metal trays, very casual style. Also there’s a “Jr. Sailors” menu for little ones.

Pairing a beer or another drink with your food is definitely part of the fun. Most of the beers have a nautical or sailing-themed name, referencing our town’s coastal location, and all are available as small pours (five-ounce and eight-ounce) as well as pints, to encourage sampling. When asked to name his favorite GB beer, Randy says, “That’s like trying to pick your favorite child!” But he noted that the CT Lager is an easy-drinking, crisp, clean lager that’s popular with people who aren’t into craft beer or IPAs. Cardinal Red is the aptly named amber ale (the owners are big GHS Cardinal fans), while the Hop Anchor IPA is a hazy, juicy pale ale. An English brown ale, a porter,

a German lager and a hard cider round out the list of brews that will change regularly.

There are wines by the glass and non-alcoholic sodas and juices as well as Cosmix, vodka-based fruit drinks. Try the Painkiller, which riffs on the island cocktail with tropical flavors of pineapple, tangerine and coconut, but lighter and more refreshing than the original. Randy says he worked closely with brewers and industry talent to develop the best recipes. In addition, “We went through lots of research and development—drinking,” he says with a laugh. Cheers to hard work that pays off. G

GREENWICH BREWING COMPANY

109 Greenwich Avenue, 203-485-0400;

Greenwich Brewing Company beers and Cosmix drinks can be purchased at Glenville Wine & Spirits, Rock’s Wine & Spirits and Old Greenwich Wine Merchants. greenwichbrewingcompany.com

clockwise from above: General manager, Dawn Silver • Co-owners Randy Kemka and Kent Kolbig • Chicken Cobb Salad • Tender Box: two jumbo tenders with crispy fries

g–mom

by eileen bartels

READ ON

A ROUND-UP OF SOME HOT NEW NOVELS THAT ARE GENERATING A LOT OF BUZZ

BROKEN COUNTRY

By Clare Leslie Hall

A love triangle unearths dangerous, deadly secrets from the past in this thrilling tale perfect for fans of The Paper Palace and Where the Crawdads Sing. Long-buried secrets become public when a young woman’s former lover returns to her hometown with his young son. Equal parts romance and mystery, this is a novel you won’t be able to put down or forget—it’s perfect for book clubs.

KATE & FRIDA

By Kim Fay

From the author of the bestseller Love & Saffron, this bright and comforting novel follows the surprising friendship between two young women in 1990s Seattle and Paris. When 20-something Frida writes to a bookshop in Seattle while living in Paris, she never anticipates striking up the friendship of a lifetime with the bookseller Kate. Their friendship redefines both of their lives and boldly shapes the direction of their futures. This novel is a love letter to bookshops and booksellers, the passion we bring to life in our 20s and those last precious years before the internet changed everything.

ONE GOOD THING

By Georgia Hunter

From the New York Times bestselling and local author of We Were the Lucky Ones, this unforgettable story of hardship and hope, courage and resilience, follows one young woman’s journey through war-torn Italy. Lifelong friends Lili and Esti are forced to make an impossible decision in 1940 under Mussolini’s Racial Laws. Esti convinces Lili to flee to a convent in Florence for safety and, most importantly, to protect Esti’s son when she cannot. This is an epic and unforgettable tale of courage, survival and friendship.

WE ALL LIVE HERE

By Jojo Moyes

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate: a broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a career in a downward spiral, a complicated love life, a house that is falling apart and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. When her real father appears on her doorstep after 35 years of estrangement, Lila discovers unexpected lessons about forgiveness and family. Perfect for anyone who loves complicated family sagas.

By Fiona Davis

From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back. Told in dual timelines, this book explores the connection between Charlotte, introduced to the reader while studying anthropology in 1930s Egypt and Annie, a fashion intern in 1970s New York. The duo is forced to work together to discover the truth behind the disappearance of a valuable artifact from the Met Gala. How far will both women go to find the truth, and at what cost?

We love local bookstores for their curated recommendations. The team at Athena Books in Old Greenwich is filled with passionate readers and shares with us their favorite new books released in 2025, so far. You can purchase them at the store (228 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich) or online at athenabooksog.com. You can also follow the shop @AthenaBooksOG to check out other recommendations, author events and gift ideas for every occasion.

THE STOLEN QUEEN

Academic instruction and sports camps for students in Pre Kindergarten through Grade 12.

bwick.org/summer

MARCH ING ALONG

WHAT’S GOING ON IN AND AROUND TOWN THIS MONTH

No. 1 GOING GREEN

Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Join in on one of Greenwich’s most beloved traditions—the St. Patrick’s Day Parade It begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 23 at the Town Hall south parking lot, marches north on the Post Road to Greenwich Avenue and continues down to Steamboat Road, where it ends. Note that parking restrictions start at 10 a.m. There will be no parking on the east side of Greenwich Avenue from West Putnam to Steamboat Road and no parking on the west side of Greenwich Avenue from Bruce Place to Steamboat Road. greenwichhibernians.org/parade

by layla lisiewski

No. 2 HOW SWEET IT IS

Satisfy your sweet tooth and head over to Greenwich Land Trust at 370 Round Hill Road from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 1. The tradition of tapping maple trees for sap dates back to the indigenous people of the Northeast and was adopted by incoming European colonists. Join in on Maple Sugar Day at the Mueller Preserve to learn about how the sweet stuff transforms from sap to syrup. As a bonus, the Dough Girls pizza truck will be on site for this fun family event. Pets are not allowed, and pre-registration is required. gltrust.org

No. 3 MIX & MINGLE

The 2025 PILLAR Summit powered by The Local Moms Network will be held on Friday, March 28 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. Erika Ayers Badan, CEO of Food52 and former CEO of Barstool Sports, will deliver the keynote speech. The event will also include a series of motivational speakers, networking opportunities, vendors, educational experiences and breakout sessions. PILLAR Summits are curated to inspire local moms (business owners, working professionals and moms planning to join the workforce) who are eager to grow their careers, businesses and pursue their dreams. greenwichmoms.com

No. 4 GET COOKING

Warm up from the chill of March with a hearty, healthy and easy meal. Thanks to Kathleen Ashmore, professional chef and cookbook author, for sharing her turkey meatballs with broccoli recipe. The best part? You probably have everything you need in your pantry and freezer.

Turkey Meatballs with Broccoli

Yield: About 40 golf-ball-sized meatballs

Ingredients

• 10 ounces frozen broccoli, defrosted

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ¾ cup unseasoned breadcrumbs (fresh or storebought panko-style)

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon dried basil

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tablespoons milk of choice (almond milk for dairy free)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 pounds ground dark meat turkey

• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon cracked pepper

• olive oil

Instructions

1. On a large cutting board, finely mince the defrosted broccoli florets. It should be

close to a purée texture so that the broccoli blends into the meatballs.

2. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.

3. Line the bottom of a large sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.

4. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix gently.

5. Using a small ice cream scoop, measure out the meatballs and roll into balls.

6. Place on sheet pan.

7. Drizzle lightly with oil

8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

9. Serve meatballs with a sauce for dipping or over spaghetti. G

Every month Layla Lisiewski, Greenwich mom of four and founder of Greenwich Moms and its parent company, The Local Moms Network, shares some of her favorite things to do—from seasonal activities to can’t-miss events. Follow @greenwich_moms on Instagram, sign up for the newsletter and check out the calendar at greenwichmoms.com.

FEB 18 - MAR 8 MAR 25 - APR 12

by Karen Zacarías directed by JoAnn M. Hunter

An outrageous comedy about culture clash and bad behavior.

The Next Generation of Dance, under the artistic direction of Francesca Harper.

by Paul Slade Smith directed by Mark Shanahan adapted from Ferenc Molnár’s“Play at the Castle.”

Production Supporter: Cherie Flom Quain

MAY 1 MAY 3 MAY 19 TWO PERFORMANCES! Recommended for ages Pre-K through 3

A

audience Q&A, and book signing with the bestselling author and humorist.

Photo credit: Anne Fishbein

Photo credit: Nir Arieli

money matters

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

DO YOU NEED A PUBLIC ADJUSTER?

Last year, when a tree limb ripped the wires near a Westport home, the wires grounded out, sparks ignited the roof and, in a flash, the house was in flames, fire and water destroying 60 years of possessions accumulated by the elderly homeowners.

Over in Weston on Thanksgiving Day, inclement weather led to a turkey fry in the garage, sparking a series of tragic events that gutted a $4 million, 10,000-square-foot home. A day later, the structure was bulldozed to the ground, the family’s belongings a pile of ash.

While no price adequately covers the emotional toil in such disasters, there is a financial reckoning for the property loss. That’s where insurance comes in.

When disaster strikes, your insurance company directs

adjusters—typically, one on salary and one independent contractor—to investigate the claim. The independent adjuster researches and delivers a report to the salaried adjuster, who settles claims based on that information.

“They’ll take on 20 or 30, maybe 100 claims,” reports W. Eric vonBrauchitsch, president of New England Adjusters in Fairfield, adding that the more claims independent contractors process, the more they’re paid.

That haste may not bode well for a policyholder hoping to collect the most money possible. Consider another option: a public adjuster who represents you, the policyholder. Public adjusters navigate your claim, build a case for damages and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. In return, you pay them an average of 10 percent of the claim.

VonBrauchitsch entered the public adjuster business 38 years ago at the behest of his fatherin-law, an attorney representing insurance companies in fraud and arson cases. At the time, vonBrauchitsch was a civil engineer who had worked with the Department of Transportation following the Mianus River Bridge collapse, and helped in the aftermath of

SAFETY IN THE CLOUD

the deadly collapse of L’Ambiance Plaza in Bridgeport.

These days, he represents all manner of clients: “Commercial, residential, industrial. Floods, fires, hurricanes. You name it,” says vonBrauchitsch, whose scanners and pagers are on alert 24 hours a day, and who has spent countless hours with grieving disaster victims. Like most public adjusters, he’s part therapist, justice of the peace, private investigator, civil engineer and negotiator.

Often, the claims process begins with drone footage capturing the scope of the damage. “It’s a lot easier to see, and you don’t have to worry about falling through the roof,” he says. Then it’s time to quantify, catalogue and price each damaged item. “It’s like a forensic science. If something is melted down in the kitchen, you might know it’s an appliance, but what was it? You sort of recreate it.”

Next comes the estimate. “You’re supposed to write the estimate the way you see it. You’re not trying to pull the wool over their eyes. It’s all about the honor system.”

Lately, insurance companies have turned to out-of-state independent adjusters to assess claims. “They come in like a

hurricane, do what they do, and then they leave. Many don’t know the laws here,” and that has consequences, vonBrauchitsch says.

Connecticut’s “matching law,” for example, mandates that if a tree falls on one part of your roof or hail pelts your aluminum siding, the insurance company must pay for a full roof replacement or wrap your entire house with new siding, so that everything matches. Licensed members of the Connecticut Association of Public Adjusters understand these local housing regulations, costs and policies. Filing a claim is easier if you understand your coverage before disaster strikes. Review the declaration page that accompanies your policy. It outlines covered events and damages, whether you’ll be reimbursed for the value of lost property minus depreciation, or the cost of replacing that property. It notes which dwellings, property and structures are covered, along with dollar limits of that coverage. For your valuables not covered, get a rider for protection. As good as any adjuster is, their job is to get you every dollar to which you’re entitled, not to exceed the limits of your policy. G

When disaster strikes—whether a fire, theft or flood—residents can be left staring at ashes or empty shelves, trying to figure out what was lost, having to prove it was there to begin with. Act now to save yourself time and heartache later, vonBrauchitsch says. Record a video of your entire home. Go into the closets, the garage, the basement, the backyard—anywhere you have personal property. If you have a collection, record each item. Store a copy of that video in the cloud or in a safebox. Says vonBrauchitsch, “Inventory everything you have, from furniture to paint to floor covering.”

W. Eric vonBrauchitsch

We are looking for fantastic photos of Greenwich and Greenwich people to feature every month on our new back page. If you would like a chance to be published in Greenwich magazine and win $100 here’s what you should know:

• Photos can be whimsical, historical, serene, funny or beautiful but they all must be taken in Greenwich.

• Photos must be submitted digitally to editor@mofflymedia.com and be 300 dpi and 7 inches high or larger.

• We will need:

1 Photographer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail

2 Subject of the photograph (identify people in the photo)

3 Location of the photograph

4 Inspiration behind the photograph

5 Any interesting anecdote about the photograph or featured subject

We can’t wait to see your view of Greenwich!

ople

people&PLACES

It was an evening of glamour, caviar, champagne and celebration to toast the team at Shreve Crump & Low for 10 fabulous years on Greenwich Avenue. The company, established in 1796, is America’s oldest purveyor of the most luxurious collections of diamonds, jewelry, gems, watches and gifts. With another location in Boston, we are lucky they decided to make Greenwich home, too. shrevecrumpandlow.com »

1 Guests left with authentic gurgling cod pitchers 2 Guests raise a glass of the finest “French soda” 3 20-carat emerald-cut aquamarine antique diamond pendant 4 Brian Walker, Jill Botway, Ross Davies 5 Brian Walker, Antonella Walker, Olivia Walker Lemieux, Bradford Walker

Chantal Erenson

SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW / Greenwich Avenue

Matters of the Heart

Heart Care International celebrated 30 years of life-saving surgeries on impoverished children in developing countries. One very special child attended the event at Riverside Yacht Club with his family from Lima, Peru. This boy was born with a severe life-threatening defect and was operated on by Heart Care International when he was only seven days old. His parents were so grateful for his care that they named him after the two heart surgeons who performed his surgery, Dr. Robert Michler (Founder and Chairman of Heart Care International) and Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah. Little Roberto Ibrahim Nieri is now nine years old and thriving. Guests were profoundly moved with a birthday celebration for Roberto. Heart Care has saved the lives of more than 3,000 children. heartcareintl.org »

1 Henry-Alex Rubin, Sarah Michler Rubin, Sally Michler, Dr. Robert Michler, Alexandra Michler Kopelman, Will Kopelman 2 John Pless, Frank Fazzinga, Jack Newmark 3 Board of Directors of Heart Care International: Peter Richardson, Chris Combe, Howard Ward, Dr. Robert Michler, Susan Poland, Paul Ghaffari 4 Catherine Salyer, Kristin Custar, Stephen Salyer, Nicki Rose 5 Dr. Yaron Tomer, Dean of Albert Einstein College of Medicine Dr. Gitit Tomer 6 Mark Gormley, Caroline Witmer Gormley, Sabrina Burda deBernis, Edouard deBernis 7 Dr. Robert Michler, Roberto Ibrahim Nieri 8 Lauren Ghaffari, Mark Wagryn, Lauren Muse, Paul Ghaffari 9 Roger and Maria Smith, Chris and Christina Combe, Anna and Dan Powers 10 Gala Committee: Lindley Pless, Margaret Feldmeth, Joni Kimberlin, Denise Camacho, Alexandra Michler Kopelman, Anne Richardson, Sally Michler, Erica Tubridy, Sarah Michler Rubin, Lauren Ghaffari, Anne Ward, Nancy Fazingga, Lindsay Sheehy, Karena Bailey (missing: Lizzy Michler)

During tumultuous times, the law firm representing you matters.

Parrino|Shattuck, PC has a well-earned reputation for assisting clients in complex and high-asset matters. We will work together to identify your concerns and achieve your objectives.

Our experience includes the valuation of complex or unique assets, such as businesses, deferred compensation, stock options, art and automobile collections, and other similar assets. We also act as rescue counsel in situations where you are not satisfied with your current representation.

1 Kelly Beyrer, Sarah Kaspers, Keely Thune, Stacy

Higdon, Kathleen Renick, Jenifer

Bloodsworth, Sara Diressova 2 Stacy Higdon, Tiffanie Gray 3 Bibi Gentile, Amanda Schietzelt

4 A winter wonderland

5 Bobby and Jon Newman 6 Kendall Norton, Griff Harris 7 Patricia and Barrett Burns

Joanna Horan, Kathleen Renick

Jamie Tyndall, Ann Luke

Merry & Bright

The Enchanted Forest (TEF), hosted by the tireless ladies of the Junior League of Greenwich has been a highlight of the holiday season for nearly 50 years. The event is a three-day fundraising affair at the Bruce Museum. It’s fun for all generations— thematically decorated trees, crafts, gingerbread decorating, the Children’s Giving Shop—and, naturally, Santa makes a cameo. greenwich.jl.org »

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GREENWICH / Bruce Museum

10 Kris Girulis, Ashley Faghan 11 Sara Davis, Stacy Higdon, Santa, Jamie Tyndall, Haley Restrepo 12 Bonnie and Dave Ridolfi 13 Laura Koch, Leslie Wank, Mary Beth Kean

14 Gingerbread house goals 15 Cricket and Jim Lockhart, Debby and Jim Lash 16 Santa, Ellen, Margaret and Brian Clark 17 Henry Hamilton, Sergio Forlini, Faith Logan, Garrett Graham 18 Kia Heavey, Santa, Police Chief James Heavey

Jessica and Scott Kapusta, Uma and Ram Krishnan

Nancy Waesche

Brown

Home Sweet Home

At Home in Greenwich recently held its annual benefit at the Delamar Greenwich. The fabulous evening was cochaired by Diane Jennings and Anne Driscoll. At Home honored the many contributions of Mike and Sally Harris and the Grace Notes, a local female a cappella group. Membership benefits of At Home include a vibrant social calendar and access to vetted personal and home services. It serves as a safety net allowing members to remain comfortably in their homes as they age. athomeingreenwich.org »

1 Monica Rodriguez, Chris Grillo 2 Diane Jennings, Anne Driscoll 3 Karen Fox, Donna Moffly, Susan Ness 4 Michelle Beltrano, Jennifer Kruper, Mary Lou Carraher 5 The Grace Notes: Judy Gilmartin Willsey, Robin Edelston, Katie Stallard, Claire Cohen, Laura Pavlovich, Katie Vairo, Natasha Kloster, Jennifer Andrews, Anne Marcus 6 Marv Berenblum, Lise Jameson 7 Marylin Chou, Joy Rendahl, Connie Clephane

Shifman-Deibler, Sam

e came for the jewels, but all eyes were on the one and only Brooke Shields at Betteridge jewelers. The stunning and successful icon was in town for the Greenwich launch of her jewelry collection, Luminous by Brooke with Robert Procop. The line is inspired by the celestial beauty of the sun, stars and planets using amethyst, blue topaz, peridot, rose quartz, white quartz, pink and white sapphires and white jade. All proceeds from the sales of the collections benefit charities close to Brooke’s heart. »

Welcome to John’s Island. A cherished ocean-to-river haven enjoyed by generations who have discovered the undeniable allure of life by the sea in Vero Beach, Florida. A picturesque seaside landscape and near perfect climate complement the serene offerings, each of which combine luxury with traditional appeal, architectural details, spacious living areas, and lush grounds. Discover the ideal place to call home with beachside bliss in Florida...

1 Sue Bodson, Ginger Stickel, Brooke Shields, Wendy Stapleton 2 Matthew Shields, Vice President of Retail at Watches of Switzerland Group 3 Betteridge glows

few pieces from Brooke’s collection 5 Ali Gray, Brooke Shields

Medical Changemakers

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) recently held its annual Autumn Benefit at Gotham Hall in New York City chaired by Greenwich resident Lois Kelly and supported by the Autumn Benefit Committee. This signature event aims to raise vital funds for medical education and research initiatives. The evening honored four outstanding individuals: Patty and Jay Baker, Dr. Mary Crow and the late Dr. Howard Anthony Rose. Special guest Martha Stewart delivered inspiring remarks, adding to the night’s excitement. Thanks to the many wonderful supporters that evening, including a remarkable $1 million commitment from Patty and Jay Baker, nearly $2 million was raised to enhance research, training and academic programming at HSS. hss.edu »

1 Jay and Patty Baker, Lynette Buck, Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi 2 Marina Kellen French, Dr. David Helfet, The Honorable Joyce Sparrow, Cynthia Sculco 3 Anne, John, Ellen and James Rose 4 Sanam Lakhani, Jennifer Marie Taylor 5 Dr. Stavros Memtsoudis, Dr. Kathryn DelPizzo

Austin Kaidi, Nathan Varady, Dr. Matthew

Roberts, Ryan Thacher

Dr. Bryan Kelly, Martha Stewart, Lois Kelly

Bill Cowher, Veronica Stigeler

HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY / Gotham Hall, NYC

Stronger Together

The 19th-annual Walk/Run for Abilis at Tod’s Point had a tremendous turnout for this “friend-raiser.” This year’s ambassador was Sam Parks, an Abilis community member who began his journey in the organization’s REACH program (REACH stands for: Residential, Education & Employment, Activities, Community and Health). Abilis supports more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families and is a leader in providing state-of-the-art services for the special needs community in Fairfield County. abilis.us G

ABILIS / Tod’s Point

1 Liam Westlund 2 Erica Blair, Sam and Lewis Parks, Nicole Konatsotis 3 Catherine Polisi 4 Amy Montimurro (standing left), Billy Blanks Jr. (standing middle) with The Dance Pointe dancers 5 Melanie Luchetta, Theo Brown 6 On your mark, get set, go! 7 Amy Montimurro, Mike Custar, Jenny Patchen, Catherine Polisi 8 Susan Lug, Susan Bolgnino, Dr. Brian Yomtove 9 Tom and Caroline Luz 10 Billy Blanks Jr. 11 Jocelyn and Mili Avidan

Audrey was born and raised in Greenwich and Pepper in St. Louis. Both attended New England colleges and headed out west after graduation, where they met through mutual outdoor enthusiast friends. However, Audrey was living in Ojai, California, and Pepper in Boulder, Colorado. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit, when they found themselves working remotely at a friend’s Montana getaway, that romance blossomed. The pair dated for three and a half years before becoming engaged. Pepper proposed to Audrey on their sailboat, “Sea Scout,” while cruising the Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara with friends.

The groom’s godfather, Dr. Paul Simmons, officiated at the ceremony at Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm in Santa Barbara, where the reception followed. Audrey, carrying a bouquet wrapped with her grandmother’s Christian Dior wedding veil, was escorted down the aisle by her father as Pepper’s brother, Nathan, played “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes.

The bride, daughter of Rob and Dee Dee Sherman of Greenwich and Nantucket, graduated from The Hotchkiss School and Dartmouth College. She works for Patagonia in Ventura, California.

The groom, son of Michael Dee and Inda Schaenen of St. Louis, graduated from John Burroughs School and Amherst College and received his master’s in education from the University of Colorado Denver. He is a grant writer and nonprofit consultant for OPD Consulting in Ventura County.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Big Sur, Nantucket and Majorca, Spain. They live in Ventura, California.

1 Audrey with her bouquet wrapped in her grandmother’s Christian Dior wedding veil 2 A span of four generations in matching Liberty of London ties: Wiley, George and Dean Sherman, Roger Day 3 The newlyweds at the ocean bluff ceremony 4 Julia Glynn, Wiley, Dee Dee, Rob and Audrey Sherman, the bride’s grandparents Phyllis “Nan” and Roger Day, Kelly, Dean and George Sherman 5 The groom’s brother, Nathan, on the bagpipes 6 Roger Day, Dee Dee Sherman, Phyllis “Nan” Day

7 The stunning reception 8 Wiley Sherman, Julia Glynn, Pepper and Audrey 9 Elegant seating 10 The groom’s grandmother, Susan Rudin, Pepper, Inda and Michael Dee 11 The groom, dressed as a 1780s British Shipwreck Captain, performs with band 12 David and Meline Dickson, Jamie Ardrey, Christine and Alex Seaver, Rob Adams, Wendy Ardrey, Sue Adams, Dee Dee Sherman, Jenny Collins, Lee and John Diamond, Wylie Collins 13 The glowing greenhouse reception 14 The bride’s brother Wiley toasts the couple 15 Guests dancing to the live band under rattan lanterns

By JILL JOHNSON MANN

RESILIENCE IN

Portrait photography by KYLE NORTON

aCHILD IN THE BAHAMAS, IN A LITTLE WOODEN HOUSE ON

FOUR CINDER BLOCKS WITH NO ELECTRICITY OR INDOOR

PLUMBING, READING THE ENCYCLOPEDIA BY THE LIGHT OF A KEROSENE LAMP; A STUDIOUS COLLEGE STUDENT IN SNOWY CANADA, SUMMER CLOTHES LAYERED UNDERNEATH A WINTER

COAT SHE SEWED HERSELF; A BLACK FEMALE CFO IN HER 30S, BEING PROMOTED TO MANAGING DIRECTOR; A MOM AND BUSINESSWOMAN, RUNNING A NONPROFIT IN GREENWICH AND SPENDING HER WEEKDAYS AS A FELLOW AT HARVARD.

ALL OF THESE IMAGES ARE FROM THE STORY OF RHONDA ELDRIDGE’S LIFE. IF ANYONE IS CAPABLE OF SPREADING KNOWLEDGE AND HOPE, IT IS THIS SUPERWOMAN WHO HAS MADE COS COB HER HOME FOR 20 YEARS.

IN 2016, AFTER WEATHERING THE STORM OF THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS—AND WATCHING OTHERS CAPSIZE DURING THAT TIME—RHONDA LAUNCHED HARNESS

ALL POSSIBILITIES (HAP), A 501C3 THAT PROVIDES “A CROSS-GENERATION NETWORK, INFORMATION AND TOOLS FOR THOSE DISPLACED IN WORK OR IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO EXPLORE, ADAPT AND EMBRACE A GROWTH MINDSET FOR 21ST CENTURY ENGAGEMENT.” IN SIMPLE TERMS, RHONDA HELPS PEOPLE GET “UNSTUCK.”

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Back in the 1970s, Rhonda was stuck. It wasn’t that she felt frustrated with her situation: no indoor toilet, no phone, a single mom who worked day and night, siblings who had to live with their grandparents on another island. “I didn’t know any other way, so I was fine,” says Rhonda. But what did not seem normal or even comprehensible to her was math. “I just didn’t get it,” she recalls.

Rhonda’s mother, who had an eighth-grade education, was determined to set up her daughter for a better life. They lived “over da hill” in the Grove area of the Bahamas, meaning in the ghetto. “She knew education was the way to get me out,” says Rhonda. “Mrs. Russell, an Austrian woman married to a Bahamian, came into our neighborhood selling encyclopedias. My mom bought a set with a $2 payment plan, $2 a month. That was my exploration into another world.”

Rhonda failed her exams for the private school her mom hoped she could attend. “I was atrocious at math,” says Rhonda. “My mom got me a tutor and said she would pay for one last entrance exam. Math finally clicked.”

Rhonda was admitted to the private school and was the top student for her five years there. She graduated at 16 and had to go to right to work. She took evening classes, hoping to work toward a banking degree. “It was when I got the top awards in banking that a professor said to me, ‘You need to try to get off the island and take your education to another level.’ So I started looking for scholarships,” says Rhonda. She landed a merit scholarship and chose Queens University in Canada, where all of her expenses were covered except clothing. “I made my own winter coat and bundled up in my summer clothes,” she says. Snow didn’t faze her. »

below: Rhonda at her childhood home in the Bahamas with her mother

“Rhonda helped me learn about blockchain and crypto, connected me with industry experts and enabled me to showcase my skills in an educational interview. Through her support, I was able to learn new skills and apply them in a practical setting.”

RISE AND FALL

Rhonda graduated a semester early from college and was recruited by PricewaterhouseCoopers in December of 1988. She worked as an auditor for a year and then was transferred back to the Bahamas, where she soon found herself lured by a job in the investment world. Her trajectory was rapid: from a CFO trading derivatives to the lead on acquisitions to managing director working with billiondollar hedge funds. She was commended for her competence but warned about her limitations: “‘You are a woman and you are Black,’ I was told,” says Rhonda. “But I just kept working hard. No one in that world looked like me. That didn’t matter to my clients. They liked me.”

In 2002, Rhonda was offered a managing director position in the U.S. She shared a cramped New York apartment with her husband (now the owner of Eldridge Wood Design in Stamford), their baby and two dogs. When a friend invited her to take a ride on Metro North and come on out to Riverside, she was hooked. Rhonda and her family rented a home in 2003 and bought a house in Cos Cob a year later. “We are still in that house today,” says Rhonda.

The financial crisis in 2008 is what planted the seed for HAP. “Our bank had blown up,” recounts Rhonda. “Everyone was having a hard time. People were being laid off. The train here in Greenwich went from this to this.”

She holds up her hands to demonstrate the shift from packed to a trickle.

At the same time, Rhonda was battling breast cancer, and then a year later, in 2009, thyroid cancer. “We lost a lot of our benefits. I was hustling to rebuild the company and keep my job. It was a convergence of everything that can go wrong,” says Rhonda, whose daughter was five at the time (she is now 23 and at UConn; her other daughter, adopted as a newborn in Florida, is 14). “You get to a point in life—I had a wonderful career—but I was starting to see the world from a different perspective,” she says. “I thought, Who am I? What is the meaning I’m giving to my life?”

She began shifting away from material trappings.

HARNESS ALL POSSIBILITIES

“I started meeting people and telling them who to call, and those introductions helped people to then get jobs. I’d meet here a lot.” She means Aux Délices in Riverside, where she sits now, in a casual mustard turtleneck and burgundy pants—like the colors of the leaves turning on the trees outside, just as they did after the market tumbled in 2008. And as they did the year after that. And the year after that … Life goes on. Rhonda wears a smile and has an easy demeanor. In Rhonda’s world, you pick yourself up and figure it out.

HAP's Inaugural event at Greenwich Library

Partnership Growth

I got involved with HAP in 2021 when I was recommended by a mentor from Code Cayman. HAP invited me to participate in their Blockchain Business School, where I had the opportunity to interview a speaker in front of a large virtual audience. Following that, HAP sponsored me to do an 11-week blockchain bootcamp. HAP has had a massive influence on my educational and career journey, shaping both my technical skills and personal growth. The program helped me develop key leadership and management skills and also reinforced my desire to build a career that merges technology with impactful community-driven projects.

Last year, Rhonda and I launched TechKYouth to bring awareness and education around emerging technologies to youth in the Cayman Islands. The existing programs focus on beginner coding and robotics, leaving a gap in more advanced tech fields like blockchain, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The twoday conference and hackathon featured speakers from prominent organizations such as Microsoft, Polkadot, the Cayman Islands Government, Walkers and more. We also wanted to highlight practical tech applications for local industries, helping youth understand how they could use these technologies on the island.”

—KATHRYN CORKISH Cayman Islands (currently at Newcastle University in the UK)

Since its inaugural event in 2017, HAP has hosted 150 events and reached 10,000 people.

“I found that people became stuck,” says Rhonda. “The skills they had for 20 years were not going to be the skills needed going forward.” She advised considering “mini careers” and becoming “a lifetime learner.” Rhonda had been delving into a new realm herself: blockchain (a technology for securely recording and sharing information). She had heard the term at a Barclay Rise event in 2014 and then spent several years building her know-how in a friend’s business. “We were using our traditional skills to reinvent ourselves,” she says. She envisioned helping others do the same.

With guidance from SCORE (a small business mentoring company), Rhonda incorporated HAP and a few months later secured 501c3 status. She held her first blockchain event at the early hour of 7 a.m. and 30 people came. She held an event at Trinity Church and at a packed room at Greenwich Library, with free food for attendees. People came from as far as New Jersey and D.C. “I think blockchain is the next big thing,” they would say, as to why they had made the trip. The Greenwich Sentinel published an article on her event: “Five Stages of Unemployment: From Grief into Hope.” Her days were packed with mentoring people. “If we don’t address the millions being displaced during a financial crisis, they will drop to the bottom of the social-economic strata,” says Rhonda, “and we’ll have a big problem. It’s not that people weren’t skilled; they had no hope.”

“Rhonda provided me with the chance to develop my marketing skills while supporting the blockchain conferences. I assisted with video content editing and social media for HAP’s 2024 Youth Blockchain Conferences— an enjoyable experience that helped me refine my marketing abilities.”

VIVAAN KOTIAN, STAMFORD

FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT

“Rhonda provided my

kids with valuable learning opportunities at HAP. They gained hands-on experience in a real work environment, which will significantly enhance their confidence and work ethic.”

NANDITA KOTIAN, STAMFORD

“Phelton learned a valuable lesson that when someone believes in you, you can harness all possibilities. HAP also helped him connect with likeminded people in the space, which opened his mind to various road maps.”

RACQUEL PETIT-FRERE, BAHAMAS

Riverside resident Will Rogers, HAP Director, met Rhonda through a Trinity Church networking group. “Rhonda saw firsthand at our meetings the need for folks in transition, particularly those who had been in the workforce for a while, to be reeducated and retrained with new and changing skills to reenter the financial technology industry. She was fascinated by blockchain and wanted to get people familiarized with it and trained. When I saw her vision for HAP, I was more than glad to do what I could to help her get started.”

HAP serves people of all ages. “At our first youth event, there was a four-year-old,” says Rhonda. “He’s now a very confident coder.”

Phelton Petit-Frere, a teen in the Bahamas, proved to be a coding wiz at 13, got a certificate as a blockchain developer and hosted his own event at 15, with encouragement from Rhonda. “I told him, I want you to go and find others in your community who are underserved. He asked, ‘What is underserved?’” She explained what that meant and that he was. Phelton then earned enough from the event to buy his own computer.

From orphans to teen moms to professionals searching for a new path, HAP and its Blockchain Business School bring hope. Examples of the 150 events HAP has held include: Cryptocurrencies, Use LinkedIn to Get Unstuck, Blockchain Shift: Digital ID, The Unique You, Youth Blockchain & AI Hackathon, Coding 101, and Exploring our Ethical Horizon (Regulations, Operational Due Diligence & Corporate Governance in a Digital World).

Between 2020 and 2022, HAP purchased devices for families in five countries who were disconnected. Rhonda has taken HAP to her native Bahamas. One of the programs HAP runs there, in conjunction with Microsoft, is TeachTeenMomsTech, an AI coding crash course for teen moms. HAP launched a TechKYouth event in the Cayman Islands last summer (see sidebar). “Our goal is to close the digital knowledge gap for teachers and students,” says Rhonda. In 2021, she was named among the Top 50 Caribbean Women In Tech by SiliconCaribe and appointed to the global board of directors of Help for Children.

As the framework for programs is fine-tuned in Caribbean markets, Rhonda is expanding her own skills as a fellow in Harvard University’s Advanced Leadership Initiative. There are 41 students in this year’s group, with access to any course at Harvard. Rhonda is working on a project focused on “the third chapter of our lives,” she says, “something that we want to do to use our wisdom to benefit the world. It is a spiritual journey; what is our ‘why.’”

Rhonda hopes to bring HAP’s course for teen moms to Stamford through Women’s Mentoring Network. “I’ve also spoken with a few digital asset firms in Stamford about hosting a Youth Conference in the area, perhaps at the Greenwich Library,” she says. “I’ve worked with students I have met via Women's Mentoring Network, hoping they can be co-designers of the event.”

Lana Gifas, Executive Director of Women’s Mentoring Network, comments, “It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Rhonda over the years. The students of Women's Mentoring Network benefitted from programs led by Rhonda that helped to close the digital divide during the pandemic, which was such a critical time for children. From providing devices to students to group sessions on blockchain and coding, HAP’s programs are so appreciated.”

Rhonda has never earned a salary for the tremendous amount of work she has put into Harness All Possibilities. “Having the courage to be with people in very low places—that gave my life meaning,” she says. G

FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT

Gardens of Solitude and Solace

BESPOKE MEDITATIVE GREEN SPACES—

OFTEN SECLUDED FROM VIEW—ADORN THE BEST-APPOINTED

PROPERTIES ACROSS FAIRFIELD COUNTY.

HERE, LOCAL LANDSCAPE EXPERTS SHARE HOW TO CREATE HIDDEN LUXE MOMENTS TO ENJOY ALL SEASON LONG.

by TOM CONNOR

Custom organic edible gardens are the specialty of Redding-based Homefront Farmers.

a slate-

mahoganyand-granite gateway leading to a retreat on the grounds of a 15,400-square-foot manor house in

above:

Mark Hicks of Elise Design Group installed

roof,

New Canaan.

MARCH 2025 GREENWICH

Following what, for some, has been a winter of our discontent, now is the spring of our contentment.

And perhaps more than ever, we are turning inward to our own backyards for solitude and solace. The natural pleasures of private spaces are healing and restorative.

“There’s always been a demand for privacy in Fairfield County—homeowners wanting to shut the outside world out when it comes to their property,” observes one Fairfield County landscaper. “But after this fall and winter, I think more people are viewing their yards as a sanctuary, with a definite increased sense of health and wellness.”

Residential yards possess the potential to be perfect places for recovering from the stresses of life in turbulent times. Simply stepping out the back screen door—the only screen permissible when solace is at stake—can itself be therapeutic: Birds and bees are the soundtrack, blossoming flowers the essential aromatherapy, fireflies and stars the lightshow.

There’s also a sense of safety in a yard with vertical green walls of evergreen hedges, fenced flower and vegetable gardens with seating for morning coffee or an evening glass of wine, and small, gated outdoor rooms for yoga, meditation or quiet conversation.

Numerous studies reveal that spending even brief amounts of time in nature can lower anxiety and stress, improve mood and cognition, and help with depression, post-traumatic stress and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorders. Recent research has found that children who live near green spaces experience less depression and exhibit better emotional behavior.

Yet, this is Fairfield County, where elements

of classic design and custom comforts count. Accordingly, this spring, local landscape designers are showing us how to carve out islands of serenity and sanity from the chaos outside the garden walls—and they’re doing it with grace and in great style.

THE RECOVERY ROOM

In the Greenfield Hill section of Fairfield, and working with Sandy Hook landscape designer Brook Clark, James Philbin of JP Philbin Landscapes & Nursery is creating what the homeowners are calling their “Recovery Room,” a wide, open area behind a magnificent party barn for family members and friends.

Whether the homeowners are seeking to recover from partying in the barn or from the tumultuous previous year in politics and public life isn’t known, but either way, health and welfare appear to be the objective.

“It could be the result of a post-pandemic mindset,” Philbin says. “But there also seems to be this uptick in demand for outdoor

above: Hidden garden moments, often accessible through gated entrances, offer respite throughout the Gold Coast. opposite: A secluded Silvermine sanctuary by Elise Design Group provides beautiful refuge from a long day at work.

saunas and spas.”

When completed sometime this summer, the Recovery Room is to feature a pool and separate, spacious patio, possibly under a pergola, with adjacent cold plunge pool and hot tub—a trend in requests for dual, polaropposite pools that’s being reported by other landscapers.

SECRET GARDENS

In Westport’s Compo Beach area meanwhile, Philbin and Clark teamed up to create a kind of oasis of privacy and serenity in the lower corner of a large property that itself is hidden from public view behind walls of tall arborvitae hedge. Even in the yard, one might not know the 20-foot-by-40-foot secret space is even there. That’s because of the “blind entry”—a narrow gap in one section of the surrounding five-foot-high hedge wall that’s hidden from view by an outer, overlapping hedge wall.

“What we’re trying to do is to create the

“There’s always been a demand for privacy in Fairfield County— homeowners wanting to shut the outside world out when it comes to their property.”

illusion of seeing the end of the property,” says Clark. “Guests can see hedge, but only the family knows there’s a secret garden inside!”

The hedge is Schwoebel upright holly, which has small, glossy, dark green leaves, is compact, deer-resistant and easy to maintain.

The interior of the 20-foot-by-40-foot space is covered in no-mow grass or eco-lawn—a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance fine fescue that can, but doesn’t have to be, mowed.

Still in progress with a projected finish date of sometime this summer, plans include the creation of a 10-foot-by-10-foot patio with bistro table and lights—small lights hanging from stainless steel wire strung across metal poles—of the kind found in open-air festivals in Italy.

Even mansions need small, private, outdoor retreats—and maybe more so than more intimate homes. For a former Wall Street investment banker in a 15,400-square-foot English manor in north New Canaan, Mark Hicks of Elise Design Group offset

“Most people want their garden to be like a salad ... they want lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers.”

Miranda Gould Client Operations Manager

from top clockwise: Homefront Farmers designs, constructs and maintains bespoke vegetable gardens for clients who want the best in yard-to-table dining. From early season greens through August’s star tomatoes, homeowners enjoy the freshest and most delish bounty.

the formality of the granite-paved entrance courtyard and imposing brick and stone façade with a handsome path around the right side of the house that meanders like a slowmoving stream to an unknown destination.

Past an airy woodland garden where Laurel and rose dance around lichen-covered rocks, Hicks constructed a high, slate-roof, mahogany and granite gateway that suggests an Easter rite of passage.

“To be interesting,” Hicks says, “there has to be a sense of separation—a threshold you have to cross over and a portal you have to pass through to get to the other side.”

What lies there is a small retreat in the form of a semicircular patio with a table and chairs hidden from neighbors’ views behind an ivy-clinging stone wall. It’s the perfect place for the owner—who now divides his time

between teaching and writing—to think and read, and hold quiet conversations.

THE BACKYARD SALAD BAR

Being able to step out the back door and pick enough greens and legumes for a fresh salad every night—from early spring well into the middle of autumn—is not only physically healthy but emotionally and psychologically rejuvenating.

Now in its 20th year, Homestead Farmers custom-builds handsome fenced edible plots so that homeowners can do just that, and more.

The company constructs bespoke herb and vegetable gardens in raised beds fully enclosed in frames and posts of aromatic, rot-resistant cedar, with fine wire netting to keep hungry critters out. Graveled paths thread the beds for

easy weeding and harvesting, often with space in the center for seating.

Every season, some weekend gardeners ask for trendy produce like blue potatoes or purple carrots. But the majority of customers look to Homefront Farmers for mainstay salad ingredients.

“Most people want their garden to be like a salad,” says Miranda Gould, Client Operations Manager for the Redding-based company. “You know, they want lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers. Week after week after week, we are growing lettuces all summer long.”

While vegetables constitute the main course, so to speak, for most clients, Homestead Farmers mixes in other flora for practicality as well as aesthetics.

“Generally speaking, we try to integrate a lot of flowers in with the veggies because

above: This backyard produce aisle by Homefront Farmers includes an exterior “window box” bed for pollinator plants to attract welcomed bees and hummingbirds and natural deterrents like garlic to scare off unwelcomed visitors like deer and destructive insects.

above: Beautifully shaped boxwood focal points take center stage in well-appointed gardens throughout the Gold Coast. below: Topiary, the art of shaping shrubbery, dates to the Middle Ages.

they bring in a whole bunch of wildlife like hummingbirds and bees,” says Gould. “You’ll get more vegetables when you have more pollinators in the garden, but I also think that when you walk into or sit in a garden, it can be a meditative experience, bordering on the spiritual!”

THE SHAPE OF PRIVACY AND TASTE

Evergreen hedges for privacy screens as well as courtyard and garden enclosures come in a variety of species—boxwood, holly, arborvitae, yew—each with its attributes. Many county residents delight in keeping them a cut above.

Sharpened pruning shears in the hands of experienced craftsmen and craftswomen can turn the geometry of ordinary shrubbery into the alchemy of topiary, the art of trimming and sculpting evergreens into classical forms and fantastical shapes. The practice dates to the Middle Ages; Levens Hall Topiary Garden in northwest England, where some examples are more than 300 years old, was installed by King James II’s gardener in 1695.

A beautifully shaped boxwood or yew can also serve as a focal point in a yard or the centerpiece of an outdoor “room.” Whatever its purpose, though, the sight of topiary on a residential property immediately suggests luxury, sophistication, taste and style.

Some of the finest examples of topiary can be found in Greenwich, where stately, formal homes are perhaps the most fitting canvases for classical topiary forms.

Sandy Lindh, founder of English Gardens and Design in Riverside, leads tours to famous and unique gardens in the British and French countrysides. But back home in Riverside, her team designs, installs and maintains elegant English-style gardens throughout Fairfield County that frequently include topiary.

One client of Lindh’s with a large house and separate guest cottage in backcountry Greenwich asked her to give the outbuilding the look of an English cottage with small boxwood knot gardens on either side of a graveled path to the door. Popular in the British Isles in the 1600s, knot gardens are low boxwood arranged in intertwining geometric patterns with herbs or flowers planted in the spaces between the hedges. Here, when tulips run their course in the early spring, annuals are planted for the summer.

On a 30-plus-acre estate in New Canaan, Lindh’s team spends a week each season pruning, reshaping and maintaining a topiary

“We do all our topiary by hand, because if you do it with a hedge trimmer it’ll shred the leaves and they’ll turn brown. It just takes time, and that’s fine.”

Sandy Lindh founder of English Gardens and Design

garden that’s been in place for many years. They use several types of pruning shears, including long-handled shears she brings back from England that allow her and team members to lean over plantings and shape them into diamonds, orbs, peacocks, doves, lollipops and pom-poms among other traditional forms dating back centuries.

“We do all our topiary by hand,” she says, “because if you do it with a hedge trimmer it’ll shred the leaves and they’ll turn brown.” The tools are sharpened and sterilized (to avoid cross-contamination of blight) for a clean, hard look. “It just takes time,” she adds, “and that’s fine.”

Elsewhere, more playful topiary can lighten even dreary days. Back on Greenfield Hill, the late Candy Raveis took the five-plus-acre hilltop property on which she grew up and, with husband Bill Raveis, transformed it into a showcase of border gardens, courtyards, orchards and topiary tableaux.

In one section, high boxwood hedges were sculpted into oversized armchairs—King and Queen chairs for the couple—that look comfortable enough to sit on. Beside them is a soft-looking boxwood in the shape of an oversized bunny, one of Candy’s favorite animals, and for centuries a European favorite. On warm evenings after work, the two would take glasses of champagne out to the setting and, seated on less-amusing but more practical chairs, talk about their respective days.

Outside the home’s conservatory, with views of the shimmering waters of Long Island Sound in the distance, lower boxwood was crafted into a sailboat with a bear at the helm. And why not? Beyond delighting the Raveis grandchildren, bears setting out to sea might be the perfect antidote to times that try men’s—and women’s—souls.

“If you have a garden and a library,” Cicero wrote, “you have everything you need.”

So, let’s take a favorite book out into the Secret Garden, or into the outdoor Recovery Room, or into the middle of the Living Salad Garden, and leave the lawn and disorder of the outside world outside. G

above: Hand-sheared geometric and whimsical creations give shape to posh pathways.

calendar

MARCH 2025

Flinn Gallery

The Flinn Gallery will host an opening reception for Biophilia on Thursday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. Biophilia features the work of six artists: Carol Bouyoucos, Loren Eiferman, Julie Evans, Heide Follin, Christina Massey and Sui Park. Curated by Ellen Hawley, the show explores the concept of biophilia, a term coined by Harvard naturalist Dr. Edward O. Wilson, referring to humanity’s intrinsic affinity for nature and life. Drawing inspiration from both real and imagined aspects of the natural world, these artists express reinterpreted landscapes and life forms through a dynamic range of materials, textures and colors. The gallery is on the second floor of Greenwich Library, 101 Putnam Avenue. flinngallery.com

ART & ANTIQUES

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-0198. Tues.–Sun. aldrichart.org

AMY SIMON FINE ART, 1869 Post Rd. East, Westport, 259-1500. amysimonfineart.com

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org

CANFIN GALLERY, 39 Main St., Tarrytown, NY, 914-332-4554. canfingallery.com

CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS, Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah, NY, 914-232-1252. Caramoor is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. caramoor.org

CAVALIER GALLERIES, 405 Greenwich Ave., 869-3664. cavaliergalleries .com

CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING, 299 West Ave., Norwalk, 899-7999. contemprints.org

CLARENDON FINE ART, 22 Main St., Westport, 2930976. clarendonfineart.com

CLAY ART CENTER, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, NY, 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org

DISCOVERY MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM, 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, 372-3521. discoverymuseum.org

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, 259-1598. fairfieldhistory.org

FLINN GALLERY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7947. flinngallery.com

GERTRUDE G. WHITE GALLERY, YWCA, 259 E. Putnam Ave., 869-6501. ywcagreenwich.org

GREENWICH ARTS COUNCIL, 299 Greenwich Ave., 862-6750. greenwichartscouncil.org

GREENWICH ART SOCIETY, 299 Greenwich Ave. 2nd fl., 629-1533. This studio school offers a visual arts education program for kids and adults. greenwichartsociety.org

GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 47 Strickland Rd., 869-6899. greenwichhistory.org

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

KENISE BARNES FINE ART, 1947 Palmer Ave., Larchmont, NY, 914-834-8077. kbfa.com

LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM, 295 West Ave., Norwalk, 838-9799. lockwoodmathews mansion.com

LOFT ARTISTS ASSOCIATION, 575 Pacific St., Stamford, 247-2027. loftartists.org

MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

MoCA, 19 Newtown Tpke., Westport, 226-7070. mocawestport.org

NEUBERGER

MUSEUM OF ART, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase, NY, 914-251-6100. neuberger.org »

Twists in the Passage by Heide Follin

Thursday, April 3, 2025

6:00 - 8:30 PM l Hyatt Regency Greenwich

Honoring Champion of Youth George Fox

Honoring

Community Impact Volunteers

Barbara & Joseph Havranek

Announcing 2025 Youth of the Year

Announcing David Ogilvy Award for Character, Kindness and Integrity

PELHAM ART CENTER, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham, NY, 914-738-2525, ext. 113. pelhamartcenter.org

ROWAYTON ARTS CENTER, 145 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton, 866-2744. rowaytonarts.org

SAMUEL OWEN GALLERY, 382 Greenwich Ave., 325-1924. samuelowen.org

SILVERMINE GUILD ARTS CENTER, 1037 Silvermine Rd., New Canaan, 966-9700. silvermineart.org

SANDRA MORGAN INTERIORS & ART PRIVÉ, 135 East Putnam Ave., 2nd floor, Greenwich, 629-8121. sandramorganinteriors.com

SORELLE GALLERY, Bedford Square, 19 Church Ln., Westport, 920-1900. sorellegallery.com

SOROKIN GALLERY, 96 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 856-9048. sorokingallery.com

STAMFORD ART ASSOCIATION, 39 Franklin St., Stamford, 325-1139. stamfordartassociation.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

TAYLOR GRAHAM GALLERY, 80 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, 489-3163. taylorandgraham.com

UCONN STAMFORD ART GALLERY, One University Pl., Stamford, 251-8400. artgallery.stamford.uconn.edu

YALE CENTER FOR BRITISH ART, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven, 432-2800. britishart.yale.edu

YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven, 432-0611. artgallery.yale.edu

YANKELL LEGACY GALLERY, 61 Studio Court., Stamford, 610-213-2749. yankelllegacygallery.com

Maritime Aquarium

Too cold for the playground? Take a trip to e Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and meet the sta ’s newest bestie, a seal named Mikey. He is the rst gray seal to live in the Aquarium and will reside in Pinniped Cove with harbor seals Rasal, Leila, Feisty, Gracie and Sono. Once fully grown, he can weigh up to 880 pounds and measure up to 10 feet in length. maritimeaquarium.org

Planned Parenthood

On Thursday, April 10, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) will hold its annual Spring Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency (1800 East Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich), beginning at 11 a.m. and virtually at 12:15 p.m. Political activist Stacey Abrams, the first Black woman gubernatorial nominee for a major party in U.S. history, will be the featured speaker. The Community Impact Award will honor the late Cecile Richards, longtime president of Planned Parenthood of America. Cochairing the event are Susan Beyman, Keri Cameron, Jane Carlin, Lindy Lilien and Mini Nunna. To register or make a donation online, go to ppsne.org/luncheon, contact 203-7522813 or email special.events@ppsne.org

CONCERTS, FILM & THEATER

AVON THEATRE FILM CENTER, 272 Bedford St., Stamford, 661-0321. avontheatre.org

CURTAIN CALL, The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford, 329-8207. curtaincallinc.com

DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport, 576-1636. dtcab.com

HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPITHEATER, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport, 345-2300, hartfordhealthcareamp.com

LECTURES, TOURS & WORKSHOPS

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-0198. aldrichart.org

AUDUBON GREENWICH, 613 Riversville Rd., 869-5272. greenwich.audubon.org

AUX DÉLICES, 231 Acosta St., Stamford, 326-4540, ext. 108. auxdelicesfoods.com

BOWMAN OBSERVATORY

PUBLIC NIGHT, NE of Milbank/East Elm St. rotary on the grounds of Julian Curtiss School, 869-6786, ext. 338

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org

CLAY ART CENTER, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, NY, 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org

CONNECTICUT CERAMICS STUDY CIRCLE, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. ctcsc.org

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, 259-1598. fairfieldhistory.org

FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY, On StageOne, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, 259-1036. fairfieldtheatre.org

GOODSPEED OPERA HOUSE, 6 Main St., East Haddam, 860-873-8668. goodspeed.org »

Stacey Abrams

Cristina Teuscher

Dr.

Cristina Teuscher

GREENWICH BOTANICAL CENTER, 130 Bible St., 869-9242. greenwichbotanicalcenter.org

GREENWICH LIBRARY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7900. greenwichlibrary.org

JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville, NY, 914-773-7663. burnsfilmcenter.org

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, 26 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

LONG WHARF THEATRE, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven, 787-4282. longwharf.com

RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 438-9269. ridgefieldplayhouse.org

RIDGEFIELD THEATER BARN, 37 Halpin Ln., Ridgefield, 431-9850. ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

SHUBERT THEATER, 247 College St., New Haven, 800-228-6622. shubert.com

STAMFORD CENTER FOR THE ARTS Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, 325-4466. stamfordcenterforthearts.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE, 25 Powers Ct., Westport, 227-4177. westportplayhouse.org »

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Grab that Kelly green Patagonia and head on over to Greenwich Avenue for the 49th Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade on Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m.

JOIN US

6:00 p.m.

HONORING

Cocktails and Silent Auction

Red & White Ball 2025

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025 | RIVERSIDE YACHT CLUB

Followed by Dinner, Program, Live Auction and Dancing

HUMANITARIAN HONOREE

Charles Goldstuck

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP HONOREE

Brescome Barton and the Magliocco Family

LIFETIME SERVICE HONOREE

Ross Ogden

To purchase tickets, sponsorships and journal acknowledgments, please visit scan the QR Code or visit redcross.org/mnynball

Opening Night Party

Opening Night Party Restaurant Week

Tuesday, April 1

6:00-8:30PM

Tony’s at the J House

Tickets: $95 Early Bird Sale (Limited tickets available. $125 regular price)

Mon, March 31 – Sun, April 6

KIDS’ STUFF MARCH 2025

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-4519. aldrichart.org

AUDUBON GREENWICH, 613 Riversville Rd., 869-5272. greenwich.audubon.org

AUX DÉLICES, (cooking classes), 23 Acosta St., Stamford, 326-4540 ext. 108. auxdelicesfoods.com

BEARDSLEY ZOO, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, 394-6565. beardsleyzoo.org

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH, 4 Horseneck Ln., 869-3224. bgcg.org

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org

DISCOVERY MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM, 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, 372-3521. discoverymuseum.org

DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport, 576-1636. dtcab.com

EARTHPLACE, 10 Woodside Ln., Westport, 227-7253. earthplace.org

GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 39 Strickland St., 869-6899. greenwichhistory.org

GREENWICH LIBRARY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7900. greenwichlibrary.org

IMAX THEATER AT MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, 966-9577. newcanaannature.org

RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE, 80 East Ridge Rd., Ridgefield, 438-5795. ridgefieldplayhouse.org

STAMFORD CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, 325-4466. palacestamford.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN, 303 West Ave., Mathews Park, Norwalk, 899-0606. steppingstonesmuseum.org

WESTPORT ARTS CENTER, 51 Riverside Ave., Westport, 222-7070. westportartscenter.org

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE, 25 Powers Ct., Westport, 227-4177. westportplayhouse.org G

advertisers index

WHAT A CATCH!

Last fall, our art director Venera Alexandrova and photographer Andrea Carson were out and about taking pics for our annual Welcome to Greenwich guide. That’s when they came across charismatic Larry Gonzalez of Larry’s Fishing Charters (located in Rudy’s Tackle Barn on South Water Street). Larry is the go-to guy for anyone who wants to get out on the water and cast a line. Fishing not your thing? No worries. You can book a cruise trip and just sit back and enjoy the view. Either way, you’re in good hands with Larry. G

Have a photo that captures a moment in Greenwich? Send it to us at editor@greenwichmag.com for a chance to win $100. Please write “photo submission” in the subject line.

photograph by andrea carson

Nationally eminent surgeons caring for you, their neighbors

Oren M. Tepper, MD

Director, Aesthetic Surgery; Director, Craniofacial Surgery, Montefiore Einstein and Associate Professor, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

From cosmetic procedures to craniofacial reconstruction to pediatric craniofacial and plastic surgery, Oren M. Tepper, MD, provides care that balances traditional aesthetic concepts with modern technology and minimally invasive techniques. A pioneer in stem cell therapy and 3D surgical innovation, his advances have revolutionized patient care and earned international recognition.

After graduating among the top of his class at New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Tepper trained at the

renowned Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, completing his plastic surgery residency as well as fellowships in craniofacial reconstruction and pediatric plastic surgery.

Dr. Tepper lives in Greenwich, provides specialized care from Manhattan to Connecticut and consults worldwide. He is acclaimed for his role in the separation of conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald, performing similar surgeries twice more in Brazil.

1455 East Putnam Ave. | Greenwich, CT 203-SURGEON (203-787-4366) specialtysurgeons.com