7 minute read
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
NOV/DEC 2022 / JONATHAN MOFFLY
WHERE WE STAND
We live in tumultuous times. A feeling of unabated change swirls around us with continuing Covid, inflation, a looming recession, the war in Ukraine and accelerating technologies we must adapt to every year. Toss in midterm elections shifting power between our two major parties, and we have unease.
Living in Russia, Japan, Australia, China, New Zealand and Thailand deepened my pride in our country—its resiliency and adaptability. I married a Russian whom I met while living in Tokyo on an exchange program from the University of Sydney. Our firstborn entered the world in Moscow. The political systems ranged across the spectrum from authoritarian with one-man or one-party rule to robustly democratic. Regardless of who governed, I learned that people are people. We value love and community. I made friends in all those countries.
Our responsibility as regional magazine media is to help the community thrive—to help people live better lives. At the top we celebrate what is good here—our neighbors, the culture, the history, things to do and places to go. And we tackle tough issues like domestic violence, bullying, addiction and women’s rights, in which we balance the hard realities with opportunities to make a difference. We highlight the people who truly want to make a positive difference in our lives, as in the Light A Fire awards for volunteers extraordinaire and unsung heroes. Moffly Media supports over 150 nonprofits by sharing their message or helping them raise money to address important needs not supported by government services. As the media world evolves with ever more streaming services, social channels and websites, there is one thing we at Moffly want to do—help us understand each other and improve quality of life.
Enter politics in this crazy-feeling, divisive time and take a more middle road on the hot button issues between the extreme left and extreme right. I’m proud of how our editors handle different opinions. In the early 2000s for a congressional race, one of our magazines in its Editor’s Letter leaned a bit toward one candidate, another for the other candidate, and the third right down the middle. Connecticut is regarded overall as a moderately liberal state. Yet today’s politics are more polarizing than I can remember in my lifetime, with the seeming disappearance of a middle majority— the moderate voices that bring us together. Radical conservative voices, according to studies sited by Politico, out-shout liberal voices in social messaging that goes viral. Radical liberal voices, while less effective, tout extremes of position equally divisive. It all keeps us from coming together.
The top midterm races all feature our local natives. For Congress, Jayme Stevenson (Darien) is facing off against Jim Himes (Greenwich). For the Senate, Leora Levy (Greenwich) is facing off with Dick Blumenthal (Greenwich). And for Governor, Bob Stefanowski (Madison) is facing off against Ned Lamont (Greenwich). All were successful prior to politics, and I respect all of them for their dedication. None I agree with entirely. For middle-of-the-roaders, it’s a tough place to be—whether politician or voter. So, this year, vote your conscience on who can bring people together for sensible moderation. But make sure to get out and vote to uphold freedom, safety, and to improve life for all who call this great country home.
Last year MRI Simmons conducted a thirdparty audience survey. You readers are ten times more engaged in making a difference in your community than the national average. Far beyond extraordinary, that’s unheard of for a region. You pack a punch—both locally and nationally. As your town magazine, we want to do best by you. We want to know your thoughts—your concerns, your passions, what’s important to you. We are here for you. Send us your ideas: editor@ncdmag.com.
We are your town magazine.
MANFREDI JEWELS
MANFREDIJEWELS.COM | @MANFREDIJEWELS
121 GREENWICH AVENUE, GREENWICH | 72 ELM STREET, NEW CANAAN
Specializing in luxury watches, jewelry and wedding rings, Manfredi Jewels has been a purveyor of fine jewelry for more than 30 years. Owner Roberto ChiapWATCHES BLANCPAIN BREGUET derway in the Greenwich shop as well, which will feature a new area for Vacheron Constantin, BULGARI Breguet, Blancpain and Zenith. GIRARD-PERREGAUX GLASHUTTE Holiday trends are on point at Manfredi this pelloni, who is an avid watch collector, recalls “turning my passion into my profession” when he partnered with Manfredi to open the Greenwich store in 1988.
Clients come here not only for the most-wanted luxury watches and jewelry, but also to discover something new. The Greenwich flagship stocks over 30 watch brands and specializes in artisan independents, while the New Canaan location carries sought-after names like Rolex, Tudor and Hermès.
To keep up with the demand in New Canaan, Manfredi is doubling the size of its store. The expanded space will include a dedicated section for Pomellato, a Milan-based brand known for colorful gem combinations and an international following. There is a renovation unGRAND SEIKO season, with effortless jewelry that can be worn HERMÈS daily. Clients will find everything from watches LONGINES OMEGA with unique watch dial colors to multi-hued ROLEX stackable bracelets, tennis bracelets/necklaces and TUDOR VACHERON CONSTANTIN ZENITH bracelet watches. Color wise, green, orange and red are big, and pieces are available in different finishes. “Both men and women are seeing a reJEWELRY BRANDS BUCCELLATI surgence of fantastic choices from many different CHOPARD brands, which are offering rose and even yellow ROBERTO COIN ESTATE JEWELRY gold on watches and bracelets,” says Chiappelloni. MARCO BICEGO When selecting a holiday gift, Chiappelloni MESSIKA recommends starting early, finding out the recipMIKIMOTO POMELLATO ient’s style, and picking out something sentimenTACORI tal. Sharing special details about the person you are shopping for will enable the Manfredi experts to help choose the perfect present. “We have over 100 years combined experience on our sales floor,” says Chiappelloni. “Our associates are good listeners who love to help clients find the perfect gift for that special occasion.”
VOCK AND VINTAGE
VOCKANDVINTAGE.COM | @VOCKANDVINTAGE
24 FIELD POINT ROAD, SUITE 3A, GREENWICH | 28 WEST 44TH STREET, SUITE 910, NEW YORK CITY
Vock and Vintage is a high-end jewelry salon and world leader in collectible, colored gemstones. They feature an assortment of timeless estate jewelry COLLECTIONS BULGARI CARTIER statement jewelry, an appreciation for Old World craftsmanship and a passion for collecting. VAN CLEEF & ARPELS “A big percentage of our client base are successAND OTHER WELL-KNOWN ful women self-purchasing,” says Vock. “Another such as Bulgari, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and other luxury brands known for style, quality and value. Customers appreciate the level of personal attention and custom work, which includes design solutions, as well as restoration and repair services.
In 1990 Vock and Vintage opened its first location in New York City, and after much success, debuted the Greenwich design salon in early 2021. The salons are a spin-off of ProVockative Gems, a family-owned gem business based in Manhattan. Vock’s husband Alex is a world-renowned specialist in precious gems and natural pearls, and the couple’s son Elias joined the firm in 2021. The family lives in New Canaan.
Vock and Vintage’s wide-ranging fans share a love for LUXURY BRANDS segment are men who not only love the giftgiving aspect of jewelry buying, but also appreciate the long-term benefits of having these hard assets.” This season, Vock and Vintage sees clients gravitating toward color and dressing up more, with formal jewelry coming back strong. Some on-trend items include vintage chunky gold daywear jewelry, Baroque-shaped white pearls and pearl earrings, and precious colored gemstone rings like emeralds, rubies and sapphires. “Important diamond necklaces are back,” Vock says. “Nothing makes a woman feel more beautiful or stand up taller than wearing a serious diamond necklace that flatters her.” When it comes to holiday gifts, Vock advises buyers, “Step up and purchase that one thing where your partner resisted temptation! If you’re not sure, ask us. We always know the one or two things she may be ‘secretly’ coveting.” Vock and Vintage is open by appointment only, but the shop also schedules Open Houses.
