the sky-high ambitions of the next generation
STAMFORD //
diving in with aquatics d i r ecto r ja m i e ba r o ne
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st yl e o n a b i g u psw i n g at h at at tac k
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t h e soa r i n g b o ldness of today ’ s teens
10 YEAR
CELEBRATION! HONORING OUR PAST & FACING OUR FUTURE
FALL FASHION! Stephanie Trotta‘s tips for wearing 4 hot trends pg. 96
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vol. 10 | no. 5
contents SEPT/OCT 2019 66
OUR TEENS Fear not for the future of Stamford—these locals are excelling in academics, the arts, athletics and more. by c am i l l a a. h e rrer a
84
departments 10 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 13 STATUS REPORT
BUZZ A celebration of 10 years! 10 Stamford landmarks 10 quirks only locals understand 10 covers reveal our food obsession Cheers for great drink shots 10 mouthwatering dishes that are so Stamford 10 fun local events this fall
CHANGING LANES
DO Stamford Innovation Week kicks off September 19; getting ready for college application season
A lot can happen in ten years— just ask Stamford native Jamie Barone, now senior program director of aquatics at Chelsea Piers.
GO What’s new, private and cool in Palm Beach now; Buick Enclave
by s c ot t t homas
90
PASSING THE HAT BJ and Bill Gedney founded Hat Attack; now daughter Cooper, head of creative, infuses the hat-and-accessories brand with a fresh style.
DRINK Celebrating Stamford magazine’s seventh annual Best Bartender Contest 48 DAD ABOUT TOWN 51 SCENE STEALERS 55 VOWS
b y bet h c o on ey f i t zpatrick
111 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 112 LAST WORD
96
CORRECTION: The photographs of Paul Simon’s house appearin in “To Market We Go” in our July/August issue were taken by Lane Coder.
FASHION FORWARD The Girl Guide’s Stephanie Trotta on how to wear and love four of fall’s hottest trends
cover photo gr aph by kyle norton
STAMFORD MAGAZINE SEPT/OCT 2019, VOL. 10, NO. 5. STAMFORD MAGAZINE is published bimonthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St, Westport, CT, 06880. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to STAMFORD MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX, 75755-9607.
SISTER ACT
Meet the Yaghmaie twins, two of our picks for ten teens to watch.
KYLE NORTON
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STYLE ON THE GO
CELEBRATING THE SCENE STEALERS OF OUR CITY
PARTY PHOTOS
Visit our galleries for all the fun
THE CELEBRITY VISITS, FABULOUS FASHIONS AND MOVING MOMENTS FROM ALL THE HOTTEST EVENTS
SHOUT OUT TO OUR SOCIAL CIRCLES Good luck keeping up with Fairfield County social media influencers. These ladies are on the go! When working on a story about HAT ATTACK’s very fashionable accessories, we followed a few stylists and bloggers on Instagram as they posted outfit tips across Fairfield County. Photos by @juliadags Style finds @hatattackny.
PLUS! THREE TO FOLLOW NOW! 1. Stephanie Trotta @thegirlguide (below) 2. Elizabeth Ariola @mrsnipple_ (top) 3. Emily Lucille Sanders @emilylucillesanders
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10 YEARS OF COVERING IT ALL vol. 10 | no. 5 | sept/oct 2019 creative director Amy Vischio executive editor Cristin Marandino
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publisher’s letter
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 KAREN KELLY-MICKA
T
his special issue marks not only Stamford magazine’s sixtieth issue, but also its tenth anniversary! To produce a glimpse into just how much our city and communities have evolved over this past decade, we took a nostalgic walk down memory lane. Since launching the magazine in 2009, I have been continuously reminded of what a privilege it is to be part of a company that acts as a beacon for this vibrant city. It is the first magazine tailored to the many interests and accomplishments of the people who live here. To remain relevant and prevalent, we rely on our relationship with you, and you are welcoming and encouraging. Thanks to you, our brand continues to grow along with the community it serves. I’ve called Stamford home for twenty years. I fell in love with the city before I could unpack boxes into my first tiny apartment. Often, I hear that “change” is synonymous with our city; I embrace change when it lends itself to positive growth. In the past year, I sold that tiny apartment, married my best friend and bought our forever home on an adorable cul-de-sac. I embraced these changes with both arms because Stamford remained the common denominator throughout. Sure, downtown has changed over the years, but it’s the growth of Stamford—now deemed the largest economic hub of the state and second-largest corporate hub in the Northeast— that has contributed to its becoming a desirable destination for young professionals and families. While the landscape has changed, one thing has remained true: Our diverse neighborhoods are
stamfordmag.com
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beautifully woven into the fabric of life here. A level of responsibility comes with being the most-trusted city magazine. For every issue, we set out to be a resource for our readers, to help them get the most out of our way of life, our institutions, our traditions and our hopes for the future. Our success comes from that integrity, thanks to my devoted, award-winning team. We have fun doing what we do, and it shows. Sophisticated businesses advertise with us because of our amazing editorial and loyal audience. We continue to see year-over-year revenue growth and have expanded our services to readers and clients, including new platforms and custom initiatives to meet growing demand; complimentary digital editions; and a revamped stamfordmag.com. Additionally, our signature events continue to surpass the most discerning expectations, drawing thousands of guests year after year. Also, I take Moffly Media’s commitment to support local philanthropy very seriously. Through an annual donation of $1.5 million in media to local organizations, we support more than 150 charities. In parting, I thank our loyal advertisers. Our success is tied to yours, and we promise to be your partner and biggest cheerleader. We are committed to publishing a hometown publication that you are proud of. Stay close, and I hope to see you out and about this fall!
Reach me at karen.kelly@moffly.com
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STATUS REPORT TH A RY S R E IV A N N EC T I O N S A DECADE IN THE MAKING! OUR
the power of 10TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE IS A CHANCE FOR US TO REMINISCE ABOUT THE STAMFORD STORIES THAT GRABBED OUR ATTENTION AND MADE IT INTO OUR PAGES
PHOTOGRAPH BY GARVIN BURKE
W
1
orking on a special issue gave us perspective. We took the time to dig into the archives and recall people and places that have contributed to Stamford’s identity in the past decade. Two things became clear. First, this city magically balances between making progress and being true to its history. Second, we’re food-motivated—our staff never missed a chance to cover everything from seared sesame tuna to craft beer. Cheers!
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY CONTENT
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THEN & NOW Places that have been utterly transformed over the past ten year and landmarks that proudly stand the test of time
20
INSIDE SCOOP 10 locals share their takes on what makes Stamford special
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FOOD OBSESSED 10 times Stamford magazine proved it has the food-scene totally covered
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VERY SPIRITED Our fave drinks—and how the photographers got the shots
28
LOCAL FLAVOR 10 must-try dishes from restaurants across the city
30
IT’S A DATE Just look: Walking the city, there’s abundant proof that this amazing city does things differently—making it beautiful. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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10 fun things to do here this fall
buzz
TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about downtown
then & now 10 LANDMARKS THAT HAVE DEFINED STAMFORD OVER THE PAST DECADE by diane sembrot
Time flies, so let’s take a moment to look around. It’s easy to see that Stamford has been doing anything but standing still over the past ten years—it’s been building a brighter future, which is now. Here are ten projects that show what happens when can-do spirit meets on-the-move grit.
1
now
CHELSEA PIERS CONNECTICUT WHEN CHELSEA PIERS opened in 2012, it revealed its competitive side by setting a U.S. record for a hands-only CPR event for Hands for Life. Since then, they’ve been getting our hearts pumping, workout after workout. The 400,000-squarefoot fitness emporium has athletic fields and courts, pools and ice rinks, gymnastics and rock climbing centers, a new Ninja + Parkour Training Center for age 10+, and plenty more. One Blachley Rd.; chelseapiersct.com
above: It took a visionary, and a lot of land, at the groundbreaking of Chelsea Piers. Any athlete will tell you that anything worth having takes work, dedication and a worthy goal. This place proves the point.
right: Unused space gives way to new development.
CONTRIBUTED BY CHELSEA PIERS CONNECTICUT
then
left: The old South End character had a certain appeal. right: These days, the appeal is obvious, bringing in businesses, residential centers and attractions.
now
PHOTOGRAPHS: HARBOR POINT; NOW BY KYLE NORTON; THEN BY ANDREW SULLIVAN; HOLE IN THE GROUND; NOW BY GARVIN BURKE; THEN BY ANDREW SULLIVAN
2/
HARBOR POINT
IT MIGHT BE hard to believe these days, but there was a time when there wasn’t much of a reason to go to the South End neighborhood we now called Harbor Point. The redevelopment, which opened in 2010, attracts crowds looking to eat and shop, stroll the waterfront boardwalk, attend a fun event (from weekend yoga sessions to live music with a side of sloppy ribs). The last decade brought in Dinosaur BBQ (2012), Fortina (2015), Mexicue (2017), Harbor Point Wines & Spirits (2018) and multiple apartment buildings, such as The Lofts at Yale & Towne (2010) for those who want to be immersed in the massive, beautifully redeveloped district. harborpt.com
then
3
now
HOLE IN THE GROUND
then
LET’S JUST ADMIT that ten years ago, we had only barely noticed the nearly four-acre patch of weeds that some affectionally called The Hole in the Ground. Now the downtown spot along Tresser Boulevard has been abuzz with activity as construction workers wield their trucks and gear to lay the foundation for a large mix-use development, unoffically called Stamford URBY. The project broke ground in 2017 and it’s been unrecognizable since. Despite any sprucing up, now or to come, a few locals (probably life-long residents) will, by habit, continue to refer to it by its original name.
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TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about downtown
4/
MILL RIVER PARK
THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN downtown and the West Side is Stamford’s answer to Central Park. The $8 million restoration took root in 1998, but the twelve-acre park and greenway fully blossomed in 2013. The nonprofit collaborative offers year-round fun, such as summertime Fit Club classes and movies, carousel rides and music, fall and spring cornhole league competition and ice-skating outdoors (opened 2018). 1010 Washington Blvd.; millriverpark.org
then
now
then
5/
STAMFORD HOSPITAL
ISN’T IT AMAZING what millions of dollars can do for a place? Stamford Hospital expanded into a new facility and surgically cut the red ribbon in 2016. The astonishing phoenix of a transformation includes a healing prescription of soothing glass, natural light, water features and incredible views as well as quiet waiting spaces for visitors; cutting-edge multifunctionprocedure patient rooms; a 48,000-square-foot ER; four trauma rooms and pediatric emergency department; and surgical rooms with seemingly futuristic technology. One Hospital Plaza; stamfordhealth.org
right: Stamford Health is cuttingedge care
HOSPITAL:THEN: HOSPITAL BY EVENTS GROUP FOR STAMFORD HOSPITAL FOUNDATION; NOW: PHOTOS BY GARVIN BURKE; MILL RIVER PHOTOS, THEN: CONTRIBUTED; NOW BY GARVIN BURKE
now
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here to stay ENTERTAINMENT
6 / Avon Theatre BUILT: 1939 STYLE: Colonial Revival LOCATION: 272 Bedford Street NEED TO KNOW: A vibrant membersupported film community continues to offer a robust line-up of independent films and documentaries alongside Hollywood classics, from black-and-white classics to Jaws, and specialized series. Find current showings at avontheatre.org.
1 AND 3 BY GARVIN BURKE; OTHERS CONTRIBUTED
BUSINESS
8 / Landmark Tower BUILT: 1973 STYLE: Neo-futurism LOCATION: One Landmark Square NEED TO KNOW: The twenty-two-story skyscraper, designed by Victor Hanna Bishara, stands proudly as the city’s third-tallest building. It enjoyed a $50 million restoration in the late 1990s, and in 2005 it sacrificed its ice rink for access to Landmark Square and to add retail and restaurants. Since 2017 the impossible-to-miss tower has been part of the city’s logo.
PRESERVING OUR PAST Stamford yields to a good overhaul from time to time, but a few stalwart places with a proud history are protected to share with today’s young whippersnappers. Upgrades and revitalized uses keep them current.
NATURE
9 / Stamford Museum & Nature Center FOUNDED: (1) 1936 on Main St. (2) 1946 at Courtland Park. (3) 1955 at the 1929 stylish summer estate of Henri Bendel STYLE: Neo-tudor meets farm LOCATION: 39 Scofieldtown Road NEED TO KNOW: North of the Merritt, some 118 lush private acres sprouted into a public space with trails, playground and a farm as well as a museum, gallery, planetarium and observatory. The new Knobloch Family Farmhouse is the first education addition to the property in fifty years. stamfordmuseum.org SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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ICONIC BUILDINGS THAT TO BEAUTIFULLY HOLD THEIR GROUND YEAR AFTER YEAR
PERFORMANCE
7 / The Palace Theatre OPEN: 1927 ARCHITECT: Thomas Lamb LOCATION: 61 Atlantic Street NEED TO KNOW: In the past decade Harman donated a state-of-the-art audio and lighting package, plus the orchestra seating was replaced. Plenty of expanded and new programs, such as Triple Threat Performer Intensive, Circus Camp and adult playwriting. More at palacestamford.org.
KNOWLEDGE
10 / The Ferguson Library BUILT: 1882 NAME: John Day Ferguson, whose bequest helped found the library LOCATION: One Public Library Plaza NEED TO KNOW: It moved twice before settling in 1909 into its not-so-quiet nook at Bedford and Broad (other branches popped up over time). It was renovated in 2010; since 2015 it’s been the Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr. Building of The Ferguson Library to honor its late director. Save the Date: Oct. 22, Literary Pub Crawl (three restaurants followed by comedy). fergusonlibrary.org
buzz
TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about the town
inside scoop
10 QUOTES FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT OUR CITY THAT ONLY LOCALS UNDERSTAND
A
lot has happened in Stamford in the past ten years. Bedford Street is now a party alley of restaurants, a brand-new state-of-the-art hospital graces our skyline, UConn has dorms, NBC Sports, Indeed.com and Henkel all have relocated to “the city that works,” as the Harbor Point area is continually revitalized, and one of the biggest and best changes is Mill River Park. We asked ten friends of the magazine: “What makes Stamford so Stamford?” Here are their replies.
by camill a a. herrer a
01
“Here, you are considered a newcomer to Stamford unless you’ve lived here for at least thirty years.” —Arthur Selkowitz, chairman, Mill River Park Collaborative, and resident since birth (almost)
02 above: unofficial sign that a new season begins
“For more than forty-five years, we’ve had resident otters here at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. They live in their pond area, just off the bridge leading to the Heckscher Farm. To those who grew up here and live here, the otters stand as the quirkiest of resident creatures bringing a sense of fun, charm and laughter to all.”
03
“Spring officially begins here when Dairy Queen opens. And while major political debates fill the airwaves across the nation, the biggest debate in Stamford centers on who serves the best pizza.” —PJ Kennedy, founder of Hey Stamford
—Lynn Villency Cohen
stamfordmag.com
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“In this city, it’s about three degrees of separation, not six. No matter where you go, you are likely to run into someone you know or someone you’re related to.” —Suzanne Palazzo, owner, Upper Deck Fitness
PHOTOGRAPH OF AUTHUR BY WILLIAM TAUFIC; PJ, CONTRIBUTED; ICE CREAM PROVIDED BY DAIRY QUEEN; SUZANNE BY THOMAS MCGOVERN
04
09
07
above: To speak authentic Stamford, there’s only one right order—a wedge.
05
“In Philadelphia, it’s a hoagie. In most of New England, it’s a grinder. But if you are from Stamford— despite the abundance of Subway shops—it is forever a wedge.”
PHOTOGRAPH OF WEDGE INN BY GARVIN BURKE; BETH BY JOHN MARTIN; LOU BY ANDREW SULLIVAN; FRANCINE BY HULYA KOLABAS
—Beth Levine, writer and Stamford Magazine columnist
“It is a place that most people come back to. About 75 percent of my friends from elementary, middle and high school live here now. They may have left, but they have come back. It is because Stamford offers the best of everything: the country, a downtown and a beautiful waterfront.”
“There not many places where, within fifteen minutes, on a good day, you can go from a bucolic lakeside back deck to a great beach then fabulous outdoor concert.”
—Mia Schipani, principal, Schipani PR
10
—Lou Ursone, executive director, Curtain Call
06
“The weather completely changes once you cross the Merritt Parkway.” —Susan Bralower, math teacher
08 “There’s collegiality between Stamford nonprofits. The people who lead them create synergies and opportunities that enrich our quality of life and celebrate our diversity, one of our major strengths as a community. And while the city continues to grow, I feel that these nonprofit leaders are largely responsible for our small-town feel and are committed to a community where everyone has a voice and no one is left behind.” —Joyce DiCamillo, jazz musician and music educator SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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“Stamford is a town that thinks like a city. There’s new architecture, but you still feel the old Stamford, where each neighborhood holds onto its own culture.” —Francine Gardner, interior designer, owner Interieurs
TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about the covers 01 Lucky’s Classic
food obsessed
buzz
Best of the Gold Coast CT Issue
When you’re hungry and on the run, there are times when nothing hits home like a traditional burger and fries. Turns out, it’s a frequent stop for Stamford’s go-go set: It won the Best of the Gold Coast CT award in July/August 2010. Naturally, we freatured it in our summertime issue.
A SAMPLE OF 10 YEARS OF COVERS TO PROVE THAT STAMFORD HAS THE BEST TASTE by diane sembrot
photo by Hulya Kolabas
02 Café Oolala The Restaurant Issue
Back in our Nov./Dec. 2013 we published our Restaurant Issue, and guess who took the cover? The little gem Café Oolala with its fresh and creative grab-and-go sandwiches and its sit-and-savor French Toast (and so much more). We filled in your eating agenda with more than eighty-five local food destinations.
W
hile digging around in our cupboards for this anniversary issue, we quickly realized that we are unapologetically fixated on Stamford’s food scene. Here’s just a few of the restaurants, cafés, caterers, diners and coffee shops that made our covers throughout the years (not to mention even more editorial coverage inside other issues of the magazine). Enjoy the walk down Memory Lane; if you work up an appetite, you know ten good places to refuel.
photo by Andrew Sullivan
stamfordmag.com
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Connecticut 203.353.8000
marciaselden.com
New York 212.921.4100
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TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about the covers
03 Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning
04 Madonia
05 Riko’s Pizza
06 Sign of the Whale
The Foodie Issue
Insider’s Guide
Best of the Gold Coast CT Issue
Come fall, we all crave a warm and satisfying dish of freshly made pasta. Here, Madonia’s papperdelle with grilled artichokes, Brussels sprouts and Marcona almond-arugula pesto is impossible to pass up. Inside the issue, we added more than fiftyfive other temptations, from cozy restaurants around Stamford.
Some get excited about spring weddings, but for our May/June 2015 issue we chose another local passion: pizza. This crispy thin wonder is the Figazza from Riko’s Pizza. Our pizza-tasting team tasted pies in Stamford neighborhoods to find crowdpleasers—we take on these tough tasks like this for our loyal readers.
When the summer of 2016 dawned, we found ourselves slurping up the briny deliciousness of fresh-from-the-water oysters. We even gave this reader favorite our July/Aug. “Best Of” cover. After all, what’s better than fresh seafood, a tart wedge of lemon, and the sky-high view of the city from Sign of the Whale.
photo by Julie Bidwell
photo by Andrew Sullivan
photo by Hulya Kolabas
07 Prime
08 Flinder’s Lane The Restaurant Issue
09 Franklin Street Works Cafe
10 Bedford Hall
Best of the Gold Coast CT Issue
If this two-pound poached and broiled Maine lobster doesn’t land you in a seat at Prime, as our July/ Aug. 2017 issue bet it might do, then our faces are as flushed as this red beauty. Catch plenty of perfectly prepared options for seafood lovers at the elegant restaurant Prime, ideally located along the waterfront.
This Aussie restaurant was a newbie when it took the cover of the Nov./ Dec. 2017 issue—a deep dive into all things Stamford food and drink. We noted its Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. and eclectic menu that had us taking a culinary jaunt from Down Under to Southeast Asia to Britain Greece and Italy.
Insider’s Guide
Jasmine Noonan’s smile lights up our May/June 2019 cover—doesn’t hurt that her tray is filled with Bedford Hall refreshments: Aperol Spritz, Bedford Hall Manhattan and a Pomelo Picante. We think you might have guessed this, since this was our Readers’ Choice Best of the Gold Coast special issue.
photo by Julie Bidwell
photo by Thomas McGovern
Best of the Gold Coast CT Issue
We’ve long had a love affair with Marcia Selden’s upscale catering; it’s something you praised, too—it won the Best of the Gold Coast CT in 2014. Our contribution was showcasing its culinary creativity in our May/June cover photography. One of our best, wouldn’t you agree? photo by Bruce Plotkin
To jump-start your workday, fuel your last-fumes afternoon or sip into an easy Sunday, grab a cappuccino. This eye-catcher from Franklin Street Works Café steamed up our May/June 2018 cover. This insider issue proved that when Stamford’s not drinking beer, it’s into java. photo by Thomas McGovern
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Best of the Gold Coast CT Issue
photo by Jacek Dolata
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TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about drinks
very spirited
FIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS LOOK BACK ON THEIR WORK FOR STAMFORD MAGAZINE AND SPILL ON HOW TO GET A GREAT DRINK SHOT by joey macari
A
ny good cocktail photographer will agree, while shooting a stationary object might look simple, sometimes, sip happens. Lighting isn’t always picture perfect, ice melts and placement of garnishes is tricky. Our photographers, who round up Stamford’s best and brightest, understand that what might tickle your tastebuds in real life, might not translate well into a picture. Photographers and art directors work their magic to capture what the mixologist intended. Read on to see how several star snappers manage to capture perfection for every drink portrait.
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2012 /
GUS CANTERVO Food Review
←
Various elements in a drink can easily shift and create a messy looking photo. That’s why, according to Gus Cantervo, who shot this drink at the former RODIZIO GRILL, photographers must anticipate change. “A photographer must possess a strong sense of composition,” he says. “Food and drinks need to be shot within minutes of being prepared or you will have melting ice, sauces and juices separating or cooling, which all look less appealing over time. Flexibility, speed and technical expertise are necessities.”
2015 /
JULIE BIDWELL Best of Gold Coast Issue
Let there be natural light, said every photographer ever. Good lighting and manipulating certain factors on a photoshoot can make all the difference, just ask Julie Bidwell, who shot this fall-inspired cocktail at bartaco. “Lighting, lens choices, settings, where to focus,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to ask the chef for garnishes, a new drink, extra ice cubes, whatever you need to get a better shot.”
2017 /
TOM MCGOVERN Food Issue
We can all agree that angles mean everything. Tom McGovern, who shot this photo at HARLAN SOCIAL understands how to achieve that perfect shot. “Easier angles like overhead shots don’t necessarily work as well for drinks as they do for food, he says. “You need to get in the mind-set of how a regular person is going to be seeing a drink, from what angle, and crafting a composition that can draw a person in, as if he or she is right in front of the drink.”
2014 /
ANDREW SULLIVAN Food Review
What we admire about this drink is not the intricately placed garnishes and the razzle-dazzle that makes drinks look appealing, but the authenticity behind the shot. Andrew Sullivan, who shot this drink at Gastro Pub a few years back, places two, normal-looking and delicious cocktails filled with muddled mint and plain, black straws on simple, white napkins. That’s it. It’s the average Joe of cocktails—and sometimes, that’s all it takes.
2016 /
HULYA KOLABAS Best of Issue
Lift your spirits! Hulya Kolabas’ advice is to create a relaxed working environment. This photo, taken at Sign of the Whale, shows how just a little oomph can make an image really stand out. ”The trick is to make the inanimate object fun and enticing,” Hulya remarks. “As a photographer, I like everyone involved to have fun at the shoots. When the shoot is fun, that transpires on the picture.”
TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about food
3
local flavor A STAMFORD FOODIE’S GUIDE TO THE TOP 10 MUST-TRY MENU ITEMS TO ORDER NOW
S
tamford is a food city. There’s no debating it. And because of this, there is such an incredible range of great cuisine to enjoy. It runs the gamut, from traditional American prime dry-aged steaks to Australian desserts, from seasonal homemade pastas to steaming bowls of broth and noodles. It makes us hungry just to consider the options. So, in preparation for dining season, we took a tour of our own to identify ten dishes you’ll want to remember before making your next reservation. by eliz abeth keyser
columbus park trattoria opened in 1985
MUST TRY // Chestnut Ravioli This seasonal pasta brings together nutty, salty-sweet and creamy flavors with the incomparable texture of Maria Marchetti’s homemade pasta. The dough is made with farina dolce (chestnut flour) and filled with a delicate blend of puréed chestnuts, marscapone and pancetta. The sauce is simple— cream, shallots and prosciutto. With each bite, you don’t want this dish to end.
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4
blackstones steakhose
cotto wine bar
opened in 2018
opened in 2012
MUST TRY // Porterhouse Steak for Two
MUST TRY // Tonnarelli Cacio
& Pepe
This is the ultimate carnivorous indulgence. A thick cut of prime beef that contains the filet and the strip, it is seared on the grill, and carved and reassembled on the bone. You’ll hardly need that steak knife to slice through these buttery cuts, which have been dry-aged for twenty-one days, concentrating their meaty flavors. Order it the way the chef recommends, and you’ll be rewarded with a perfectly cooked steak.
This authentic Roman dish will transport you to the Eternal City. Made with homemade tonnarelli, a long, thin, square noodle, this pasta is dressed with the simplest, but best, Italian ingredients, including DOP extra virgin olive oil. At the table, waiters mix the bowl of pasta, pecorino, parmesan, black pepper, olive oil, with a little bit of the pasta cooking liquid, and the sauce becomes creamy before your eyes.
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2
fortina opened in 2014
cilantro opened in 2012 MUST TRY // Cazuela
MUST TRY // Classic Margherita Pizza
Cilantro’s sublime seafood stew of shrimp, clams, mussels, squid and salmon in coconut broth is showered with fresh cilantro. Cazuela, named for the earthenware pots in which Latin American soups are made, takes a Peruvian direction at Cilantro. This sophisticated yet family-friendly Pan-Latin restaurant elevates home cooking (note the sofrito base), with a caring upscale touch. Even the white rice served with the soup, cooked with olive oil, is praise-worthy.
The wood-fired oven heat springs the dough into crust, chars the bottom, speckles the edges, and melts pools of mozzarella over tomato sauce. Pulled from the oven, the pie is showered with whole basil leaves. Bite into this beauty and all parts are in harmony: The crust crunches and pulls, and the sweet acid of the tomato, the soft, mild cheese and pungent fresh herbs melt into the gutsy bliss known as Fortina’s signature.
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6 mecha
opened in 2017
MUST TRY // Pho Tai The new outlet of Mecha is good news for downtown. It’s the best quality pho around. The deep flavor of this fragrant beef soup comes from hours of slow simmering. The fresh herbs, basil, cilantro, bean sprouts and jalapeño add fragrance and freshness to the steaming bowl, filled with rare slices of beef that cook before your eyes. Dip your chopsticks into the bowl and pull up some rice noodles. And go ahead and slurp. That’s how they’ll know you’re happy.
7 peter chang opened in 2018
MUST TRY // Chang’s Hot and Numbing Combination The presentation is awesome, a bubbling hot pot of broth, swimming with tender pieces of chicken, beef, shrimp and flounder, and vegetables, including bok choy, snow peas, asparagus, and chewy bean thread noodles. This is a shareable dish for people who love spicy food and enjoy savoring a range of flavors and numbing sensation that is a quality of Szechuan food.
8 prime
opened in 2016
MUST TRY // Raw Bar When you’re sitting at an upscale bar on a harbor on Long Island Sound, you’ve got to have oysters. Prime shucks a selection of East and West coast oysters. Points for you to geek out while comparing the sweetness and salinity, minerality, and buttery and clean finishes of all of the options. Or mix and match with milder, melony West Coast oysters from Washington and British Columbia.
PHOTOGRAPH BY © NISHIHAMA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
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flinders lane opened in 2017 MUST TRY // Pavlova
It looks like a lady’s party hat. This snow-white baked meringue, right, filled with whipped cream, is festooned with seasonal berries and edible flowers. Pavlova, named after the ballerina, says “home” to Australians and New Zealanders. The aroma of passion fruit sauce rises from the plate, and its fruitytart flavor and the fresh, sliced berries offset the sweetness of the delicate meringue and airy cream. You’ll want to get every component onto your spoon.
Never underestimate the power of fresh cream & berries .
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kotobuki opened in 1985
MUST TRY // Omakase There are flashier places to get sushi in Stamford, but if you want to experience the beauty and sensations of a traditional presentation, sit at the small bar at this downtown establishment and put yourself in the hands of Masa Soto, left, for omakase (which means “I trust you.”) Soto will tell you that sushi is first all about the rice, then the balance of fish to rice and the texture of fish sliced by this master’s experienced hands.
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TH Y SA R R E V I A N N EC T I O N S
about events
it‘s a date
Stamford didn’t receive the moniker “Stamvegas” for nothing. Whether you’re flirty and thriving or looking to spend quality time with the fam, our city is chock-full of events and activities that will get you in the fall spirit. Take a peek at this guide—there’s art, music, pumpkins and a whole lot of beer. Let’s get out there and enjoy the most spooktacular time of year.
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DESIGN AWARDS
Sept. 11
athome’s A-List Awards Gala Palace Theatre
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MUSIC
SEPT. 20
Three Dog Night Palace Theatre
ART
7 ART
Sept. 22–Oct. 24
39th Annual Faber Birren National Color Show Stamford Art Association
9 BEER
Sept. 28
OktoBEERfest in the Park, presented by Half Full Brewery Mill River Park
Sept. 14–15
BEER
3
Sept. 21
The Last Taste of Summer Craft Beer Festival Harbor Point
FOOD
Sept. 19
Exhibit Opening of Fruitfulness by Nathalia Edenmont Farm to Table Supper Stamford Museum & Nature Center
DON’T MISS THIS
6 ART
Sept. 21
Exhibit Opening of Otherwise Obscured, Curated by Danilo Machado Franklin Street Works
8 DRINKS
Sept. 27
Stamford Brew & Whisky Festival Harbor Point
10 FESTIVAL
Oct. 13-20 Fall Family Festival Designs by Lee
FOOD & DRINKS OCT. 25 Bevs & Bites at the Farmhouse Stamford Museum & Nature Center FESTIVAL OCT. 26 Spooktacular Adventure Mill River Park
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF BRANDS
Arts & Crafts on Bedford Bedford Street
Heaven in ConneCtiCut Far from the madding crowd, in the Litchfield Hills, lies a quiet getaway. Set on 113 acres and bordering extensive woods and lakes, Winvian Farm was created to recharge and indulge. The five-star cuisine, the wines, the spa and the service are as unexpected as the experiences that one ultimately enjoys— and it’s just around the corner.
winvianfarm.com
WHAT'S NEXT!
STAMFORD INNOVATION WEEK RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER WITH A STREAMLINED SCHEDULE THAT INCLUDES CULTURAL EVENTS, SPEAKER PANELS, TRAINING INITIATIVES AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES by sc ot t thomas
S
tamford Innovation Week (SIW)—a multiday celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship and technology—is back. Kicking off September 19, SIW once again celebrates community by bringing together the region’s innovators and creatives to share ideas, develop concepts and build networks. It’s mission is based on lessons learned from SIW’s inaugural celebration last year. “One of the primary pieces of feedback we received last year was that it was too big,” says Jonathan Winkel, executive director and founder of SIW. “Most of the events this year are concentrated into a four-day range. We’ll have fewer events but on a bigger scale.” The festival now includes support from community partners. Among the key events are an eight-hour digital media summit with leaders from NBC
above: Shannon Daniels, chair of SIW board of directors, and Jonathan Winkel, executive director and founder
Sports, ESPN and CPTV; a four-hour panel discussion on how to start a food-and-beverage business, sponsored by Half Full Brewery; and an innovation lab at UConn Stamford that will showcase the latest ideas, tools and technologies, in which attendees will see drones, 3-D printers and a cryptomining rig. Also planned is iSpark, a Shark Tank-like event, in which start-ups will showcase their companies throughout the day.
Finalists will then be chosen by the “sharks” to pitch their ideas to a panel of potential investors. The week will conclude with FastFWD, a full-day innovation and technology conference that brings change agents together to share the stories, insights and trends driving innovation and creating disruption both today and in the future, says Winkel. SIW was created in an effort to bring events that had been interspersed around Stamford, and throughout the year, under one huge innovation tent. “There were different technology events but they were falling away,’’ says Shannon Daniels, chair of the SIW board of directors. “There
“We'll have fewer events but on a bigger scale .” —jonathan winkel, executive director and founder of siw
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PHOTO GRAPHS: SHANNON BY JULI DRITZ CIALONE ; ALL TOHERS CONTRIBUTED IMAGES
do
were different people running these events. Jon thought to put one event together and integrate them.” The initial plan for 2018 had been to spread the events over four days. Interest quickly surged and organizers knew instantly they had touched a nerve within the innovation and entrepreneurship community. “We had more than 3,000 tickets claimed in the first year,’’ Daniels says. “We said, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s something to this.’ We knew there was an underbelly of an entrepreneurship community in Stamford, but we didn’t realize the extent. We’re excited to leverage that interest.” Winkel, as chairman of the city’s Economic Development Commission, and with his extensive experience in business development, felt that Stamford’s growing millennial population and reputation as a commercial center made it the perfect choice to host the event. “We felt last year we’d draw from Lower Fairfield County and a little bit in Westchester,’’ he says. “We got people from Hartford and all the way to New York City. It’s an innovation week that just happens to be in Stamford. It’s very inclusive, and we celebrate people and companies from all across Connecticut and New York.” Winkel, Daniels and the rest of the leadership team pulled ideas from similar events across the nation and incorporated their own as well. While there is regional appeal and national influence, Daniels says the event is also a showcase for Stamford. “It’s important to give back to the community that has given to you,’’ she says. “That’s why this is important to me. If you want change, you have to give back and be a catalyst for change. It’s important to be part of your community.”
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above: Prepping for college is about hitting the books—and so much more
THE LONG VIEW
1 Plan ahead if you want your student to get ahead, starting as early as eighth grade. 2 Take one thing at a time, whether it’s an upcoming SAT or an essay that’s months away. 3 Place study habits, test-taking ability and essay readiness in proper perspective; don’t lose sight of learning for learning’s sake (see sidebar on managing application stress). To mitigate the feelings that college applications can cause, lay out a plan for standardized testing by the end of sophomore year at the latest, before junior
months of classwork to refresh and ingrain. Application essay prep— like the essays themselves—is still underrated, but shouldn’t be. Admissions experts across the spectrum say the stand-out application essay puts any student in a far better light. When prepping for the essay, timing is
year begins. “Just coming up with a tentative timeline so the whole family is on the same page about priorities can really empower students,” says Jerry Carnegie, co-owner and managing director of Carnegie Prep, based in Cos Cob, with locations in Darien, Greens Farms, Greenwich and New Canaan. “This also applies when deciding if the SAT or ACT is a better fit and focusing on that specific test.” He recommends taking practice tests for the real experience. Carnegie Prep offers free full-length practice tests (SAT and ACT) every weekend at Greenwich Country Day School for this purpose. On the subject of study habits, maybe the best advice (besides “study hard”) is to simulate actual test conditions. It’s a common prep blind spot caused when private study fails to include a dry-run, such as waking up early, driving somewhere and taking a practice test in an unfamiliar setting. Test day shouldn’t be their first experience with it. Also, students will also ignore the unwritten work—reviewing past
essential. Seize on the summer between junior and senior year to self-schedule essay work to hit September feeling confident. While pursuing academic goals, don’t forget about health. Kids need plenty of sleep, regular exercise and healthy foods to get maximum benefit from collegeapplication prep.
DESTRESS THE PROCESS There are many paths to college, and when high school kids finally do engage in the application-prep process, there is going to be stress. It’s manageable with the right attitude. Parents should set the tone, according to Maud Purcell, MSW, LCSW, CEAP, and executive director of The Life Solution Center of Darien. “If parents are hyper-focused on outcomes, it obscures what’s meaningful to the child,” she says. “Kids can do worse from too much prep.”
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Multitasking is crucial when it comes to stress management. “Kids are better able to manage prep, testing and essay writing with reassurance and support from parents,” she says. Kids with “executive function issues,” like ADD/ADHD, may have trouble prioritizing tasks. Even so, parents should show trust in their student and help— without helicoptering. Purcell’s pet peeve: Parents picking essay topics. “When it comes to the content, you have to let go,” she says.
PHOTOGRAPH ©JACOB AMMENTORP LUND BY ADOBESTOCK.COM
L
ike most things in life, college applications go more smoothly and achieve better results with preparation. There are a multitude of test-prep programs and approaches, all with the same goal of accessing better college opportunities. When the family’s in prep mode, remember these three things:
PREPPING FOR THE COLLEGE APPLICATION YEARS by owen mcd onald
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by kim-marie evans
SOME LIKE IT HOT A FAVORITE FAIRFIELD COUNTY GETAWAY, PALM BEACH HAS LONG BEEN ON OUR RADAR, BUT HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW
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est Palm Beach, which doesn’t have a beach, has long been the “other” Palm Beach. Well, West Palm has been getting a little work done. BERNARDO NETO brings twelve years of Vegas hotel experience with his Ben Hotel opening in West Palm next spring. The Ben will be the only water-facing hotel in the city and flaunt the sweeping views from its rooftop pool and
lounge. The nearby Hilton already set a new young vibe when it opened a few years ago. Its Sunday brunch combining poolside yoga, champagne and a DJ has been a huge hit. Additionally, City Place has been “getting some work done” and is now Rosemary Square. When the $550 million in upgrades are complete, the area will be unrecognizable with Vegasstyle fountain sculptures, public art murals, green spaces and more.
A rendering of the uber-chic Ben Hotel
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF BEN HOTEL
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Comedy
AGAINST CANCER An Evening of Comedy Honoring
Thomas Rich F.D. Rich Company
to Benefit the American Cancer Society
Thursday, September 26, 2019 The IC, Stamford CT
www.acscomedyagainstcancer.org For More Information, Please Contact: Aubrey.Keely@cancer.org
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
37
go PUTTING METRO-NORTH TO SHAME
H
igh-speed trains in the U.S.? VIRGIN TRAINS runs ultra-modern trains that are able to whisk passengers from West Palm Beach to Miami in just over an hour and to Ft. Lauderdale in only forty minutes. Formerly known as Brightline, the new trains offer amenities you,d expect to see in first-class airplane cabins. All passengers enjoy fast and free Wi-Fi. Those who upgrade to Select (think Amtrak Business Class) also enjoy complimentary snacks (and delightfully chilled face cloths to refresh on arrival). The rail line recently broke ground on tracks to Orlando. Service to the happiest place on earth should be available by 2021. The trains, which are the only fully compliant ADA accessible ones in the country, travel up to 125 miles per hour.
above: Hai House’s Palm Beach Pu Pu Platter below: Fresh-pressed juice with whiskey from Batch Southern Kitchen
N
ashville came to Delray last fall with the opening of a TIN ROOF outpost, a restaurant and live music joint. The likes of Luke Bryan and the Florida Georgia Line have hit
the stage. The Delray venue has live music all week and inventive comfort food like fried biscuit sliders (smoked brisket with bacon) and bourbon berry French toast (at the brunch). Like a Sonic, but better. Stay in your car while a valet snaps up your take-out order from the new HAI HOUSE, opened in Palm Beach last December. The Chinese-American eatery is helmed by Chef James Strine (who has Echo, Café Boulud, Buccan and Grato on his résumé). The brand new BATCH SOUTHERN KITCHEN on Clematis in West Palm brings a novel twist to cocktails with “batching.” Cocktail batching is a technique that requires drinks to marinate for months before being served. They tout the use of ingredients from local farms and distilleries. The menu is creative Southern comfort food, think s’mores waffles, pimento/green tomato grilled cheese sandwiches, and BBQ jackfruit sliders. stamfordmag.com
38
above: And away you go—West Palm to Miami in just over an hour
RECREATION DESTINATION
W
ith 160 private and public golf courses in just the Palm Beaches area alone, it’s easy to sneak in a round—or two. Beach lovers have endless options with thirty different tropical beach parks spread across forty-seven miles of sandy shoreline. Like boating in Long Island Sound? You’ll love exploring the 125 miles of scenic waterways including the Intracoastal, Lake Worth Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDS, FLORIDA AERIAL PHOTO BY STOCK.ADOBE.COM/©THOMAS BARRA
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PRETTY LUXE
BUICK’S ENCLAVE OFFERS BIG COMFORT IN A MEDIUM SIZE by chris hodenfield
you of its power till you ask. Its natural bailiwick is effortless cruising, whether down the highway or the Post Road. A solid positioning on the road is felt at all times; only Manhattan’s nastiest potholes gave it a surprise. On our twisty back roads, the Enclave was unstressed and stable. If it has the opulence of the bigger SUVs, what does it lack? Well, the second-row seats are not as magnificent as the front seats, and the third-row is thin. To get really expansive luggage hauling, the third seat needs to be stowed. That’s easy enough: Just push a
The Enclave is an easy vehicle to like. The doors close with a solid thunk. The Bose sound system is magnificent. The navigation system can be figured out in ten seconds, and it works very well. There are ports all over, even for the third row. And it can be optioned up to become a traveling WiFi hot spot. This new, second-generation Enclave has a more powerful V-6 and the transmission moves up three gears to be a nine-speed. This elevates the highway fuel mileage to 25 mpg, up from 22. It’s capable of quite healthy acceleration, but it doesn’t remind
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button and humming motors drop the third seat and flatten it out. So, for a combination of size and grace, it’s just right. Order it in “Ebony Twilight Metallic” and you have a Buick that actually looks sinister. Whatever the shade, it’s an urbane, highstyle ride.
STATS BUICK ENCLAVE AVENIR Base: $55,800 Drivetrain: 310-hp, 3.6-liter V6 AWD EPA mileage ratings: 17/25 mpg
CONTRIBUTED
W
hen Goldilocks goes searching today for the SUV that is “just right,” she will find a vast, detailed list of choices ranging from extremely sporty crossovers to sumptuous luxury liners. The Buick Enclave embraces the comfort side of the ledger, all the while being nowhere near the size of the Escalade/Suburban bruisers. The Enclave is just the right size to be considered elegant. It’s handsome enough to have gained a good deal of approval in Fairfield County, especially the glossed-up Avenir version we tested.
drink by joey macari
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e all have our drink preferences. Whether you keep things simple or favor something more cosmopolitan, there’s no denying that some drinks are made with more TLC than others. Someone who truly knows the art of a good cocktail is JEFFREY SELDEN, managing partner at Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning. He graciously served as guest judge at our Best Bartender Contest this year. He judged four aspects of each entry: performance, presentation, taste and quality of ingredients. In the end, he chose T’s Pizza & Kitchen’s Neil King as the Best Mixologist for his drink, T’s Fig Martini. The crowd further rewarded the Watermelon Margarita created by Prime’s head bartender John Nicoletti. We followed up with Selden, who shared his thoughts about being a guest judge, on what makes a great drink and on that interesting CBD-oil trend that found its way into a few of the libations.
COCKTAIL TALK
above: Jeffrey Selden
1 // What did you think of the event? I love attending and judging for the first time. It was a perfect night and everyone seemed to have the best time. I really enjoyed all of the different options from each of the vendors and all of the diversity in the cocktails and ingredients used.
2 // What did you think of the CBD trend that was prominent in this year’s drinks? I saw many different vendors offer the CBD toppers to cocktails. While I think it’s great, I’m sure it’s a trend and won’t last.
4 // What cocktail should everyone know how to prepare? Everyone should know how to make a Classic Dry Martini:
two ounces of dry gin and one ounce of dry French vermouth. Stir the ingredients with ice to chill, garnish with a lemon peel or great olives.
5 // What iconic drink in TV or film you would you like to recreate? The most iconic movie for a classic cocktail was Casablanca. Rick Blaine played by Humphrey Bogart drank some mean French 75 cocktails at Rick’s Café. 6 // What’s the best cocktail experience you’ve ever had? The bartenders at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris are the most innovative and amazing, and I would not miss their bar if I’m ever in Paris. 7 // What is your favorite drinking spot? The King Cole Bar at the St. Regis is a favorite—you must go. Try their Red Snapper Cocktail and ask about why the king is smirking.
3 // What was it about King’s drink that got your vote? I loved what he put together and the special ingredients that he sourced for the cocktail. I also loved that he was the only vendor that thought outside the box and served something that was unlike the rest. Figs, grappa, cassis… definitely different and unusually delicious.
left: If you know how to make only one cocktail, let it be a perfect martini.
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8 // What cocktail fixings do you keep on hand at all times? Great garnishes, such as luxardo cherries, key limes, fresh lemons, navel oranges, jumbo olives and cocktail onions.
9 // After a long day at work, what do you pour yourself? A simple Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned, with extra cherries. 10 // What are you excited to drink in the fall? Looking forward to the fall cocktails that we will create. The Pumpkin Old-Fashioned Cocktail and our Pomegranate Margarita are favorites.
PHOTOGRAPHS: SELDEN, CONTRIBUTED; MARTINI © JANVIER - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; POMEGRANATE ©ASSJA_SAV - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
THE SHAKE UP
Stamford magazine’s seventh annual BEST BARTENDER CONTEST had plenty of fun, new twists—and stiffer competition than ever
THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE
Non-profit 501 (C) (3)
26th Annual Benefit
Golf Outing Monday, September 16, 2019 The Country Club of Fairfield
FREE WINE TASTING & ART EXHIBIT BEFORE EACH SHOW!
10/22
10/25
To register visit : www.habitatcfc.org/golfouting
11/23
The Westy Guarantee… WESTY guarantees that a Customer’s rent will not be increased for two years from the Agreement date.
3/1
WESTY guarantees that there will not be a registration or administration fee. WESTY guarantees your total satisfaction. If you are not totally satisfied for any reason within the first seven days of signing your Agreement, Westy will refund all your money and void your Agreement.
4/26
203.438.5795 • RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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drink
left: Joshua Mills and Vince Phillips of Prime raise their trophies after winning the People’s Choice Award.
right: Neil King of T’s Pizza & Kitchen is all smiles as he’s flanked by Jeffrey Selden and Stamford magazine’s Karen KellyMicka
THREE CHEERS!
JUDGE’S PICK
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
RUNNER-UP
Winner // T’s Pizza & Kitchen Bartender // Neil King Drink // T’s Fig Martini Recipe // Fresh fig purée, crème di cassis, grappa and a mint leaf. Mix it, shake it with ice and strain it.
Winner // Prime Bartender // Created by John Nicoletti; served by Joshua Mills and Vince Phillips Drink // Watermelon Margarita Recipe // Combine 1.5 oz. Aldez silver tequila, 1 oz. fresh watermelon juice, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, ½ oz. agave syrup. In a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain in a rocks glass over new ice cubes. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.
Winner // Bareburger Bartenders // Allison Mora and Ricardo Barrow Drink // Summer Passion Recipe // Combine 2 oz. of Leaf vodka, 1 oz. of Combier orange liquor, 4 oz. lemonade and 2 tsps. strawberry purée in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, then pour mix in a 12 oz. cup. Garnish with a slice of lemon, a strawberry and a mint leaf.
A cocktail can transport you not only to a time, but also a place. In T’s Pizza & Kitchen’s case, the Fig Martini transports you to the Italian countryside. Bartender Neil King’s cocktail, called T’s Fig Martini, won over Jeffrey Selden, who selected his drink for the Judge’s Pick Award. “The cocktail was inspired by the beginning of
the fig season with the Italian touch of grappa,” said T’s owner Tino Giresi. “We are always willing to be part of the Harbor Point experience. This was a team effort, which is the core of our family restaurant and the best to represent us was Neil. If you meet him, you’ll see why we chose to have him represent us in the contest.” Bravo!
When it comes to summer cocktails, nothing does the trick better than a margarita. Add watermelon, summer’s favorite fruit, and you got a winner. That’s the mind-set bartender John Nicoletti had in creating his People’s Choice–winning drink. “It’s all about fresh ingredients; the pairing of watermelon into a margarita is simple in the summertime.,” he says. “However, execution becomes stamfordmag.com
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tricky when choosing ingredients. Everything is fresh in that drink— this creates a clean, delicious cocktail. That’s what we think about when creating cocktails.” Bartenders Joshua Mills and Vince Phillips served the drink at the event. “The hosts made us feel very welcomed,” Mills says. “Jeffrey was professional, while keeping it light. It was very satisfying to be able to bring this award home to Prime.”
Winner // Sign of the Whale Bartender // Will Lamar Drink // Strawberry Rosé Lemonade Recipe // The ingredients are Smirnoff strawberry vodka, lemonade, any kind of rosé, a splash of cranberry juice, freshly muddled strawberries and a mint sprig. Combine the muddled strawberries with the vodka, then pour mixture over the juice, lemonade and wine mixture. Garnish with a mint sprig.
PHOTOGRAPHS: KRISTIN BURKE HYNES; FIGS BY JIRI HERA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
The votes rolled in at Stamford magazine’s BEST BARTENDER CONTEST—and we say the more winners, the merrier
RIVER HOUSE ADULT DAY CENTER INVITES YOU TO
LOCAL
Motion
Chaired by Amory Armstrong Kenny, Katie Cosby, and JoAnn McCarthy
TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT RIVERHOUSE.GIVESMART.COM
SATURDAY
SEPT 28 ARCH STREET 7 PM LIVE AUCTION MUSIC LOCAL FOOD DANCING
HONORING
GREEN FINGERS GREENWICH GARDEN CLUB HORTULUS 2019 COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD For their commitment to protecting and preserving the natural beauty of Greenwich and for their outstanding community service at River House and beyond.
SPONSORS Alison Farn Leigh and JoAnn McCarthy Allison and Steve Wolowitz
JOIN THE FIGHT FOR ALZHEIMER’S FIRST SURVIVOR.
At the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, people carry flowers representing their connection to Alzheimer’s — a disease that currently has no cure. But what if one day there was a white flower for Alzheimer’s first survivor? What if there were millions of them? Help make that beautiful day happen by joining us for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.
Register today at alz.org/walk. 2019 NATIONAL PRESENTING SPONSOR
Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Fairfield County Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk Oct. 13, 2019 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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1 Ron Austin 2 Prime’s cocktail 3 Tami Cebo and Melissa Viggiano 4 Lifted Spirits bartenders 5 Marissa Vodola and Daniel Soifer 6 Neil Caruso of T’s Pizza & Kitchen 7 Stacy Orecchio 8 Lindsay Wechter, Molly Fitzpatrick and Ruby 9 Will Lamar of Sign of the Whale 10 Mande Jolicoeur 11 Bedford Hall’s cocktail 12 Jazzmen Billie, Kayloa Lee and Saika Merise 9 11
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PHOTOGRAPHS: GUESTS BY MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE/KRISTIN BURKE HYNES: CORK BY ©SIMMITTOROK STOCK.ADOBE.COM; WINE STAIN BY ©PICSFIVE - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
tamford magazine’s BEST BARTENDER CONTEST is only partly about the drink—the other key ingredient is the crowd. Here are a few picks from our fan book. See additional party shots at stamfordmag.com and more about the contest at bestbartenderstamford.com. Farewell, summer—you were delicious! –Diane Sembrot
GREENWICH 20th Anniversary LAND TRUST 20th Anniversary
Tickets include EVERYTHING ! Delicious food from SUPER DUPER WEENIE * LOCO
BBQ * NEW HAVEN PIZZA TRUCK * TACO LOCO * Refreshments provided by CAFFE BON * JUICY JUICE * Special treats from MR SOFTEE ICE CREAM * Adult beverages provided by HORSENECK WINES &LIQUOR * Live WEBE108 DJ * Activities MAZE * HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES * PETTING ZOO * SOCCER WITH ALDWIN * PONY RIDES * BUNGEE TRAMPOLINES * ARTS & CRAFTS sponsored
by the Brant Foundation * and more!
Sunday September 22, 2019 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Conyers Farm 1 Hurlingham Drive, Greenwich gltrust.org
203–629–2151
Reserve your tickets today: gltrust.org/events/gowild/ Title Sponsor
Proceeds from Go Wild! will support Greenwich Land Trust’s efforts to conserve open space, connect our community with the natural world, and inspire the next generation of conservationists.
Media Sponsors
Patron Tent Sponsor
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s
October 5, 2019 We Thank Our 2019 Gala Sponsors: 2019 Gala Distinguished Benefactors: 2019 Gala Sustainers: 2019 Gala Graphic Design Sponsor:
2019 Gala Media Sponsor:
Founding Patrons: The Estate of Cynthia Clark Brown 2019 Season Distinguished Benefactors: The Maurice Goodman Foundation
The exhibit, From Corsets to Suffrage: Victorian Women Trailblazers, is sponsored in part by
295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850
RSVP: lockwoodmathewsmansion.com . 203.838.9799 ext. 4 In collaboration with
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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dad about town by kevin mckeever
SIMPLY THE BEST B 01 03 06 08
THE KIDS TAKE OVER DAD’S COLUMN TO SHARE WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT THEIR HOMETOWN
rothers and sisters are the cats and dogs of the human world. So imagine my surprise when I asked Calvin and Megan for individual Top Ten lists about what they liked about growing up in Stamford and…they named several of the same things. While I contact the Guinness World Records, enjoy their picks.
It’s no longer baseball “capitol” of the world, as the outfield fence in Cubeta Stadium misspelled it during my youth, but Stamford is still a baseball town. Cal and I love that. From T-ball on up, kids have many opportunities to learn and play, thanks to the devoted core moms, dads and graduates who volunteer to keep the sport strong.
Coalhouse Pizza Tuesday summer lunches
A recent addition, with fried mac-n-cheese balls for Cal, burrata salad for Meg and a free Loyalty Club beer for dad.
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Cal developed a love of sea life and water sports at SoundWaters day camp. Meg remembered the many sunset picnics and playground adventures my wife, Rhonda, and I took them on, along with biking endless loops around the park’s track.
Heights & Lights
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Breakfast at Lakeside Diner
Warm, homemade sugar donuts; the changing seasons of Holt’s Ice Pond outside the windows; the old-school swivel stools and Formica tables— no wonder both kids suggested it.
“I love getting lost there,” Megan says. She means that literally. Many a family walk with our dog, Murphy, has become a session in wilderness survival among the many hilly and wooded trails on these nearly 400 acres off Westover Road.
Cove Island Park
05 above: Sunday donut run, anyone?
Mianus River Park
Why this instead of the Parade Spectacular (a.k.a. the Thanksgiving balloon parade)? The annual rappelling of Santa Claus down the twenty-twostory Landmark Building, followed by the lighting of a Christmas tree in Latham Park, is more uniquely Stamford and a true local community event. Cal adds that the Unitarian Church serves killer free hot chocolate.
above: The Figazza from Riko’s Pizza
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Shakespeare on the Green
Meg remembers this being one of the first events we attended as a family after moving back to my hometown. The material may have been over her four-year-old head, but she was enraptured by Curtain Call’s annual outdoor production at Sterling Farms. Meanwhile, Cal spent most of the show on the nearby playground or making me toss him pop flies with a tennis ball.
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Stamford Museum & Nature Center
Pizza, pizza, pizza
All kids love pizza, and it is (or should be) the official food of Stamford. We have it all: bar-style thin (Colony Grill or Riko’s), traditional (Sorrento), Greek-style (Hope Street), brick-oven (the awesome new Slice in Newfield Shopping Green) or fancy (Amore).
above: Colony’s crowdpleasing classic pizza
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We’ve held birthday parties here, tapped maple trees for sap, watched a moon eclipse at the observatory and, of course, Cal once
right: Keeping an eye on nature is what Stamford Museum & Nature Center does
above: If it’s tennis, it must be love.
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Swim and tennis club life
The Italian Center is where the kids learned to swim and play tennis, made new friends and drove me broke at the snack bar. Now they both hit the gym there regularly while Cal found his first summer job down the road at the even lower-key and just as fun Newfield Swim and Tennis Club.
PHOTOGRAPHS: DONUTS AND COLONY PIZZA BY GARVIN BURKE; RIKO’S PIZZA BY ANDREW SULLIVAN; TENNIS BALL ©RUSLAN SHEVCHENKO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; GOAT ©SONSEDSKAYA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
Baseball
attended day camp here where he learned the finer points of shoveling the poop of sheep and horses.
Do you want to open your own business? Do you have a business you want to grow and expand? Take classes to grow your business. Receive counseling for tailored advice. It is more critical than ever that women entrepreneurs, a bright spot in Connecticut’s economy, have the right resources to start and operate businesses. For more than twenty years the Women’s Business Development Council has been leading the way for this effort in Connecticut by providing women with entrepreneurial training, financial education and access to capital. To learn more and sign up with the Women’s Business Development Council, please visit: www.ctwbdc.org or call 203.751.9550
BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE INVITES YOU TO HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER THIS OCTOBER ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21ST 11AM UNTIL 2PM HYATT REGENCY GREENWICH GUEST SPEAKER: CELEBRITY CHEF TODD ENGLISH FASHION SHOW AND MODELS OF INSPIRATION PRESENTED BY RICHARDS EVENT TICKETS: BCA2019.GIVESMART.COM RAFFLE TICKETS: 203.861.0014
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sceneSTEALERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE, BOB CAPAZZO & BY ELAINE UBIÑA 1
PHOTOGRAPHS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 & 10 BY MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE/BOB CAPAZZO; PHOTOGRAPHS 6 & 8 BY ELAINE UBIÑA
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FAMILY CENTERS / private home
Tuscany Vibes
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t was a night of romance and elegance as Family Centers captured the essence of the Italian countryside for its Under the Tuscan Sun benefit. Cochairs Lisa Errico, Patti Fast, Julie Graham, Elizabeth Lake and Amanda Lynch transformed the Greenwich home of Brooks and Tom Melly into a Tuscan villa, complete with lights twinkling overhead and cypress trees lining the entrance. Guests were treated to hand-pulled mozzarella, Italian-inspired hors d’oeuvres and Tuscan wine and Campari-infused specialty drinks, all to the sounds of Italian music. A wisteria-trellised bar and long tables adorned with fresh herbs set the tone. Marcia Selden Catering prepared and served a family-style feast of traditional Italian delicacies. The evening raised more than $800,000 for the agency’s health, education and human services, which helped more than 21,000 children and adults last year. » 1 Walker Evans, Isabel, Dominic, Nancy and Henry Casserley, Jane Fisher 2 Ben and Leigh Carpenter 3 Julie Graham, Elizabeth Lake, Lisa Errico, Patti Fast, Amanda Lynch 4 Nancy Sarnoff, Amy Lowden 5 Mimi Moulton, Susan Yonce, Heather Georges 6 Peter and Laurie Grauer, Laurie Host, Bob Arnold 7 Patti and Eric Fast 8 Kate and Jim Clark 9 Charles and Nicki Rose 10 Tommy and Brooks Melly SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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STAMFORD PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION / Sheraton Stamford Hotel
High Class
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he Stamford Public Education Foundation celebrated its annual Excellence in Education Awards event at the Stamford Sheraton. The event, which ran in its twelfth consecutive year, culminated with an awards presentation to organizations and community leaders dedicated to furthering the educational needs and services of the city. The evening also featured a networking reception and silent auction, music entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and specially selected wine and beer. All proceeds from the event benefited SPEF’s educational programs, which include the nationally recognized Stamford Mentoring Program. »
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CONTRIBUTED
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1 NatWest Markets won this year’s Philanthropy Award 2 NatWest Team 3 Sandra Carlton, Frank Rodriguez and Tressa Kinahan 4 SPEF staff 5 Stillmeadow School teachers Jenna Garcia, Kimberly Balch, Melissa Hoch and Jaime Watson 6 Stamford High’s Larry Keller, Matthew Forker and Rafael Escobar 7 Barbara Aronica-Buck and Peter Buck 8 Duby McDowell, Andrew Ferguson and Mike Duggan 9 Olivia Cognetti, Fran Barry, Paige Hochadel, Ella Cognetti and Kate Cognetti 10 Bob and Pat Phillips 11 SPEF Educator Award nominees 12 Joann Carde, Genesis Hernandez, Daira Rivera and Kenia Rossil 13 Josh Vogelman, Yuemin Ding, Vernon Viera and John Martin 14 Sophia, Brenda and Chloe Zanga
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Open minds. Big ideas. Infinite possibilities.
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UP CO M IN G E V E N TS AT WHI T BY S C H O O L
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Early Childhood Exploration
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE/BOB CAPAZZO AND MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE/ KRISTIN BURKE HYNES
18 months – age 5 • October 1 at 9:30 a.m. • October 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Middle School Exploration Grades 5-8
1 Allan Grossman, Lesley Osborne and Wesley Piexoto from OsteoStrong 2 Food fare from Green & Tonic 3 The Merlin Band 4 Kirby and Company 5 Star 99.9 6 Fairfield Theatre Company 7 Paul Flynn from Total Wine 8 Porsche of Greenwich
• September 26 at 9:30 a.m. • October 16 at 9:30 a.m.
BEST OF THE GOLD COAST CT / Hyatt Regency Greenwich
All School Open House
Going for Gold
18 months – Grade 8 • October 27 at 1:00 p.m. • November 14 at 9:30 a.m.
T
here’s only one place in Fairfield County you can taste food fare from more than one town, sit in a Porsche and get a manicure all in one night: Best of the Gold Coast Connecticut. The community voted for its favorite businesses, restaurants and shops in the area and celebrated the winners in style. The fifteenth annual event was held at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich and welcomed close to 800 guests. This year, Moffly Media’s biggest party of the year benefited Kids in Crisis and saw a outpouring of support from sponsors representing food and drink, style and beauty and living and home. The event also featured live music, fun activities, a photobooth and much more. S
whitbyschool.org | 18 months—Grade 8 969 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT | 203.302.3900
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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T H E M I C H A E L B O LT O N C H A R I T I E S P R E S E N T S
Including a
Special Performance
by Michael + his band
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Saturday, October 12, 2019 STAMFORD MARRIOTT | STAMFORD, CT 6 PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION & SILENT AUCTION 7:30 PM DINNER, AWARD CEREMONY, PERFORMANCES AND DANCING
HONORING
IGOR TULCHINSKY FOUNDER, CHAIRMAN & CEO, WORLDQUANT
SPECIAL GUEST
JOAN LUNDEN AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST, BESTSELLING AUTHOR MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
EVENT CHAIRS
JEN DANZI
GOLD SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSOR
ALAN OYUGI
BRONZE SPONSOR
BENEFIT SPONSOR
TOM & PAMELA ANDERSON TINA PRAY AND JOSEPH LOCKRIDGE
TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT WWW.MICHAELBOLTONCHARITIES.COM OR CALL 203.483.6463
vows by joey macari
KATHRYN ELIZABETH OUTLAW AND TIMOTHY NEIL LOPAS 1
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY MOLLIE BURPO
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upid shot his arrow—OkCupid, that is—and brought Kathryn and Timothy Lopas together. Kathryn was impressed by Timothy’s ideal sense of organizational skills and plan-ahead attitude and messaged him on the app. They eventually found out both were set to attend the New York Road Runner’s race and met that evening for drinks at Lillie’s Victorian in Times Square, where their love story began. Three years later, Timothy bent down in what Kathryn described as, “perfect, military precision” and proposed. Kathryn and Timothy were married by the Rev. Douglas McArthur at Ma Maison in Dripping Springs, Texas, where Timothy grew up. They were set to say their “I do’s” outdoors, but due to predicted rain, the ceremony was moved indoors. Leading up to vows, it remained sunny, and Kathryn, dismayed at the situation, thought, “Please rain.” Shortly after, during the homily, a crack of thunder boomed and a storm erupted, to the bride’s delight. Kathryn is the daughter of Randall and Elizabeth Outlaw of Stamford. She graduated from Westhill High School and Georgetown University. She works for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York City. Timothy is the son of Terry and Marsha Lopas of Waco, Texas. He graduated from Midway High School in Waco and Texas A&M University. He works for PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York City. The couple honeymooned in New Zealand and currently reside in New York City. »
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1 Rev. Dr. Douglas McArthur flanked by bride and groom and Randall and Elizabeth Outlaw 2 A vision in lace 3 Bride’s family 4 Love n’ lace 5 Green accented candlelight 6 Bride and bridesmaids in floral robes 7 Sparks of love 8 Groom and his parents 9 Joan Katz, Maxwell Lesser and Caryn Lesser SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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vows 1
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KAREN ANN KELLY AND CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL MICKA
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1 Reverend Smolik officiates the ceremony 2 Love boat 3 All smiles on the yacht club dock 4 Dapper groomsmen with the groom 5 (front) Groom’s parents applaud the newlyweds 6 Bride and bridesmaids in nautical colors holding pink bouquets 7 Father and mother of the bride 8 Bride and Hobbs stamfordmag.com
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRUCE PLOTKIN
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hrough the power of hope, and perhaps the persistent verbalization of a familiar nursery rhyme, the predicted rain did not fall on Karen Kelly and Chris Micka’s wedding day. The couple had been dating for two years when Chris proposed in a somewhat hallmark fashion. He popped the question, literally, with a bottle of Champagne with the four-word query on the bottle’s label and a custom-made ring crafted by Russ Hollander, Master Goldsmith. They were married at the Stamford Yacht Club with the sun shining against an idyllic seaside backdrop. Reverend Peter Smolik officiated the ceremony, which was adorned with peonies, the bride’s favorite flower, and featured music entertainment by harpist Erin Hill during the cocktail hour. The evening culminated with a dinner inside the club, lots of dancing and smiles all around. The bride is the daughter of Peter and Betty Kelly of Mamaroneck, New York. She graduated from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in English and marketing. She works for Moffly Media and is the proud publisher for Stamford magazine. The groom is the son of Eugene and Catherine Micka of South Salem, New York. He graduated from Loyola University with a bachelor’s degree in business. He then received his MBA from Northeastern University. He is the media product manager for Interpublic Group in New York City. The couple honeymooned in Barbados and call Stamford home. »
Independent Schools - Open House
ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE AND VISIT DAYS
2019-2020
TRUSTS AND ESTATES
Is not just something we do; it is what we do. WILLS AND TRUSTS
BERKSHIRE SCHOOL BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
WEALTH TRANSFER
THE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL FAIRFIELD COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
TAX PLANNING
FAIRFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
PHILANTHROPY
GREENS FARMS ACADEMY GREENWICH ACADEMY
DAVIDSON, DAWSON & CLARK LLP
GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY
60 East 42nd Street New York, NY 212-557-7700
KING SCHOOL LONG RIDGE SCHOOL
18 Locust Avenue, 2nd Floor New Canaan, CT 203-966-8759
www.davidsondawson.com
MASTERS SCHOOL NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL PUTNAM INDIAN FIELD SCHOOL
The importance of beginnings
RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL RYE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL SACRED HEART GREENWICH
Open Houses September 27 at 9 a.m. October 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.
HOLY CHILD ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL STAMFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION WHITBY SCHOOL WINSTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL
FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSES, TOURS AND VISIT DAYS, PLEASE VISIT ILOVEFC.COM/OPENHOUSES
For ages 3 to 8 Stamford, CT / 203.329.8815 / www.childrensschool.org
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8/2/19 1:00 PM
Airlift Benefit 2019
Destination: Dominican Republic
Celebrating 40 years!
Saturday, October 5, 2019 Time: 5:30 p.m. | Westchester County Airport
Celebrate the Good Cocktails
Dinner
Dancing
Airlift Bon Voyage
DAN CE IT OUT
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Billy Blanks Jr.
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FEATURIN G
Sponsor
| americares.org/aab2019
hosted by 150 10 GROUP EXHIBITORS
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ZONES
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LIVE FREE FREE MUSIC
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SEPTEMBER 14 -15, 2019
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, 11AM-5PM HARBOR POINT BOARDWALK 1 HARBOR POINT RD, STAMFORD, CT stamfordmag.com
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An Essential Living Publication
HWL-EXPOS.COM EVENT PRODUCED BY
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Thursday, October 17, 2019 200 Elm Street, Stamford, CT 5:30 - 9:00 pm Leading Sponsor:
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To purchase tickets, visit hopeforhaiti.info/harvestinghope or email Sarah Porter at sarah@hopeforhaiti.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
faces of STAMFORD 2019 Stamford is filled with extraordinary professionals and businesses
that share their talent, knowledge and devotion with us every day. They are the essence of where we live and consistently strive to make our community one of the best in America.
Meet the 2019 Faces of Stamford >
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faces of STAMFORD 2019
the face of
COURAGEOUS THINKING King School
Bob Capazzo Photography
Dr. Josh Deitch, Head of Middle School, Amy Vorenberg, Head of Lower School, Dr. Karen Eshoo, Head of School and Marnie Sadlowsky, Head of Upper School Dr. Karen Eshoo, Head of School at King School, seeks more than achievement from her students. She and the Division Heads, pictured in the school’s Innovation Lab, are committed to opening minds and sparking courageous thinking so their students discover and forge their unique paths to excellence. “Our students are at the center of everything we do at King School. Because when we set better standards for both the experience and outcomes of education, students cultivate the insights and heart to own their future,” says Dr. Eshoo. As an institution that evolved from the mergers of three founding schools, King School knows a thing or two about challenging preconceived notions about
what good education looks like. That’s why they prioritize teaching students how to think rather than what to think. At King, students ask for more of their education. They pursue meaningful research, boldly intertwine academic subjects, and share their learning in diverse formats. They deepen their understanding through the give and take of different perspectives to become active and nimble learners. King students discover a better way to be their best. Open House: Grades 6-11: Oct. 6. PreK-Grade 5: Nov. 3. 1450 NEWFIELD AVENUE • STAMFORD 203.322.3496 • KINGSCHOOLCT.ORG
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faces of STAMFORD 2019
the face of
NEW AMERICAN SEAFOOD F.I.S.H. Restaurant + Bar
Critically acclaimed F.I.S.H. Restaurant + Bar, located in the heart of downtown Stamford, prides itself in its reputation for a trendsetting menu and sophisticated cocktails. Featuring a beautiful dining room, full bar and outdoor patio - a lively, open and airy atmosphere lends itself to a professional and modish crowd with a vibrant dining scene. Its innovative and expansive menu featuring New American global cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood reinforces its mission to please every palate. “You can get great food and service in many
restaurants these days,” says Jared. “But for us, that’s only part of the equation. We want our guests to experience a sense of community, in addition to exceptional cuisine. I often receive feedback that our staff is especially welcoming and friendly. They ensure our guests feel comfortable and are part of something bigger than all of us. As far as I’m concerned, they are the ‘Faces Of’ FISH, and in turn our recipe for success.” 245 BEDFORD STREET • STAMFORD 203.724.9300 • FISHSTAMFORD.COM
Bob Capazzo Photography
Judd Malin, Jared Vergilis and Gino Riccio (not pictured)
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, December 5, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
2019
Photos by Melani Lust
Please join us as we honor the extraordinary work of our community heroes. Plus: Community Impact Awards, honoring two outstanding nonprofits Presented by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
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Get involved and make a difference in a child’s life today! For just $5.25, you can be the difference this weekend for a child in need. OR Volunteer for a 2-hour time slot as a group or an individual and help us pack and deliver weekend meals directly to over 2,000 children in need.
September 6, 2019 Join us for a five-course culinary event featuring the area’s most prestigious chefs. Reserve your table now!
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heir focus, determination, ambition and clarity makes them so admirable that it’s easy to forget that many of this year’s 10 TEENS TO WATCH can’t even vote yet. But as each of them swiftly ticks off their accomplishments, awards and leadership roles, it’s easy to see that they are already amazing. And these go-getters are just getting started. Before they jet off into their bright futures, let’s take a moment to celebrate their stack of impressive stats (don’t miss page 82) and their ambitious goals ahead.
Past, Present
& OUR Promising Futures
TEENS by camill a a. herrer a
| p ortr aits by kyle norton
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
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TAYLOR YAGHMAIE 01 // Greatest challenge // “Learning how to balance school and extracurriculars. Transitioning into high school was a big step; workload increased and subjects got much harder. Learning how to manage my time well, was a big challenge, but I was able to learn how to balance all my activities by organizing work calendars so I would be on top of everything.”
Secret talent // “I am double jointed.”
job is an
but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do. No matter what it is, I always work to give 100 percent.”
FBI agent.”
Style signature // “Athleisure.”
I unwind by… “going down to the Stamford Yacht Club and watching the sunset.”
“My dream
Role model // “My grandparents. They emigrated from Iran. They came to America, learned how to speak English, and created an amazing life for their two children. They have showed me that although there are many challenges in life, you should always be hardworking and kind.”
Lesson learned // “Some things are not worth getting upset over. It’s important to pick and choose your battles and get upset over things that matter in the long run, but not let the little things bother me.”
Pet peeve // “When someone calls me by my twin sister’s name. I’m my own person, and we look nothing alike!”
Study tips // “Listening to music off the computer to divert attention from the biggest distraction of our age—our phones.”
Role models // “My parents. They are both hard-working, giving, kind people and they provide so much for me. I aspire to be like them and do as much as they do for family, friends and the community.” Favorite teacher // “Brittany Salvatore. Not only was she my teacher, she also was my friend and coach. She is someone I could always look to if I needed anything, and she is very, very
If I could change the world, I would... “end all wars.” If I could travel to anywhere in the world, it would be to... “Capri, Italy.” The best part about my school is... “my friends.”
Pre-game ritual // “Always having a good meal before my match or game. My favorite is #13 from Giacomo’s Deli and listening to the same playlist to get excited.” Superhero power // “I would want to be able to time travel, because when I have a busy schedule, it would make me less stressed.”
DEVON YAGHMAIE
Personal motto // “Be true to yourself, embrace opportunities and work hard. Through any opportunity that I am given, I work hard and do my best because if you don’t work hard, you will never be the best.”
I’m in the middle of bingewatching... “Beverly Hills 90210.”
Future dream job // “An FBI agent.”
Personal motto // “There may be people who have more talent than you,
Lesson learned // “Nothing is handed to you in life. If you want something you need to work hard and go get it.”
Creative outlet // “Photography.”
Guilty pleasure // “Definitely a mint Oreo Blizzard from Dairy Queen.”
Give back // “One of my favorite ways is through sports. At my school, I am a helper with Unified Sports and help the special needs kids play basketball. Also, I help underprivileged kids learn tennis through the Stamford Youth Tennis Association.”
02 // Greatest challenge // “The first time I volunteered with Unified Sports, I was paired with some kids who couldn’t really speak. I had to figure out how to communicate and get them to understand what I was saying. I had to use a lot of actions to help guide them into playing and following instructions.”
Stamford High School
caring. She has taught me so much.”
Stamford High School
“ Nothing
Study tips // “My most successful study tip is using flash cards and making a schedule so I can make sure I can balance my extracurriculars with my school work.”
is handed to you in life.
Fun fact // “I’m good at drawing.” I’m in the middle of bingewatching... “Riverdale.” If I could change the world, I would... “end hatred and spread kindness everywhere.”
Favorite movie // “Miracle.”
If you want
Pet peeve // “Being called Taylor.”
something,
If I could travel to anywhere in the world, it would be to... “Italy.”
Biggest teen dilemma // “Cellphone use. Many people are so caught up in their devices that they aren’t socializing as much. Phones have also caused teens to have short attention spans, which makes learning and studying hard.”
you need
The best part about my school is... “the diversity.”
to work hard and go get it. ”
Guilty pleasure // “Eating raw cookie dough.” Celebrity prom date // “Zac Efron.” Favorite family vacation // “Delray Beach, Florida. We go there every year to visit my grandparents. We go to the beach club and play tennis, go to the beach and swim in the pool.” College plans // “I want to major in business because I am looking for a career in marketing or finance.” Secret talent // “Braiding hair.”
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CLASS OF 2019
pet peeve
“WHEN SOMEONE CALLS ME MY TWIN SISTER’S NAME. I’M MY OWN PERSON AND WE LOOK NOTHING ALIKE!”
O1 TAYLOR YAGHMAIE Stamford High School
O2 DEVON YAGHMAIE Stamford High School
pet peeve
“BEING CALLED TAYLOR.”
CLASS OF 2019
JUSTIN KIPNESS 03 // Last summer // “As part of my two-year independent study at Westhill, I worked at the Miller Lab, which is part of the Department of Surgery at NYU Langone Health. I am part of a team that conducted research in tumor immunology in pancreatic cancer. Part of our work included investigating tumor immunology at the molecular level in order to find possible ways to treat the disease. The lab, which uses flow-cytometry, a technique that quantifies immune cell populations, focuses mainly on the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. I helped research the immune cell populations in the tumor microenvironment and how that influences oncogenesis.” Career goals // “I would love to become a professor teaching biological sciences and conducting research, in a lab and out in nature. As a researcher and professor, I would also be able to travel and help communities across the globe. Besides science, I also like to write, specifically nonfiction. So at some point I would like to write a book about my research, travels or anything significant that happens to me.”
Favorite pastime // “I really enjoy biking and the outdoors. For the last three summers I have gone on bike trips in Maine, along the Pacific Coast and across Europe. Last summer I biked from Amsterdam to Paris to Venice. The best part was biking over Mount Silvretta in Austria. I got to hold snow in the summer, which was pretty cool.”
Westhill High School “ I would love to become a professor teaching biological
Favorite team // “My younger brother plays academy soccer for NYCFC so in my house, we are big NYCFC and Manchester City fans.”
sciences and conducting
Fun fact about you // “My family has a farm, Kippy’s Farm. About eight years ago my dad bought three chickens, which spiraled into eventually having thirty chickens, twenty ducks, 100 rabbits, five geese, four pigs— about fifteen pigs when one had babies—and six goats. I love growing up with goslings imprinting on me, ducks quacking in my family room and goats giving birth in my backyard.”
research, in a lab and out in nature.”
of ecosystems is a serious problem, and the most likely way to solve many of these large-scale problems is by implementing microbiological and genetic techniques. Learning about molecular biology and ecosystems together is also important to developing future cities and other man-made structures to be in rhythm with nature.” Favorite food // “I love sushi, especially ikura and spicy tuna rolls. I really like trying new food. Recently my dad and I tried jellyfish at a Chinese restaurant in Queens. It was surprisingly tasty, not that slimy and good for the environment.” I’m in the middle of bingewatching… “How I Met Your Mother, for the twentieth time.” The last book I read was… “Natural Born Heroes, by Christopher McDougall.” If I could travel to anywhere in the world, it would be to... “the Amazon Rainforest, African jungles and national parks in Asia. I want to travel to remote and biodiverse locations all over Earth. I also would like to do more traveling on bicycle. I have always wanted to bike from the tip of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina.
College plans // “I want to double major in molecular and cellular biology, and ecology and evolutionary biology. I really enjoy learning about biology at the molecular level and applying it on a larger scale. I think the destruction stamfordmag.com
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Greenwich Country Day School Learning that matters: Nursery - 12th grade Preparing young people to learn, lead, and thrive in a world of rapid change From nursery to grade 12, learning at Greenwich Country Day School is challenging, relevant, and purposeful. Through inquiry, analysis, public speaking, transdisciplinary experiences, and opportunities to present their work in exhibitions and apply their learning to real-world situations, GCDS students gain a strong academic foundation and
Open House Grades 9 - 12 10/22 • 7 p.m. Grades N - 8 10/27 • 1 p.m. To RSVP for an Open House and for more information ↗ gcds.net/admissions ↗ 203-863-5610 ↗ admissions@gcds.net ↗ 401 Old Church Road Greenwich CT 06830
acquire critical skills, habits of mind, and confidence.
A co-educational, independent, Nursery – Grade 12 school located in Greenwich, CT, GCDS is a/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ joyful environment where \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ curiosity and/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ creativity are valued, \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ resilience is cultivated, and the health /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ and well-being of every student is essential.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Greenwich Country Day School is a co-ed, independent Nursery – Grade 12 college \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ preparatory day school in Greenwich, CT that graduates ethical, confident\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ learners and /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ leaders with a strong sense of purpose—ready to embrace opportunities and challenges \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ in a world of rapid change.
KATHERINE WILLIAMS
Westhill High School
“ If I could change the world, I would ensure that everyone has access to clean drinking water and adequate health care.”
04 // Greatest challenge // “Losing my mom during my freshman year of high school. The incredible community of Stamford and my twin brother all were extremely supportive and selfless and did everything they possibly could to help me through life in high school. It was also important for me to keep a positive outlook and be grateful for everything I have. I tried to make every decision and accomplishment something my mom would be proud of. I do it all for her.” Lesson learned // “Hard work pays off. Oftentimes during high school there are moments when you question the purpose of everything you’re doing. Sometimes you reach a point where all of the work becomes too overwhelming; you feel like it’d just be so much easier to give up and throw in the towel. However, after being accepted to my dream college and finally graduating high school, I have truly realized that all of the late nights, attempts to fit things into every second of every day and hard work isn’t actually for naught. If you put in the hard work, something will come of it.” Personal motto // “When they go low, we go high. My best friend and I say that to each other at least once a day. In life, everyone faces troubling situations. You might not be able to control what is happening, but you can control how you respond.“ Last summer // “I interned at Keter Environmental Services [and] continued my part-time job at Oxygen Fitness in New Canaan. Other than that, I spent the rest of my time with my friends and family, making the most of my last summer before college.” Celebrity prom date // “Tom Holland.” Biggest teen dilemma // “Social media. It takes away from emotional connections and relationships that are essential to life. It also causes [teens] to miss out on the present.” Future goals // “Currently, I want to major in global health because it allows me to combine my interest in health and medicine with my interest in government and policy. My dream job would be getting to travel the world researching and helping to solve global health crises.” Why music // “I play flute, piano, and mallet percussion, specifically marimba. Music has always been an outlet for me. With playing, there is always a new challenge to conquer. It is never boring.” I would love to cure… “dementia.” The last book I read was… “Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston.” If I could change the world, I would… “ensure that everyone has access to clean drinking water and adequate health care.”
Above & Beyond
Innovative teachers turn blah, blah, blah into... Aha! Abby Abbott uses technology to connect modern students to ancient history—creating endless aha! moments. Watch Abby’s magic at www.stlukesct.org/greatteachers.
Open Houses - Join Us! Middle School - Sunday, October 20 Upper School - Sunday, October 27 www.stlukesct.org/visit St. Luke’s is a secular, college preparatory day school for grades 5-12 and a Best Private High School in CT - niche.com 203.801.4833 | 377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
CLASS OF 2019
O6 ELI GILLESPIE St. Luke’s School
If I could change the world, I would...
“END GLOBAL WARMING.”
O5 LESLIE GUERRA Academy of Information Technology & Engineering
If I could change the world, I would...
“ELIMINATE POACHING.”
LESLIE GUERRA 05 // Give back // “I volunteer at Person to Person, where I use my fluency in Spanish to better help Spanish-speaking customers and make them feel more comfortable. I also tutor elementary school students at First Presbyterian Church. As an RSPACEE classroom leader, I work with other AITE students to interest children in science through fun experiments. I am also an active Interact Club member.” Personal motto // “If I can take it, I can make it. So long as I can overcome the challenges that life throws at me, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.” Role model // “Steve Irwin. His show The Crocodile Hunter was my first obsession. His love for animals and their well-being was so clearly conveyed in his shows. He taught me to love all animals and was partially responsible for my current lack of fear in certain ones, like snakes and spiders. In his series, he would emphasize the unique beauty of every species and never blamed them for the injuries he sustained on his adventures. One of his quotes has stuck with me for a very long time: ‘I have no fear of losing my life—if
“ I would like to major in ecology and evolutionary biology because it involves all of my interests regarding wildlife and its foundations.”
I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.’ He is who I strive to be.” Favorite food // “Sopa de bola, a traditional Ecuadorian dish. It consists of ball-shaped masses made from green plantains filled with meat, vegetables and beef broth. It is also typically served with corn and yuca. My grandmother always makes this meal for me when I visit her. When I get to have it in the U.S., I feel as though I have a little piece of Ecuador with me, even though I am so far away.” Favorite family vacation // “When I traveled to Ecuador a few years ago. Prior to that trip, I had been petrified of sharks. While I was extremely scared of them, I was equally interested in them. I wanted to get past this fear and observe these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. So, on that vacation, I went shark-cage diving with my older sister. This experience was a pivotal moment in my life and made me feel empowered to continue breaking down barriers.”
regarding wildlife and its foundations. Furthermore, it is a major that would allow me to continue onto veterinary school, bringing me closer to my dream.” Career goal // “I hope to work in a sanctuary or zoo as a wildlife veterinarian until I save enough money to travel to locations where animals are most threatened. My first stop will definitely be Africa, specifically Tanzania. I hope to establish sanctuaries there and be heavily involved in searching for animals in need of my care, no matter the danger that may lay ahead. I would also love to do the same in the Amazon Rainforest, beginning in Ecuador.” If I could change the world, I would… “eliminate poaching.” The biggest teen dilemma is… “being heard about major issues that impact the nation and world.“
College plans // “I would like to major in ecology and evolutionary biology because it involves all of my interests
ELI GILLESPIE 06 // Greatest challenge // “I was denied acceptance to a musical program I really wanted to attend, which discouraged me from drumming for a while. However, I eventually realized that I played the drums because I loved doing it and it was an integral part of my life.”
Academy of Information Technology & Engineering
St. Luke’s School
Biggest teen dilemma // “Social media, because it can be very distracting and time-consuming.” Guilty pleasure // “Eating Captain Crunch for dinner.”
“ I would love
In ten years, I’ll be… “the president of my own record label.
to pursue
I’m in the middle of bingewatching… “Rick and Morty.”
a career
I aspire to learn… “how to drive stick shift.”
Favorite family vacation // “In 2012, my family and I went to Taiwan for spring break, and it was cool because I met relatives I had never met before.”
related to either sports
I would love to cure… “Alzheimer’s disease.”
Future goals // “I would love to pursue a career related to either sports journalism or media or go into the music industry, either as a musician or an executive”
journalism
The last book I read was… “Sing, Unburied, Sing, by Jesmyn Ward.”
or media or
If I could change the world, I would… “end global warming.”
Sports idol // “Jeremy Lin, and I am a fan of the New York Knicks.”
music
Why music // “I love the collaborative process of being in a band, and I love the drums because it activates the creative side of my brain. My musical idol is Questlove from The Roots. He’s also the drummer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
industry,
Favorite food // “Chicken wings.”
Secret talent // “I make a really good grilled cheese.”
executive.”
Pet peeve // “When I wake up and my sister is using the bathroom.”
Fun fact about you // “My mom’s birthday is the day after mine.”
Study tips // “I try to study in forty-five-minute increments with a fifteen-minute break in between. I also time myself to incentivize myself to work more efficiently and to prevent procrastination.” Personal motto // “Calm down, which I live by because I try to keep a rational and relaxed mind-set, even during the stress of high school and the college-application process.” Celebrity prom date // “Billie Eilish.” Style signature // “Sweatpants and a hoodie.” Go-to study snack // “Mandarin oranges.”
go into the
either as a musician or an
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 STAMFORD
75
SAM HILLENMEYER
King School
“ If I could change the world, I would wipe out terrorism.”
07 // Greatest challenge // “I had debilitating shyness when I was really young. My parents helped me by having me take ‘courage tries;’ they would be with me when I tried something I thought was scary and would celebrate whatever the outcome was. They snapped a photo of me taking my ‘courage try,’ and then I would look at the photo and tell my mom how I felt before, during and after. Then we put it in a photo book and read the book every night at bedtime. It grew to be quite a long book, but it helped me gain selfconfidence.” Lesson learned // “Always tell my mom first before I take down the Wi-Fi to service it!” Give back // “I am very active in my parish at Holy Spirit Church. I’ve been an altar server since third grade, and now as a senior server, I help train new altar servers coming into the ministry. I also volunteer my time and skills to assist others in my community with computer, Wi-Fi, electrical and audiovisual needs.” Style signature // “Athletic shorts and t-shirts…and bow ties…but not at the same time.” Role model // “My Papa [maternal grandfather Thomas Boyce]. In his early years, he was a code cracker for the NSA, which I always thought was really cool. He loved to fix and tinker with things and always included me in his projects. My Papa had a strong faith and loved his family very much. I aspire to be just like my grandpa.” Pet peeve // “Missing parts and/or horribly written assembly instructions.” Career goals // “I want to create a more efficient energy source that does not cause any harm to the environment.” Secret talent // “I have a keen sense of direction and have a photographic memory when it comes to maps.” Creative outlet // “I am currently designing and building a model train village. It includes railway, downtown area, ski resort, beach, airport, scenic area filled with mountains, tunnels, rivers and waterfalls.” I unwind by… “I go for a run.” In ten years, I’ll be… “an engineer.” If I could change the world, I would… “wipe out terrorism.” If I could travel to anywhere in the world, it would be to... “Switzerland to ski in the Alps.” Another fun fact is… “I am the handyman around the house. I am in the process of installing electrical outlets in my basement and rewiring the lights onto their own circuit breaker.”
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Congratulations to the Stamford Public Schools Class of 2019 We wish our graduates well as they head to institutions of higher learning, careers and the U.S. Armed Forces. Albertus Magnus College
Hamilton College
Pennsylvania State University
United States Military Academy
Alfred University
Harford Community College
Pine Manor College
University at Albany (SUNY)
American University
Harvard University
Plymouth State University
University of Bridgeport
Arizona State University
Hawaii Pacific University
Porter and Chester Institute
University of California Los Angeles
Becker College
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CLASS OF 2019
C E L E B R E T I N G OUR TEENS
DANIEL SORIAL 08 // Greatest challenge // “I run cross-country for Stamford High. My freshman year I ran 19:59 in the 5K, and my sophomore year I ran 18:30. I wanted to improve by more. The summer before junior year, I planned to run six days a week as part of my training, but after just two weeks, I was injured. I kept running, but on some days the pain was unbearable, and for the entire regular season, I was unable to break 19:30. For the county championships that ended the season, I altered my running technique and ended up running a 17:50, forty seconds faster than I ever had run, even though both my legs still hurt. By trying something new and working hard, anything is possible.” Study tips // “People, when studying the night before an exam, will cram information into the night, then go immediately to sleep. However, studies have proven that information retention is better if material is reviewed up to an hour before going to sleep.” Pet peeve // “When teachers don’t tell us there’s homework and then post it online.” Guilty pleasure // “Nutella!”
Give back // “I am currently working on a project through Instagram. With over 50,000 followers, I am building a merchandising company, and I hope to use the platform to sell merchandise and donate all proceeds to the Organization of Autism Research.” Last summer // “I was part of the Bank of America Student Leaders program at the Boys & Girls Club. I worked their website and helped run the summer camp. I also attended a summit in Washington, D.C., where the country’s Student Leaders came together to learn how to make our communities better.”
Academy of Information Technology & Engineering “ If I could
My favorite movie is… “Good Will Hunting.”
change the world,
A little-known fact about me is that… “I have a twin brother with autism.”
I would
I aspire to learn… “about more cultures around the world.”
fix global
The last book I read was… “A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking.”
warming through solar technological
College plans // “I want to major in computer science; my dad is a computer programmer and he passed his love of coding onto me. I want to then start a technology company and become a billionaire.”
development.”
Pre-game ritual // “Before a race, I always take a nap on the bus.” Sports idol // “Tom Brady for sure. I’m a huge Patriots fan, and he constantly impresses me with what he’s able to achieve even if everyone says he’d too old and washed out.”
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If I could change the world, I would… “fix global warming through solar technological development.” The best part about my school is… “my friends.”
Admission Open House Sunday, October 20, 2019 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:30 PM
Lower & Middle School Diversity at GA Upper School
greenwichacademy.org/admission
CORE VALUES
RYE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
R ESPECT AND
RESPONSIBILITY
www.ryecountryday.org
C OMMITMENT TO
MISSION
COMMUNITY
"... a co-ed, college prep school dedicated to providing students from Pre-K through grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches." - Excerpt from the RCDS mission statement
Rye Country Day has a diverse and inclusive student body. 912 students come from a 20-mile radius surrounding the School, representing 41 school districts from NY and CT. 34% of students self-identify as people of color.
PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
DIVERSITY WITHIN AN
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
SERVICE
FAST FACTS 8:1
Student/Faculty Ratio
25
Lower/Middle School Clubs
50+
Upper School Clubs
15
Avg. Upper School Class Size
72
Interscholastic Sports Teams
2
Dining Halls (serving healthy lunch and snacks to all grades)
1869 Not for Self, but for Service. - School motto
TUITION $37,250 in Pre-K to $45,500 in Grade 12
FINANCIAL AID RCDS distributes $5.9M in need-based financial aid grants to 16% of the student body funded in part by the School's $56M endowment.
COLLEGE MATRICULATION The most popular college matriculation choices for RCDS students 2015-2019 (number of students attending in parentheses):
Cornell University (30) | University of Pennsylvania (28)
CAMPUS & LOCATION
PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 6 & 20, 2019 - 1 P.M.
FOUNDED
The 26-acre campus features state-of-the-art academic, athletic, and creative facilities and is conveniently accessible by train and car. Students and faculty commute from Fairfield and Westchester counties and New York City.
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New York University (18) | Harvard University (17) Duke University (16) | Brown University (15) | University of Michigan (15) | Colgate University (14) | Georgetown University (14) | Vanderbilt University (14) | Washington University in St. Louis (14) | Bucknell University (10) Stanford University (10) | University of Southern California (10) | Dartmouth College (9) | Yale University (9) Northwestern University (8) | University of Chicago (8) University of Wisconsin, Madison (8) | Wake Forest University (8) | Wesleyan University (8)
PATRICK CARLON 09 // Greatest challenge // “Overcoming a fear of speaking in front of groups of people. I was resistant to try out for our fall play or spring musical because I was hesitant to have all eyes on me. However, after being encouraged by my friends to transition from stage crew to the stage itself, I discovered a joy for performing. I was rewarded for taking this risk by earning a lead role in The Pajama Game at school.” Lesson learned // “How good it feels to help others. My friend Sophie and I organized a drive for the Scholars Program at our school that assembled donated comfort bags for patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Bennett Cancer Center. When we delivered them to the hospital and saw the look of appreciation on the face of the volunteer coordinator, it made all the time we spent collecting the items and assembling the bags worth it.” Personal motto // “A friend in need is a friend indeed. I am always there for my friends no matter what they are going through, and I do my best to help them with whatever challenges they are facing, without judgment.”
“ If I could
Celebrity prom date // “Kendall Jenner.”
If I could change the world, I would... “spread positivity.”
change
Style signature // “Vineyard Vines.”
the world,
Favorite movie // “Forrest Gump.”
If I could travel to anywhere in the world, it would be to... “London.”
I would
Favorite food // “Veal parmigiana.”
spread
Biggest teen dilemma // “The pressures teens face to get good standardized testing scores.”
positivity. ”
Guilty pleasure // “Chick-fil-A.” Favorite family vacation // “When I go to Cape Cod with my family and we usually bring at least one friend. One time we brought my friends Sophie and Fiona and we had a great time.”
Give back // “One job I really enjoy doing is volunteering at the hospital. Not only do I meet inspiring physician-mentors but also have the chance to meet patients from diverse backgrounds. I’m there to listen; sometimes patients just need to unwind and talk about something other than their current condition. In return, I get to learn valuable lessons from patients’ life experiences.” Celebrity prom date // “I would ask Hasan Minhaj, because he did a Netflix stand-up special called Homecoming King, about how his prom date cancelled last minute so he didn’t end up going. I would definitely take him so he can at least go to prom once in his life. Also, we would have a great time because we would make jokes all night.” Favorite food // My mom makes a dish called Pulao, a traditional Pakistani dish. It’s rice cooked in broth and meat
I aspire to learn… “how to put more backspin on my golf shot. “ In ten years, I’ll be... “paying off my student loans!” The best part about my school is... “the small, close community.”
College goals // “I really want to double major in architecture and civil engineering. I love drawing things and also seeing things created. I also would like to minor in marketing.” Favorite subject // “History, because it is always being created.” Secret talent // “Singing.” Creative outlet // “Painting.” Sports idol // “Jordan Spieth.” Fun fact about you // “I am a triplet.”
WAFA NOMANI 10 // Lesson learned //“Actions say more than words. I ask advice from a lot of people on how to improve myself and how they became so successful, but I realized I was learning more valuable lessons from those who led by example.”
Trinity Catholic High School
King School
and served with yogurt sauce, ideally paired with Pakistani-style lemonade.”
“ I’m there
Biggest teen dilemma // “There are so many things that define me or that could define me. Choosing from that is a real dilemma. I am constantly changing what defines me, who I am, who I should be. But on top of that, not being selfish and caring for others around me, realizing that there’s more to this world than just me.”
to listen.
College plans // “I want to major in biochemistry because in order to understand medicine and the underlying mechanisms of disease, you need to fully understand the biochemistry behind it all. Plus, I love it.”
something
Career goals // “I really want to be a physician. I don’t know what specialty yet; I keep changing my mind. Right now, I want to be a cardiologist. I’m fascinated by disorders of the cardiovascular system especially because they’re so common. Once I become a physician, it will be worth exploring different communities and helping the underprivileged population.”
condition. In
Sometimes patients just need to unwind and talk about other than their current return, I get to learn valuable lessons from patient’s life experiences. ”
Pre-test ritual // “Eating twelve
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almonds. My mom says almonds are good for your brain and improve your memory and thinking. I’m not entirely sure that’s true, but I do it anyway.” Secret talent // “I love cooking and baking. I love trying out new dessert. I used to make cakes, but now I like experimenting with custards and truffles. I can also make really good chicken kebabs with yogurt sauce; anything is delicious with yogurt.” I would love to cure… “diseases that result from an impoverished state. Water-related, hygiene-related, nutrition-related and parasite-related diseases should not be in our world today, yet they’re still prevalent and a major cause of death in impoverished communities.” I’m in the middle of bingewatching... “The Resident.” My favorite movie is… “Aladdin. The old version. It’s my all-time favorite. I’ve always wanted to be like Princess Jasmine, plus Aladdin was my first crush.” When studying, I love… “eating almonds and chocolate!”
CLASS OF 2019
O9 PATRICK CARLON Trinity Catholic High School
college goal
“I WANT TO DOUBLE MAJOR IN ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING…. ALSO MINOR IN MARKETING.”
career goal
“I REALLY WANT TO BE A PHYSICIAN.”
10 WAFA NOMANI King School
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN A GLANCE 01 TAYLOR YAGHMAIE Senior, Stamford High School • Honor Roll • National Honor Society • Science National Honor Society • Varsity Field Hockey • All-FCIAC honorable mention, field hockey • Varsity Tennis, captain • All-FCIAC First Team, tennis, freshman, sophomore, and junior years • All-State First Team, tennis, freshman, sophomore, and junior years • Connecticut State Open Doubles Champion (with sister Devon), freshman year • Connecticut State Open Doubles Finalist (with sister Devon), sophomore year • Class of 2020 Treasurer • Unified Sports volunteer • Stamford Youth Tennis Association volunteer • Bennett Cancer Center Teen Committee member
02 DEVON YAGHMAIE Senior, Stamford High School • Honor Roll • National Honor Society • Science National Honor Society • Varsity Field Hockey, captain • All-FCIAC honorable mention, field hockey • Varsity Tennis, captain • All-FCIAC First Team, tennis, freshman, sophomore, and junior years • All-State First Team, tennis, , freshman, sophomore, and junior years • Connecticut State Open Doubles Champion (with sister Taylor), freshman year • Connecticut State Open Doubles Finalist (with sister Taylor), sophomore year • Stamford High School Athletic Council • Student Council • Unified Sports volunteer • Stamford Youth Tennis Association volunteer • Bennett Cancer Center Teen Committee member
wildlife conservation • Youth group assistant leader at Person to Person • Tutor at First Presbyterian Church • Recipient of a Council on International Educational Exchange Study Abroad scholarship
03 JUSTIN KIPNESS Senior, Westhill High School • High Honors with Distinctions • National Honor Society • Spanish National Honor Society • Recipient of First Place Award at Westhill’s Science Fair 2018 • President Class of 2020, four years • Varsity Soccer, junior and senior years • Westhill Representative for the Stamford Board of Education • Westhill Environmental Club, president
06 ELI GILLESPIE Senior, St. Luke’s School • High Honor Roll • Youth Orchestra at the Jazz Standard, drummer • St. Luke’s Blues Band, drummer • The Swingset Mamas bandmember • St. Luke’s Radio Sports Announcer
04 KATHERINE WILLIAMS Freshman, Yale University (Westhill High School) • High Honor Roll, four years • National Honor Society, president • Spanish National Honor Society • Tri-M Music Honor Society • Recipient of the Harvard Book Award • Marching Band, drum major • Winter Percussion, front ensemble captain • Section editor for school newspaper, The Westword • Girls Scouts of America, ambassador • Academy of Finance member • Attending Yale University this fall
07 SAM HILLENMEYER Junior, King School • King Scholar • Winner of King Science Fair, sophomore year • Selected for King’s Advanced Math and Science Research Program, sophomore year • Selected to represent King at the Machine Learning Symposium, New York Academy of Sciences, sophomore year • Participant in the Duke University Intensive STEM Academy • Participant in the National Student Leadership Conference: Engineering Program at Yale University • Varsity Cross-Country, freshman and sophomore years, captain-elect junior year • Varsity Golf, freshman and sophomore years • King Boys’ Choir • STEM Club • Math Team • Holy Spirit High School Youth Group, senior altar server
05 LESLIE GUERRA Senior, Academy of Information Technology & Engineering • Four-Star Honor Roll • National Honor Society • National Science Honor Society • National Spanish Honor Society, treasurer • Winner of the Altice Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest • Recipient of the Fairfield University Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science • Advanced Chamber Choir, alto • RSPACEE classroom leader • Interact Club, organizer • Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, executive • Intern at SoundWaters, certified in
08 DANIEL SORIAL Senior, Academy of Information Technology & Engineering • Four Star Honor Roll, three years • National Honor Society • Science National Honor Society • Scholar Leader Award, Connecticut Association of Schools
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• Varsity Cross-Country, captain senior year • Indoor/Outdoor Track, captain senior year • Cross Country/Indoor Track/ Outdoor Track • Debate Club, captain senior year • Recipient of the Fifth Speaker Award at the Vassar Parliamentary Invitational • Math Club, captain senior year • Chess Club • Programming Club, founder • Volunteer at Academy of Information Technology & Engineering Summer Academy
09 PATRICK CARLON Senior, Trinity Catholic High School • High Honors and Honors with Distinction • National Honor Society • St. Thomas Aquinas Scholars • Recipient of the Joseph A. Romano Scholarship, freshman year • Mickey Lione Jr. Scholarship, runner-up • Student Council, sophomore and junior years • Recipient of the Halo Award for Best Stage Management in high school Connecticut theater, sophomore year • Varsity Golf • Varsity Cross-Country • Multicultural Club • Business Club
10 WAFA NOMANI Junior, King School • King Scholar • Honor Roll • Recipient of the second place prize in the King Science Fair, sophomore year • Selected for King’s Advanced Math and Science Research Program, sophomore year • Participant in the National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine • Girls Advancing in STEM (GAINS) Club • Math Team
Is your child struggling in school? We can help. New York 126 West 17th Street New York, NY 10011 212-496-8400 @WPSNY
Connecticut 57 West Rocks Road Norwalk, CT 06851 203-229-0465 @WinstonPrepCT
New Jersey 901 Route 10 East Whippany, NJ 07981 973-500-6480 @WinstonPrepNJ
Long Island 30 Deforest Road Dix Hills, NY 11746 631-779-2400 @WinstonPrepLI
240 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 646-869-4600 @WPTransitions
APPLY NOW www.winstonprep.edu | facebook.com/winstonprepschool The Winston Preparatory School does not discriminate against applicants and students on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin. The WPSLI campus is not associated with the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.
NURTURING THE GOOD STUDENT AND THE GOOD PERSON IN EACH CHILD AGES 2 THROUGH GRADE 5 • Spectacular wooded campus in North Stamford • Small class sizes; low ratios; excellent teachers • Inquiry based; experiential learning • Gold-standard academic programs in math, literacy, science, music and the arts • Theme immersion; interdisciplinary approach • An active and joyful learning experience
CONTACT US FOR A TOUR! 478 ERSKINE ROAD, STAMFORD, CT 06903 203.322.7693 | WWW.LONGRIDGESCHOOL.ORG
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Swim Team and Senior Program Director Jamie Barone at Chelsea Piers Connecticut
by sc ot t thomas
changing
LANES! Competitive swimmer JAMIE BARONE pursued Olympic glory, and won his dream job at Chelsea Piers
PHOTOGRAPH COURESTY OF CHELSEA PIERS CONNECTICUT
J
gowns and, finally, into the world of coaching. The goal? Well, there was no real goal. Jamie’s career path can best be described as seat-of-the-pants decision-making. It was like getting the keys to the car for a long drive with no clear destination. There was no GPS, no seat belt and no precise or logical pattern. “Where do we turn now?” Jamie’s conscious continually asked him. “I don’t know. Let’s try a left and see where it takes us. How about now? Let’s try
amie Barone’s career journey started as a toddler, when his mother insisted he could swim independently by age two. The intervening years, however, took unexpected twists and turns that included a fascination with hockey, a bizarre college recruiting experience, training with a highly regarded national coach and the most decorated Olympian of all time, rapid ascent to the national stage, a stint selling women’s designer
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COMING OF AGE Barone took to water early, and his family joined the Darien YMCA shortly after moving from New Jersey in 1990. He played a lot of sports as a youngster but quit swimming as a teenager because his joints constantly ached. In high school, he played ice hockey at Fairfield Prep for his first two years. “That didn’t exactly work out,’’ Jamie remembers of his hockey years. “I didn’t make the team in my junior year, and I ended up playing for other teams as a final hurrah. It was time to hang up my skates.” He joined the Prep swim team as a senior and helped the team win its first State Open championship. He had successes, but, perhaps more important, he was finally pain-free. “The doctors said when you’re done growing, your knees will stop bothering you. I built up all my muscles in skating,’’ Barone explains. He planned to attend postgraduate school, but the offer fell through when the coach moved on in June. Scrambling to find a college option just a few weeks before the start of the fall term, Barone enrolled at Loyola University Maryland, one of three schools that had shown previous interest. He saw the campus for the first time on move-in day. “I was just having fun,” he says, “but I was getting better each year.”
“Jamie had a passion for wanting to achieve greatness... he befriended a young michael phelps and kevin clement
and wanted to train with them in hopes to make NCAA and the Olympic team.” brian loeffler, head coach of swimming and diving at loyola
captain, set school records, earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year honors and ultimately won six conference championships. The school standards he set at Loyola lasted for up to eight years. “Jamie had a passion for wanting to achieve greatness,’’ says Brian Loeffler, who coached Barone at Loyola University and still runs the program. “He befriended a young Michael Phelps and Kevin Clements and wanted to train with them in hopes to make NCAA and the Olympic team.” While at Loyola, Barone joined the North Baltimore Aquatic Club to train under Coach Bob Bowman. Barone’s teammates included Phelps, then a teenage prodigy with Olympic aspirations. Barone said he was “humiliated on a daily basis, and fourteen-year-old girls were wiping me off the floor every day.” But he also had a “front-row seat for the development of Michael Phelps,” and the two became friends and roommates. “He was like a brother to me,” says Phelps, who famously went on to win twenty-eight Olympic medals, twenty-three of them gold. “When we were putting that much time into something, we got close. He was more than a friend and a training buddy. We were hanging out all the time.” TAKING THE PLUNGE While training with Phelps and others of his ilk was humbling for Barone, he blossomed under the grueling demands of Bowman, who is now the swim coach at Arizona State University and coached four U.S. Olympic teams. “I knew when he first came and met with me that he was really hungry and willing to do whatever he could to be the best swimmer he could be,’’ Bowman says. “He took on challenges head on and didn’t settle for less than the best he could give.” Barone’s development as a swimmer, however, continued unabated. There were times when he felt misplaced in the deep end of the worldwide swimming pool. In his first race against world-class swimmers in 2003, he was disqualified for making an illegal turn. “I felt like a lost puppy. I had some real cognitive dissonance going on. I struggled to believe I belonged in that crowd, despite showing the
METEORIC RISE Although he arrived to the college program unheralded, Barone quickly made a splash with the Greyhounds. He served as three-time stamfordmag.com
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MUSTGO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
this way.” Barone trusted the process, even if it seemed fragmented and flawed. The only things directing Barone were faith that things would work, family that supported him and his determination to squeeze out every last ounce of ability he had in him to see how far he could reach as a swimmer. When his competitive career ended, he started coaching, but it hardly seemed like his life calling, and like his path as a competitor, evolved oddly. When he was offered the job at CPC, he had no head coaching experience and was suddenly entrusted with a program with unimaginable resources. He had just one thought: Don’t screw it up..
COACHING A NEW GENERATION
EMERGING TALENT
Teaching teens to swim competitively starts with technique—but it’s also about dealing with sports and life
PHOTOGRAPHS: 1 BY TIM COFFEY; 2 CONTRIBUTED ; 3 BY MINUSH KRASNIQI
C
top: Barone at Chelsea Piers construction site middle: Coaching a swimmer through a training session bottom: Competitive swimmers
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oaching teenage athletes is a challenging assignment. There are emotional roller-coasters, but add in academics, relationships, employment, college recruiting and social events, and it’s easy to see how stress can become unmanageable for athletes and coaches. It’s like a game of dominoes in which one piece teeters just a bit too far, and the entire chain collapses. Jamie Barone strives to keep his swimmers in balance at Chelsea Piers Connecticut and has found a formula that works. In December, nine swimmers announced plans to continue their careers in college. He expects commitment and dedication, but he also realizes his athletes have myriad other responsibilities. “That was one of the things I really liked,’’ says swimmer Elizabeth Boeckman, who will attend Princeton University. “He let us be teenagers. Every practice is hard and difficult and challenging—he’s always giving technique advice—but he also makes sure we get the all-around high school experience.” Barone’s methodology is an anomaly. In a day and age when most coaches require swimmers to swim for the sake of swimming— “garbage yardage,” Boeckman terms it— Barone pulls back the reins. He understands swimming is just a part of the equation and that physical and emotional stress impact performance. “Awards are nice, but I think the validation is passed on by the fact that kids seem to want to be here,’’ Barone says. “When we see kids who are healthy and happy, that’s the validation. It’s not easy to maintain that level of success. But if we have healthy, happy athletes who leave the program better than when they started, that’s all the validation I need.”
LESSONS LEARNED Competing at various levels taught Barone valuable lessons about the sport. He saw Michael Phelps’ outrageous work ethic. He witnessed Bowman’s fanatical attention to detail. He saw Loeffler’s low-key approach, and how athletes frequently performed better under less physical and mental stress. Each experience was different, but also noteworthy. “I was young enough to keep my mouth closed, but my ears open,’’ he says. After the 2004 Olympic trials, Barone worked with Bowman in Michigan and helped Loeffler at Loyola as he tried to identify his career path. “Jamie had a great eye for stroke mechanics,’’ Loeffler says. “He can quickly breakdown someone’s stroke and make a suggestion to improve it.” He also spent time in New York, where he trained with the New York Athletic Club. To make financial ends meet, he sold designer evening wear for women. Friends encouraged him to make another try at the Olympic trials, and while he succeeded, he also discovered the value of low-intensity training. “I ended up swimming faster trials than in 2004,’’ Barone says. “I was swimming as fast or faster than in heavy training. There was no pressure. It was fun.” When Barone elected to end his competitive career after the trials, he gave swim lessons to children in Greenwich. “It eventually got
BY THE NUMBERS
3
The number of silver medal awards Chelsea Piers received from the USA Swimming Club Excellence Program— three straight years!
29
The swimming club’s national ranking.
1
The only top-fifty club in the state.
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so big,’’ he says, “that I didn’t have to sell dresses anymore.” He returned to Baltimore and became more interested in helping young swimmers. “I got this rush, this feeling that I was able to help swimmers. My worst day on the pool deck was better than my best day making cold calls.” COMING TO CP-CT A swimmer who worked with Barone in Connecticut called him in 2010, informing him of Chelsea Piers’ plan to launch in Connecticut. He passed Barone’s information along to David Tewksbury, the business founder. After several conservations, Tewksbury handed over the keys to the swim program at the yet-to-be-built facility. “I was handed a blank slate,’’ Barone says of the life-changing moment. “I had no real management experience, had never been a head coach. I had all these ideas of what I wanted to do. The main thing I wanted was to produce high-level results while still allowing for some semblance of normalcy outside of the pool.” All of Barone’s life experiences fell into place. Discovering, learning, selling, teaching and believing combined into one beautiful package for Barone at Chelsea Piers. When his swimming journey began more than three decades ago, no one could have foreseen that it would have ended up here, just a few miles from where he spent most of his youth, training the swimmers of tomorrow. There was no plan, no destination, no dream job— just perseverance and trust that his work eventually would be rewarded. Perhaps the most important lesson Barone learned during his unique journey is to treat his charges as individuals. There is no one-sizefits-all coaching style for swimmers. As his own path revealed, young athletes evolve at their own pace. Sometimes that process requires time to play out. “If the only thing in your toolbox is a hammer, then every kid is a nail,’’ Barone says. “Not every kid has the same background, the same fire. I tell them that swimming should be something that enhances your journey, not something that adds stress. I want them to swim and have fun doing it, and we’ll do S whatever is necessary to make it work.”
SOLISIMAGES - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
ability to compete with them,” says Barone. “He never shared it with me, but you could tell there was a lot of frustration,’’ Phelps says. “He was really trying to play catch up. That was difficult for him. It was pretty challenging, but he got through it.” Bowman continued to get the best out of this conflicted athlete. In 2004 he qualified for the Olympic trials in the 100-meter breaststroke and finished twelfth. After a two-year break, Barone resumed training and qualified for the trials again in 2008. While falling short of making the Olympics, Barone proved he belonged on the worldwide swim stage. “Jamie is one of the latest bloomers that I have coached,’’ Bowman says. “It’s a real tribute to him that he kept pushing his limits to reach the top levels of the sport.”
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EVENT SPONSORS (as of 8/1/19)
by beth c o oney fitzpatrick
| still lifes by kyle nort on
PASSING THE
HAT Bill and BJ Gedney made hats hot. Now their daughter Cooper McManus is keeping the HAT ATTACK brand modern, relevant and as cool as ever
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perfect blue. And the cotton was just super soft. It just had a great feel to it.” Bill showed up sporting his new Cayman Islands hat at the peak of an era when T-shirts had emerged as the ubiquitous way for marketers to get their messages worn by the masses. “But I looked at that hat,” BJ recalls, “and I kept thinking, That’s a cool way to say something too.” For thirty-eight years since, the Shippan couple has been making statements with hats. Their privately held Hat Attack brand—which began with
n 1981 a friend of Bill Gedney’s returned from an island getaway, gifting him a baseball-style cap emblazoned with the words Cayman Islands. It was an inexpensive, throwaway kind of hat, but Bill’s then-girlfriend (and future wife), BJ, spied his new accessory and did what she’s been doing ever since: She zeroed in on all the details that made it cool. For BJ, what made the hat so alluring were the subtle things that can transform accessories from functional to trendsetting. “It was blue; a faded, beachy denim kind of
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Hat Attack has cultivated a following and managed to stay fresh in the hyper-competitive marketplace by capitalizing on its founders’ instincts for spotting of-the-moment trends on the runway and street, then deftly translating them into accessories that effortlessly straddle the line between classic and trendy. From sassy fedoras to slouchy cashmere beanies, boho beach ponchos and darling straw tote bags, Hat Attack has evolved into a multiseason brand committed to keeping customers well-covered for the resort life.
“My biggest hope is that I keep the line strong where it is. We have an eye on trends to keep the fashion element going, but there’s always a classic point of view in everything we do, which I really love. I want to maintain that.” —cooper mcmanus, creative director
FAMILY TIES
Since Hat Attack’s beginnings, the enterprise has always been a close-knit family affair. After outgrowing a series of Manhattan apartments and workrooms BJ and Bill eventually moved Hat Attack into an 11,000-square-foot Bronx factory where their now-adult daughters, Cooper, Eli and Hayley, would come with their babysitters in tow and play by cutting fabrics and making patterns. Now the eldest of the Gedney girls, fellow Shippan resident Cooper McManus, has joined her parents as Hat Attack’s creative director and trendspotter-in-chief. After thirty-eight years of helming the brand BJ (on the creative side) and Bill (who handles production and finances) have been gradually scaling back, putting Cooper in charge of many of the day-to-day decisions involving the brand’s sartorial vision, marketing and Bronx operations. To say the thirty-five-year-old Cooper— who like her mom has three daughters and lives two blocks from her parents’ waterfront home—was raised on Hat Attack is not just a convenient metaphor. “My crib was literally in the building,” she says. To be more specific, her crib was located in a converted furrier’s vault adjacent to one of Hat Attack’s workrooms so BJ and her babysitter could mind her as they took turns trimming hats. As she grew up, Cooper and her sisters were regulars at the factory and often joined their mother in booths at industry trade shows. “I was always around hats or at least talking about them at home,” Cooper says. “Since my parents grew the business from scratch, this was the stuff we discussed at the table.” A Westhill High School graduate, Cooper studied retail management at Syracuse University (where she met her husband, Joe McManus) thinking the label might eventually be in her future. Her parents were quietly hoping they could eventually pass the business to the next generation too. Hayley worked in a creative marketing role for shoe maven Stuart Weitzman for more than a decade, and Eli works in consulting. “From early on, all the girls were contributing ideas to the business and still do whenever inspiration strikes them,” says BJ.
left: Creative Director Cooper McManus with the founders of Hat Attack (and her parents), Bill and BJ Gedney
PHOTO BY KYLE NORTON
BJ and Bill running the business of baseball hats embroidered with New York City–themed logos in their Manhattan studio apartment— has evolved from a side gig launched on a whim into international brand known for its modern interpretations of season-spanning fashion hats. Their hats and an array of beachchic accessories the label now makes can be found in-shop and online from Shopbob, Revolve, Garnet Hill, Anthropologie, upscale mom-and-pop boutiques and resort shops and the mega e-commerce site Zappos.
“What was interesting about Cooper was that even from an early age, she always had her own style,” says Bill. “She wasn’t necessarily wearing what all the other girls were wearing. Even when she was, she did her own thing with it, which was part of what made me think she had the vision Hat Attack needs.” As much as Hat Attack was in Cooper’s DNA, she wanted to forge out on her own before joining the label. After college she and Joe, an engineer, settled in his native Massachusetts while he pursued graduate studies and professional opportunities and she worked in corporate retail administration. “Of course, I learned things that are helping me today, but it was not nearly as creative as I wanted to be,” she says, adding that she’s not a fan of “sitting at a desk all day.” Yet her decision to join her parents in business wasn’t just about ditching the office grind. “It’s more than just being creative and doing tactile things, like making hats,” she explains. “It’s also about being creative in terms of thinking about how we do things and how we approach things. I find the business side as interesting as the creative side.” Indeed, Cooper says the boldest challenges she’s taken on is advocating for change. Hat Attack employs about thirty-five Bronxbased employees ranging from blockers and trimmers and production managers to sales professionals. The products are made in the United States and by artisans all over the world. Taking some of their manufacturing overseas was a change the Gedneys reluctantly made to stay competitive as brick-and-mortar retailers facing stiff e-commerce competition reduced their private-label commissions, long an important part of the Hat Attack business. “One of the things I do is bring a fresh perspective about the way we approach things,” says Cooper, adding that her parents have encouraged her to challenge the status quo. “I may ask, ‘What if we tried this this way?’ That can be kind of hard to hear if you’ve been doing things a certain way for years and years, but I think it’s important to try things new ways to stay competitive and have an edge.”
FORWARD THINKING
In early summer, Cooper and BJ, who continue to work closely together, had just wrapped preparations for Hat Attack’s Spring 2020 collection. “We really have to think that far
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social graces Sharing the love of influencers and @hatattackny
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hen local social media influencers take to the digital sphere to share their style, they top their polished looks with the perfect Hat Attack accessory. Here, @juliadags photography and Cooper McManus commentary on the fashion-forward posts.
@mrsnipple
@thegirlguide
@emilylucillesanders
(photo 1) “We love to see influencer Elizabeth Ariola wearing Hat Attack. She always wears mom-friendly looks and brings her Hat Attack accessories along with her on family adventures.
(photos 2 + 3) “We love gifting Stephanie Trotta because she has the best style. She invests in important pieces and we love seeing her wear them over and over!”
(photo 4) “As a local Stamford micro-influencer, Emily Lucille Sanders has been doing a great job posting content relevant to Stamford. It’s so fun seeing her photograph hats and bags around town.”
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HOT TAKES
Hat Attack accessories are winter ready now
Fur Earmuffs, $67
Box Windowpane Scarf, $78
Chelsea Hat, $120
Faux Fur Clutch, $87
Weekend Plaid Scarf, $78
Fisherman Cable Mitten, $60
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ahead,” says Cooper, who explained she and her mother look to everything from the Fashion Week runways to “who’s wearing what” when she’s out to dinner in downtown Stamford when deciding how to create for a new season. A lot of inspiration comes simply from noticing small details. “Last year, neon had a moment and we were adding that to hat trims,” BJ says. “Little straw bags ended up being important this season and we had some good ones in the collection,” adds Cooper. “It’s great when you call it right and we really try to do that.” Cooper suspects some of her instincts for trendspotting comes from having spent so much time watching her mother, who always seems to have a sixth sense for spotting the next big thing. “Even when we were young and we would travel, my mother would head to the stores to see what was out there on the shelves and notice what people were buying,” she says. “She would pay attention to what people were wearing and how they were wearing things. There was always a lot of people-watching.” BJ points out that while Cooper has her own terrific instincts for trendspotting, she has positioned the brand for the future by lending her millennial perspective to how Hat Attack markets its wares. Take social media: Cooper has tapped heavily into social-networking platforms to elevate Hat Attack’s profile by courting fashionforward influencers as well as upping the brand’s game on Instagram. “To thrive in this market and stay relevant, we really had to take a multimedia approach,” she explains. While Hat Attack has managed to avoid the marketing trap of compensating style influencers for name-dropping posts, Cooper keeps her eye out for someone populating the digital landscape who’s got lots of followers and style. “As much as I’m opposed to paying to get our things out there, I’m more than happy to send something to someone I think will wear a hat or carry a tote well.” While she’s focused on keeping Hat Attack fresh and relevant, Cooper stresses she’s not trying to reinvent what’s worked for decades. “Actually, my biggest hope is that I keep the line strong where it is. We have an eye on trends to keep the fashion element going, but there’s always a classic point of view in everything we do, which I really love. I want to maintain that.”
PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY BRAND
FROM THE COLLECTION
10 WAYS IT’S BETTER HERE Cooper has also assumed a leadership role at an interesting time in the business. While tariffs on Chinese imports and the changing retail landscape pose challenges, the business of selling resort wear has changed too. “It’s a twelve-month business now,” says BJ. “You have people traveling all year and we no longer think in terms of a single season, like summer.” And hats have a new generation of fans thanks to the advent of sun sense: “We laid out in oil,” laughs BJ, “but women Cooper’s age grew up sun smart. They wear sunscreen and hats for protection. So there’s a new generation that appreciates us.”
ABOUT TIME
Managing a four-season business means there’s always a lot to do. Cooper’s days often begin with early morning emails to Hat Attack’s overseas production manager, followed by social media time before heading off to the Bronx. She sometimes shares the commute with one or both of her parents, who remain an integral part of the business. Naturally, they alternate talk about business and family. “I love what’s happening right now,” says Bill, who says the transition has given him and BJ more time to enjoy Shippan life. “When we started, we did things completely by the seat of our pants, but now there’s a lot of thought going into how we move things forward. It’s exciting.” Cooper says an unexpected fringe benefit of relocating her young family from Greater Boston has been getting reacquainted with her hometown. The Gedneys raised their daughters in North Stamford before moving to their waterfront home about fifteen years ago, when Cooper was already at college. “I’m experiencing Stamford in a completely new way and I think I appreciate all it has to offer even more,” she says. “It’s great to live so close to my family, but I also love this neighborhood. It’s a real community, where neighbors really care and look out for each other, and we’ve all embraced it. We love raising the girls here.” As it was when she was a little girl, Cooper’s three daughters—Elle, Cameron and Brady— come to Hat Attack headquarters for regular visits. This begs the question: Is there a thirdgeneration Hat Attack team in training? “Oh, it’s too early to say, and I would never push it unless they seem to love it,” says Cooper. “But I will say they really do like their outfits.” S
STAMFORD STYLE
In honor of Stamford magazine’s tenth anniversary, the Hat Attack family agreed to pick ten local favorites.
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SHIPPAN “What’s amazing to us is how much a community it truly is,” says BJ. “It’s a place where neighbors truly care about neighbors.” Cooper chose to settle her young family in Shippan, not just to be near her parents but also “for the things I saw my parents value about living here.”
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CHELSEA PIERS CONNECTICUT “It’s amazing to have such an incredible fitness facility so close by,” says Bill, who works out there regularly. Cooper’s daughters take swimming lessons and her husband, Joe, plays ice hockey.
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STAMFORD MUSEUM AND NATURE CENTER “We love to take our granddaughters there to explore outdoors and they have great events for them too,” says BJ.
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RESTAURANT SCENE “There are so many really good and interesting places to eat and I just love the energy,” says Cooper. Tops on the family’s list? Sunny Daes for ice cream, Colony Grill for pies, Café Silvium, Capriccio, T’s Wine Bar, Columbus Park, Casa Villa and Walter’s Hot Dogs.
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DOWNTOWN “It’s a very different vibe from when I was young,” says Cooper, who enjoys the Alive at Five concert series and the efforts Stamford’s Downtown Special District has made to bring art downtown. “We like to take the girls to see the installations.”
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DOMUS KIDS The nonprofit, which helps kids overcome life challenges, is also near and dear to the Gedneys.
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MIANUS RIVER PARK “A great way to get out in nature.”
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ST. JOSEPH’S PARENT CENTER BJ is a committed volunteer at this nonprofit, which encourages healthy parenting through a variety of supportive mentoring and training programs. “The parents of these kids have the ability to parent in a healthy, supportive way,” says BJ.
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THE ROGERS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Cooper’s oldest daughter attends the public International Baccalaureate school, which approaches academics through a global perspective. “We feel so lucky it’s our neighborhood school,” says Cooper.
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HARBOR POINT “There’s a great farmers’ market and interesting events and great restaurants,” says BJ.
A peek into Stephanie Trotta’s own closet
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f
FA L L 2 0 1 9 T R E N D S
ashion orward
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a political science and international affairs degree from George Washington University). Trotta eventually nurtured her creative side working at Ralph Lauren before relaunching thegirlguide.com in 2016. Now she has joined us as guest fashion editor in order to recap fall 2019’s best trends. Here, her favorite picks of the season and a bit of advice on how to style them.
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE TROTTA
eet STEPHANIE TROTTA, a Darien mom, personal stylist and the brains behind The Girl Guide, a well-read blog giving advice and tips on style, shopping, travel and life in general. Known for her fab personal style (and lover of anything neutral), many are surprised to learn that this savvy creative was a self-proclaimed “nerd” in school (she graduated with
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TREND ONE
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1 DANNIJO Bow earrings; $320. dannijo.com
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2 CAROLINA HERRERA Black floral lace crop cardigan; $2,490. Mitchells, Westport; shop.mitchellstores.com
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3 MAX&MOI Camisole; $182. The Perfect Provenance, Greenwich; theperfectprovenance.com
4 THEORY Silk tie scarf top; $295. theory.com
5 NANUSHKA
Delicate and feminine details galore
BURBERRY
6 GIANVITO ROSSI Gold & black lurex lace pump; $945; Mitchells, Westport. shop.mitchellstores.com
7 LELE SADOUGHI
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“Spice up your off ice attire and trade in that traditional button-dow n for a silk bow blou s e.D ress it dow n tucked into black skinny jeans paired w ith a statement ear r ing.” —ST
Barrette; $125. shopmonarchmarket.com
8 ZIMMERMANN Lace poet-sleeve mini dress; $1,950. Saks Greenwich, saks.com
9 DIOR Cameo ring; $440. dior.com
10 ALICE + OLIVIA BY STACEY BENDET Leila fit-and-flare pleated coat in soft white; $795. Greenwich; aliceandolivia.com
11 J.CREW Black leather kitten heels; $178. jcrew.com »
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TROTTA PHOTO BY JULIA D’AGOSTINO, FASHION IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
LADY LIKE
Croc-embossed shoulder bag; $365. intermixonline.com
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“O ne of the big gest access or y tre nd s last year was the retur n of the s cr unchie.Here, the 80’s classic trend gets an upg rade.”—ST
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ZIMMERMANN
LIKE A LADY TORY BURCH
“These feminine looks are not just for the royals; embrace your inner duchess with lace, ruffles and bows.” —ST
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TREND TWO
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1 SECRET GARDEN Dark florals blossom on the fall runways and into your closets
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MARC JACOBS
5 “Not your average black sweater—wear it casually w ith a pair of cord s for day or at nig ht w ith s ome leather leg g ing s and a low bun.” —ST
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1 TEMPERLEY LONDON
“Pair thi s dress w ith a lace up bootie and leather jacket or tur n thi s dress into a skir t w ith a neutral cashmere sweater once the te mpe ratures drop.” —ST
Magnolia jacket; $1,795. temperleylondon.com
2 ROBERTO COIN 18k rose gold and black diamond necklace; $7,500. Lux Bond & Green, Westort; lbgreen.com
3 BRIXTON Floppy wool hat; $58. nordstrom.com
4 VINCE Brushed floral funnel neck; $425. Greenwich, Westport; vince.com
MOODY ROMANCE “These pretty prints are not just for hotter temps. When styling dark florals, I love mixing patterns and textures. Try chocolate brown instead of black for a gorgeous, rich combination.” —ST
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5 BYTIMO Shirt dress; $555. Intermix, Greenwich. intermixonline.com
6 ETRO
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VERONICA BEARD
English rose embroidered bag; $2,150. Neiman Marcus, The Westchester; neimanmarcus.com
7 HELMUT LANG Cable-knit wool sweater; $520. saks.com
8 SEE BY CHLOÈ
TROTTA PHOTO BY JULIA D’AGOSTINO, FASHION IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
Floral midi dress; $475. saks.com
9 MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION Belted coat, $3,250; Mitchells, Westport; shop.mitchellstores.com
10 STUART WEITZMAN Mona boot in black with gold stars; $895. Greenwich; stuartweitzman.com
11 RANJANA KHAN Hoop earrings; $175. netaporter.com »
SEE BY CHLOE
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TREND THREE
SHINE BRIGHT 1
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Sorbet-like colors in elegant hues and sleek silhouettes
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4 VALENTINO
5 COLOR PARTY “Whether you’re just looking for a pop or want to embrace your colorful side, this trend shows no sign of fading.” —ST
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TROTTA PHOTO BY JULIA D’AGOSTINO, FASHION IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
“I love that thes e elegant colors can easily be wor n together. If you’re mixing a yellow skir t w ith a mint sweater, opt for neutral access or ies in nude or beige.” —ST
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1 CHANEL Brooch; price upon request. chanel.com
2 HOBBS Tia coat; $400. Greenwich; hobbs.com
3 TEMPERLEY LONDON Akiko dress; $1,995. temperleylondon.com
8 “If I could buy one piece for fall it would be an investment coat like thi s one. It’s vers atile and makes a g reat statement at the s ame time.” —ST
4 DRIES VAN NOTEN Pleated midi skirt; $890. saks.com
5 JOIE Roshan sweater; $298. Greenwich, Westport; joie.com
6 CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Pumps; $895. christianlouboutin.com
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7 HERMÈS Cape Cod steel watch; $3,600. Hermès Greenwich, hermes.com
8 KATE SPADE NEW YORK Shearling coat; $2,298. katespade.com
9 MES DEMOISELLES Silk-satin maxi dress; $473. netaporter.com
10 PRADA Satin skirt; $1,560. saks.com
11 SENREVE Mini Maestra bag in coral; $695. shopbop.com »
LANVIN
11 JACQUEMUS
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TREND FOUR
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1 LELA ROSE Checked woven peplum blouse; $990. netaporter.com
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2 MM6 MAISON MARGIELA Glen-plaid pleated midi skirt; $420. matchesfashion.com
3 ANTHROPOLOGIE Etta knotted headband; $20. anthropologie.com
PATTERN PLAY A little something borrowed from the boys
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4 TALBOTS Tweed jacket in ivory; $179. Stamford, Westport; talbots.com
5 CHARLES BY CHARLES DAVID Venus bootie; $119. Lord & Taylor, Stamford; lordandtaylor.com
6 VERONICA BEARD Emmeline jumpsuit; $695. veronicabeard.com
7 SOMETHING NAVY Single-breasted plaid wool-blend coat; $159. nordstrom.com
CHANEL
8 BALENCIAGA Ruffled checked twill midi skirt; $1,450. netaporter.com
9 VEJA V-10 leather sneakers; $150. modaoperandi.com
10 ISABEL MARANT ÉTOILE Vittoria plaid high waist trousers; $495. saks.com
MIX IT UP
“Keeping it casual? Pair thi s blaz er w ith your favor ite white tee tucked into a pair of mom jeans and f lats.”—ST
“Mix patterns and plaids for a clean and sophisticated statement.” —ST
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11 ANN TAYLOR Fringe tweed jacket; $179. New Canaan; anntaylor.com S
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“I love the vers atilit y of thi s coat. Take it f rom work to weekend by swapping out your pumps for a statement sneaker.” —ST
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TROTTA PHOTO BY JULIA D’AGOSTINO, FASHION IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
BROCK
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Inspiring
Lives
L U N C H E O N
Joan Lunden, Guest Speaker Honorary Co-Chairs: Louise and Jerry Berkman Maureen and Mike Cacace Day and Gene Rubino
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
11:30am-2:00pm • Woodway Country Club, Darien CT 06820
Honoring The Cingari Family Tickets and Information: www.silversource.org
SilverSource MOFFLY AD_ INSPIRING LIVES Luncheon 08-01-19.indd 1
Exclusive Media Partner
(203) 324-6584
1pm-5pm General Admission 12 Noon VIP Admission
8/1/2019 4:35:34 PM
100+ Tastings - Craft Beer, Wine, Spirits, Vodka & Tequila! Live Music - Delicious Local Food - Games And so much more! Enjoy delicious food from a variety of local restaurants: Bareburger • Dinosaur Bar-B-Que • Fortina Mexicue • Patisserie Salzburg • Sign of the Whale
gs!
100+ Tastin
Commons Park Tickets & info: Harbor Point • Stamford, CT thelasttasteofsummer.org stamfordmag.com
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WE’RE PAINTING THE TOWN PINK! If you’re a woman over 40, getting an annual mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer early – long before a lump is felt in your breast. And, finding breast cancer earlier results in less aggressive treatment. Stamford Health’s Breast Center provides three-dimensional mammography, which means better detection and fewer callbacks. Our day, evening and weekend appointments, walk-in availability, and commitment to provide same-day results whenever possible means we’re here for you when you need us. We all know someone whose life has been touched by breast cancer, and that’s why initiatives in October like Stamford Health’s Paint The Town Pink are so important — not to mention the care that the Breast Center and Bennett Cancer Center offer right in our own backyard. To view the calendar of Paint the Town Pink events, visit support.stamfordhospitalfoundation.org/pttpcalendar.
To schedule a mammogram, call (203) 276.PINK (7465) or visit support.stamfordhospitalfoundation.org/mammogram
STAMFORD BREW & WHISKEY FESTIVAL Whiskey Tasting • Craft Beer • Live Music Fine Food Sampling & More! Friday, September 27, 2019, 6 - 9 pm Harbor Point, 2200 Atlantic Street Free parking available
New Neighborhoods’ Biggest Annual Fundraiser! For info & tickets to this 21+ event:
www.stamfordbrewandwhiskeyfestival.com
BOB CAPAZZO PHOTOGRAPHY (203) 273-0139 stamfordmag.com
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November 2, 2019 Greenwich Country Club Tickets on sale at ct.wish.org/wishnight Now boarding for Wish Night, featuring outstanding eats, unparalleled auction items and inspiring wish stories. Prepare to soar to new heights as you help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Ready to fly? Tickets, tables and sponsorships are available now, but act fast last year’s event sold out.
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& Gardens Annual Gala . . . . . . . . 89 Greenwich Land Trust's 20th Anniversary Go Wild! . . . . . . . . . . 47 County's 26th Annual Golf Outing . . 43 Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield
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Stamford Public Schools . . . . . . . . . 77
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ENTERTAINMENT
New York City Wine & Food Festival . . 39
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95.9, The Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
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Stamford Brew & Whiskey Festival . . 108 Stamford Health's 8th Annual Health
EVENTS 18th Annual Pacific House Gala . . . . . 64 A-list Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 American Cancer Society Comedy
Wellness & Lifestyle Expo 2019 . . . 58 Stamford Hospital's Paint the Town Pink . . . . . . . . . . 107 Walk to End Alzheimer's . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Against Cancer: An Evening of Comedy Honoring Thomas Rich . . . . . . . . 37 americares Airlift Benefit 2019 . . . . . 58
REAL ESTATE Barbara Hickey, Sotheby's/ William Pitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Compass/Staci Zampa . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Harbor Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 4
REAL ESTATE/DESTINATION Business Development Board Palm Beach County . . . . . . . . . . . 9
FASHION
TRANSPORTATION
Roundabout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Rudy's Executive Transportation . . . . 33
FOOD, CATERING & LODGING
MISCELLANEOUS
F.I.S.H Restaurant & Bar . . . . . . . . . 62
Westy Self Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Breast Cancer Alliance's Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show . . . . . 50 Craft Beer Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
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last word by beth levine
APPLE OF MY EYE I
am idly watching He’s Just Not That into You, a 2009 romcom, for the millionth time on HBO. And in the ten years since it came out, I’ve realized it has much to say about who we have become, but not in a way you would guess. In this movie, the characters spend most of their screen time madly checking their various phones, computers and answering machines (remember those?) to see if the objects of their obsessions have contacted them. I am also madly refreshing my email and tapping into my phone to see if the object of my obsession has contacted me with the same level of heartbreak and desire. How sweet, you think. After twenty-eight years of connubial bliss, she still gets a thrill from hearing from her darling husband. Well, yes, I do. And in fact, as of this moment, he is a bit late getting home. But the truth is as I check the phone one more time, it is not Bill of the great chocolate-colored eyes that has me all jazzed up at this particular moment. In fact, it is another man: David from the Apple store at the Stamford Town Center. Flash back three days, when I had to turn in my laptop for a fix that would take “three to five business days” because they had to order a part. Whaaaaaaat? Could I really go without my computer, my external brain,
find it impossible to use someone else’s. Nothing works the same or makes sense. It’s like staying at someone else’s house and they have to show you exactly how to jiggle the toilet handle after flushing or how to stop the shower from scalding you. Plus, I feel just as bereft without it as if I had been jilted at the altar. And that’s what I think has changed over ten years.
for that amount of time? No emails, no writing, no Twitter, no Facebook? No recaps of Real Housewives of New York City? Granted, I could do that on my phone, or borrow Bill’s laptop, but it’s not the same. As techno-cold as a computer is, it is also completely personal. I’ve configured it to respond to my needs, no one else’s. I can’t bear having anyone use mine, and
above: Imagine ten years ago, when we were not tech obsessed.
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We are so dependent on our technology, they have become integral partners in our lives. And like the lovers who take their significant others for granted until the SOs pack up and leave, we don’t realize just how dependent we are until David from Apple takes your baby for, did I mention, three to five days. What did I do with my time before? I once inhaled two books a week. Now if I struggle through one now and then before falling asleep, I am thrilled with myself. And my son has instructed me that actually calling someone on their cell instead of texting (except in case of emergencies) is considered rude. Oh, David from Apple. Please just call me, text me. Anything! I can’t bear much more of this. What is this strange old world I have been thrust back into? My husband and I actually had a conversation last night. Who knows what other insanity will ensue? Wait, what is this? A text from Apple? I can come pick it up? My face flushes and my heart beats with girlish abandon. Heavens, what will I wear? Should I wait a bit to respond? “What’s going on?” asks Bill. “Nothing,” I reply with a cheater’s guilty heart. Inside, I am thinking, “I am coming, my darling Macbook. I am just that into you.” S
PHOTOGRAPH ©RIDO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
HOW IN TEN SHORT YEARS WE’VE BECOME COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON OUR DEVICES
FINDING A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR IS EASIER THAN EVER. Stamford Health Medical Group believes primary care is important for keeping you and your loved ones healthy. With more than 130 primary care physicians and specialists across Fairfield County, we make it easy for you to find a doctor close to home. We offer flexible hours that fit your schedule, and we accept most health insurance plans. To make an appointment, visit StamfordHealth.org/PrimaryCare or call 888.898.4876.
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