Stamford - November/December 2021 by Moffly Media

the food issue

Local restaurants and caterers on great cocktail hours and at-home bar carts

STAMFORD The VILLAGE

Time to Feel Inspired Celebrate this year’s Light a Fire philanthropy honorees

Stamford’s new destination for fun times, good food and big ideas

Water View

SoundWaters’s mission to protect Long Island Sound —and a peek at the new campus

Holiday Shopping

PLUS

Stylish finds that make amazing gifts

Our review of The Wheel Restaurant

NOV/DEC 2021 | $5.95

STAMFORDMAG.COM

ma k e a di ffe r e nc e A LOCAL EFFORT TO HELP HAITI

t h e n ew wor k pl ac e AN EXECUTIVE COACH ON BEING SUCCESSFUL NOW

Quality • Value • Selection Quality • Value • Selection

GLASTONBURY GLASTONBURY MOHEGAN MOHEGAN SUN SUN WEST WEST HARTFORD HARTFORD WELLESLEY WELLESLEY GLASTONBURY MOHEGAN SUN WEST HARTFORD WELLESLEY LBGreen.com 800.524.7336 @LuxBondGreen

LBGreen.com LBGreen.com

800.524.7336 @LuxBondGreen 800.524.7336 @LuxBondGreen

In-store In-store •• by by appointment appointment •• curbside curbside •• online online In-store • by appointment • curbside • online

Every Every Box Box Every Box

Has Has A A Story Story Has A Story

contents NOV/DEC 2021 vol. 12 | no. 6

features

departments

10 EDITOR’S LETTER

by diane talbot sembrot

13 STATUS REPORT

CREATORS AND CONNECTORS

BUZZ A professional stager’s tips for easy holiday decorating; Bill Berman on flourishing in today’s workplace; books to enjoy by the fire; locals pick Stamford favorites; Hope for Haiti; plant-based eating

Stamford has a new landmark: The Village, a transformational waterfront development. Here’s the scoop. by c h ri s hode n f ie l d

SHOP Our fun and stylish Holiday Gift Guide

IN GOOD SPIRITS During the holidays, make time for gathering with friends and family at local places that set the stage.

DO Fitness for a Happy Thanksgiving

by joey m acari

When there’s a need close to home, a hero steps up to help. Here’s our list of Light a Fire changemakers of philanthropy and volunteerism.

GO Luxury travel escapes

by ji l l joh ns on m an n

CHANGING TIDES A look at the new SoundWaters complex and its mission to protect Long Island Sound. by joey m acari

38 MONEY MATTERS

How to gift money 87 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

88 POSTSCRIPT by d onna mof f ly

top: Light a Fire honoree Wilner Joseph below: Raspberry Trifle with Pistacio Nougatine by Marcia Selden Catering & Events

on the cover: the vill age

•

photo gr aphy: kyle norton

STAMFORD MAGAZINE NOV/DEC 2021, VOL. 12, NO. 6 // 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. stamfordmag.com

WILNER JOSEPH BY MELANI LUST; MARCIA SELDEN, CONTRIBUTED; WREATH © ALISON JONES/DANITA DELIMONT - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

CAUSE AN EFFECT

singular in design “Edgy incarnations of luxury” Condé Nast Traveler

winvianfarm.com

digital content & MORE

nov/dec 2021

STAMFORDMAG.com CELEBRATING THE SCENE STEALERS

LET’S BE FRIENDS! Show us your love and us on social!

ENJOY OUR ARTICLES AND POSTS ON INSIGHTFUL LOCALS WHO HELP US ALL LIVE BETTER

Visit our directories for resources

@STAMFORDMAG Check out store openings, see what’s coming up in the magazine, and enjoy photos of iconic places around town— follow us on Instagram, Like us on Facebook. Together, we make living here the best!

PLUS! LIGHT A FIRE

stamfordmag.com

Join us DECEMBER 2 for the most inspiring event of the year as we thank those who volunteer and give back! Get details and tickets at ilovefc.com/lightafire

TIGIN DRINK, CONTRIBUTED; LOCAL TO MARKET AND BEACH BY DIANE SEMBROT

JUMP ONLINE

GREAT FOOD GREAT SERVICE M

M LY

IA ED

vol. 12 | no. 6 | nov/dec 2021 editorial editorial director Cristin Marandino–cristin.marandino@moffly.com editor, stamford; fairfield living; westport Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com style director

Megan Gagnon contributing editors

Megan Gagnon–editor, athome Elizabeth Hole–editor, custom publishing Julee Kaplan–editor, new canaan • darien Veronica Schoor—assistant editor, athome Amy Vischio–creative director-at-large, athome

MAGAZINE

books correspondent

Emily Liebert copy editors Terry Christofferson, Lynne Piersall, David Podgurski, Scott Thomas contributing writers Liz Barron, Carol Leonetti Dannhauser, Kim-Marie Evans, Nicole Glor, Chris Hodenfield, Mary Kate Hogan, Joey Macari, Jill Johnson Mann, Naomi Swanson, Scott Thomas editorial advisory board Harry Day, PJ Kennedy, Jamie Krug, Michael Marchetti, Arthur Selkowitz, Jami Sherwood, Lou Ursone

art senior art director Venera Alexandrova–venera.alexandrova@moffly.com senior art director Garvin Burke–garvin.burke@moffly.com production director Tim Carr–tim.carr@moffly.com design assistant

Lisa Marie Servido–Lisa.Servidio@moffly.com senior photographer Bob Capazzo

digital media

Serving North Stamford and the surrounding communities since 2007.

970 High Ridge Road • Stamford 1/2 mile south of the Merritt Parkway

203.322.9888 For our hours and menu please visit:

mackenziesstamford.com Like us @ Facebook.com/mackenziesstamford stamfordmag.com

director of content strategy Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com digital marketing manager Rachel MacDonald–rachel.macdonald@moffly.com digital assistant Lloyd Gabi–loyd.gabi@moffly.com Calendar@Moffly.com Editor@StamfordMag.com Weddings@StamfordMag.com

TO SUBSCRIBE, renew, or change your address, please email us at subscribe@stamfordmag.com call 1-877-467-1735, or write to STAMFORD magazine, 111 Corporate Drive, Big Sandy, TX 75755. U.S. subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $32.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign, U.S. $69/year. Prices are subject to change without notice. FOR QUALITY CUSTOM REPRINTS/E-PRINTS,

please call 203-571-1645 or email reprints@moffly.com. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher. ©2021 STAMFORD magazine is a registered trademark owned by Moffly Media. The opinions expressed by writers commissioned for articles published by STAMFORD are not necessarily those of the magazine.

From simple to intricate designs, California Closets systems are custom designed speciﬁcally for you and the way you live.

C O N N E C T I C U T 565 Westport Ave, Norwalk 203.924.8444 W E S T C H E S T E R 16 Saw Mill River Rd, Hawthorne 914.592.1001 californiaclosets.com

@caliclosetsct

vol. 12 | no. 6 | nov/dec 2021 publisher

Karen Kelly-Micka karen.kelly@moffly.com

sales & marketing Andrew Amill publisher, greenwich andrew.amill@moffly.com

Since 1909, Cummings & Lockwood has provided sophisticated legal representation to individuals, families, family offices, closely held businesses, other commercial enterprises and charitable entities. Our core services include: Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

International Estate and Tax Planning

Wealth Protection Planning

Business Succession Planning

Philanthropic Giving

Corporate and Finance

Probate and Estate Administration

Litigation and Arbitration

Fiduciary and Trustee Services

Commercial and Residential Real Estate

Gina Fusco publisher, new canaan•darien•rowayton gina.fusco@moffly.com Gabriella Mays publisher, westport•weston•wilton gabriella.mays@moffly.com Jonathan Moffly publisher, athome, fairfield living publisher-at-large, greenwich jonathan.moffly@moffly.com Hilary Hotchkiss account executive hilary.hotchkiss@moffly.com Rick Johnson account executive rick.johnson@moffly.com

www.cl-law.com

Kathleen Godbold partnership and big picture manager kathleen.godbold@moffly.com Rachel Shorten events director rachel.shorten@moffly.com Lemuel Bandala sales assistant lemuel.bandala@moffly.com Eillenn Bandala business assistant eillenn.bandala@moffly.com

business president

Jonathan W. Moffly chief revenue officer

Andrew Amill editorial director

Cristin Marandino director of content strategy

Diane Sembrot business manager

Elena Moffly elena@moffly.com cofounders

John W. Moffly IV & Donna C. Moffly PUBLISHERS OF GREENWICH, FAIRFIELD LIVING, NEW CANAAN • DARIEN • ROWAYTON, WESTPORT, STAMFORD and athome magazines 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880 phone: 203-222-0600 mail@moffly.com

BOB CAPAZZO PHOTOGRAPHY (203) 273-0139

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Lemuel Bandala 203-571-1610 or email advertise@moffly.com SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: email subscribe@stamfordmag.com or call 877-467-1735

stamfordmag.com

TACOS | CRUNCHWRAPS | COCKTAILS | BRUNCH

N E W FA L L M E N U I S H E R E & W E ’ R E R E A DY F O R YO U STA M F O R D. K I TC H E N O P E N L AT E .

TACO DADDY STAMFORD 121 TOWNE ST, STAMFORD CT, 06902 | @TACODADDYANDTHELILAROSE

editor’s letter

NOV/DEC 2021 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT

SCAN TO VISIT US

HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP

am going to have to work on simplifying my explanation of what The Village is. The obvious and shortest answer is that it’s a massive development in Stamford. OK, but what kind of development? It’s part event space, part restaurant, part cooking demonstration, part bar, part live music venue, part art space, part organic garden, part education program, part philanthropic initiative—well, lots of parts. As I took my first tour to see the many facets of the place, walking from one room to another and one floor to another, each was like putting a gem in my pocket—each was terrific for Stamford and made for a heavy sack to carry back to the office and try to explain to you. Naturally, I assigned it out to a talented and highly experienced writer with a background in film and music to make things at The Village as clear as possible. That piece, written by Chris Hodenfield, is in this issue. It was no easy task, because The Village is named so for a reason—it’s a gathering space, and if you have a creative spirit and a taste for good times, you’ll be perfectly at home here. It’s not a place to go as much as a place to find yourself, whether you’re interested in learning about sustainability or local philanthropy or indulging big ideas for your ambitions in music, film, business and more. A great place to start is the restaurant on-site. Called The Wheel, it is a gorgeous and enormous space with a cool industrial design with high ceilings and lots of natural light. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you can breathe and be yourself—and make

stamfordmag.com

new friends easily. Plus, you simply can’t go wrong with anything you choose from the menu, including the astonishingly creative and beautiful cocktails. In fact, in this issue we also include food reviewer Mary Kate Hogan’s thoughts on her experience there. Plus, we round out the feature with a one-on-one with Cisco Brewers Entertainment Manager Jeff Tuohy, a talented musician who always finds the right music for the mood. If you’ve seen any of the photos of The Village, you know that it fast became a popular destination in our city. People were curious about what it was all about, if it was open to the pubic, what it offered—but after heading over for dinner or attending an event, you know you’re not only welcome, but also that you’ll be back soon. The Village is hoping to attract more people from NYC, too. If you haven’t been, make sure to go to the top floor, where you can walk outside to see the organic herb-and-vegetable garden (in season), get something to drink at the bar and take in an amazing 360-degree view of our city. As we head into November and December, we’ll be getting together with friends and family. The Village is one place to check out, but we certainly have others too. Writer Joey Macari serves up a few excellent options for enjoying the holiday season your way, from a soiree at home with your nearest and dearest to a hearty gathering at a popular restaurant with an all-are-welcome vibe. Cheers!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILLIAM TAUFIC

HERE’S TO YOU

TAPAS | COCKTAILS | PASTAS | BRUNCH

YOU GUYS KNOW BEST. DUH. SO THIS FALL, WE’VE GOT A TON OF VEGAN & VEGETARIAN DISHES.

The Lila Rose

121 TOWNE ST, STAMFORD CT, 06902 | @TACODADDYANDTHELILAROSE

P R I V AT E E V E N T S AT With a mix of multi-functional spaces,The Village is the perfect environment to host large-scale corporate off-sites, charity galas, brand launches, weddings, and celebrations, as well as intimate dinners, meetings, and activations. The Village team can provide full event production services from conception to execution.

Photos by Neil Landino

4 Star Point I Stamford I TheVillageStamford.com I @TheVillageStamford

buzz STATUS REPORT

set the stage DECORATING FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH A FEW INSIGHTS FROM A PROFESSIONAL HOME STAGER by joey macari

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS; WREATH © SONYACHNY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM ©SONYACHNY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

rospective homebuyers have to create a mental picture of what life would be like in each room. Should the chaise lounge or the comfy sofa go underneath the Beaudry mirror? Would a bassinet fit in the bedroom? Where should the dog bowl go? This imagination exercise is usually done when a property is vacated, but not always. liz pensiero of Liz Pensiero Staging and Designs (lizpensierostagingdesigns.com) regularly transforms homes using a homeowners’ current belongings and picking missing pieces from staging inventory. Working with local agents, Liz says staging benefits clients and the real estate market. “Most of us live in our homes very differently than we sell them,” she says. “Staging is a marketing tool used to create an emotional connection, ultimately leading to a successful sale. Using design to position and market the home in a manner that highlights the best parts of the property while deterring from the negatives we cannot change. We can’t change a home’s location or proximity to major traffic, but we can help buyers fall in love with the house as soon as they walk in the front door.” Even homeowners who are staying put can pick up staging insights to fall in love with their homes every day, and especially so around the holidays. “There is no better place to spend the holidays, or evoke memories of holidays past, than in the kitchen surrounded by family, good friends and food,” says Liz. “I love when kitchens reflect the personality and story of the homeowner. There are so many design options available to create curated and one-of-a-kind spaces.”

above: Simple design changes can bring in the holiday season

above: Home stager Liz Pensiero

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

zu b

Simple design switches can create a holiday home

2 // Neutrals “Decorating with neutrals imparts clean lines and a boldness

as a life l ong

4 // Jewel Tones

see n t he cit y

“Swap out traditional holiday reds and greens for rich jewel tones. Deep amethyst, sapphire blues, rich ruby and elegant emeralds add a touch of glam. Throw pillows in jewel tones, velvet ribbons tied around evergreens or jewel-tone blankets draped across sofas or beds keep the holiday feel all year long. Also, try mixing jewel tones with gold and silver as accents on tables, shelving and doors to keep the look cohesive.”

an d cult ure

5 // Natural Elements

1 // Less Is More “ The holidays can often be a busy time of year, beginning with pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween costumes and winding down with champagne flutes and confetti. Keep décor simple to avoid having to change things up every few weeks. Invest in centerpieces and door wreaths that can stay up through the season. A simple magnolia leaf wreath on the front door can be accented with seasonal ribbon. Candles can be swapped out for holiday colors. Greenery throughout the home adds holiday flair to any space. Evergreen topiaries on fireplace mantles, magnolia swags as table runners and boxwood orbs strategically layered in glass urns can be mixed with seasonal tones for a high-end and subtle holiday feel.”

makes for an easy transition. Gold tapers, silver trays and mercury glass vases mixed throughout the home at the holidays will fill any space with seasonal cheer.”

“Complement the indoors by decorating with natural elements from outside. Gorgeous seasonal shades of local flowers add a pop of freshness to any room. Keep things simple. Try flowers in a variety of shades of the same hue as an elegant arrangement for the dining table or as a simple nosegay next to a bed or succulents on a fireplace mantle. Swap out fall arrangements for winter amaryllis or traditional poinsettias. Combined with evergreens, holly berries or magnolia leaves, it makes for beautiful winter season décor.”

3 // Metals “When it comes to mixing metals, there are no rules. Gold accents such as candlesticks or picture frames are a wonderful way to add warmth to any room. Silver, polished nickel or mercury glass will always add a touch of glam to otherwise bland areas of the home, such as bathrooms or foyers. Elevate these pieces by mixing and matching at the holidays. Table centerpieces adorned with shades of gold and silver at the holidays

reside n t of stamford, i have

t r an sform in t o a vibr an t family-frien dly h ub of busin e s s an d recre at ion for reside n t s of all age s . our real estat e market is no except ion . our housing market dr aws buye rs of all walks of life. Whet her t hey are t r an spl an t s rel o cat ing here for work, young families dr awn t o suburban life or life l ong reside n t s l o oking t o d own size, stamford real estat e has s omet hing for

everyone.

—liz pensiero

stamfordmag.com

WREATH © ALISON JONES/DANITA DELIMONT - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; MERCURY TREE © KCULP - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; WINTER BERRIES ©MELICA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

throughout the year that can be easily manipulated to create a holiday vibe. Try mixing the classics, such as black and white, with shades of green for a bold combination throughout the season. Natural elements in neutral colors create a timeless feel at the holidays. Experiment with layering multiple shades of whites. Embellish door hangings with burlap or raffia ribbons. Chunky wooden bowls or boards warm up kitchen surfaces that can be filled with seasonal fruits or flowers.”

THE BEST ORTHOPEDICS BY FAR IS RIGHT HERE. Hospital for Special Surgery and Stamford Health have teamed up to bring world-class orthopedic care closer to you. Our team of experts remains dedicated to making safe, responsible musculoskeletal care available – wherever you are. To learn more about our in-person and virtual appointment options, visit HSS.edu/StamfordHealth

HSS Stamford, 1 Blachley Rd, Stamford, CT 06902 Most major insurance plans accepted. New patients welcome.

zu b

GET TO WORK BILL BERMAN ON FINDING SUCCESS TODAY BY UNDERSTANDING AND USING YOUR INFLUENCE by diane sembrot

etting things done. That’s the nature of work, but how they get done is always changing. We’ve followed a broad arch moving from big businesses and strict hierarchies to independent consultants and side hustles; and, most recently, we’ve moved from the 9-to-5 grind and commuting along I-95 or the Merritt Parkway to morning Zoom meetings and work catch-ups over lunch at an outdoor table (weather permitting). Even the smallest of businesses work with a staff or roster of talent from not just around town, but also across state lines, other time zones, and even the other side of the world. How we meet, how we share information, how we collaborate on projects and so much more of “getting things done” is turning over and under and side to side. What does all of this mean for you, the well-intentioned worker?

FOLLOW THE LEADER Berman is an executive coach with experience as a licensed psychologist and an academic (teaching and conducting research at Cornell University Medical College and Fordham University, where he received tenure in 1994). He also worked at a software start-up to manage healthcare outcomes, as a senior line manager, and an organizational consultant. He also founded Berman Leadership Development in 2005 and since then has been a trusted advisor to general managers and C-suite executives across multiple industries. Additionally, he has written and spoken on a range of topics in psychology, coaching and behavioral change and has helped leaders and their teams through assessment, development planning, coaching and consulting to executives. He has worked with

stamfordmag.com

a range of industries and sectors, including financial services, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products, manufacturing and publishing/information services. Berman Leadership is part of the Forbes Coaches Council, an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches who are vetted and selected by a review committee based after proving a record of successfully impacting business growth metrics. We took advantage of the opportunity to ask him questions we thought you would want answered. If we missed anything, see his website at bermanleadership.com. »

above: The new book addresses work success today.

above: Bill Berman, co-author, with George Bradt, of Influence and Impact

Longtime Stamford resident and leadership and executive coach Bill Berman has been thinking about that question, and his conclusions includes advice that sounds simple yet reveals complexity as you think about how to implement them. His insight: Figure out what your organization needs from you. The deep dive to this bottom line is found in his new book, Influence and Impact: Discover and Excel at What Your Organization Needs from You the Most, co-authored with George Bradt. Addressing executives, managers, leaders and anyone who is ready to understand what their colleagues and superiors expect of them, the book helps to refocus efforts by building influence through careful evaluation of one’s values, strengths and capabilities in a role; developing new skills; and finding the position to have the most impact.

City Living City Loving Boutique Independent, Assisted & Memory Care Living in downtown Stamford

Ask about our Fall Incentives and lock in your exclusive rate. 203-769-9660 residencesummerstreet.com

An LCB Senior Living Community. Over 25 years of excellence in New England

zu b QUESTIONS and ANSWERS with...

BILL BERMAN

The leadership pro on finding your strength at work Tell me about the title, Influence and Impact. Why are those the key words for your book? “When we were looking for the title for the book, George, my co-author, and I spent several afternoons brainstorming different titles that reflected the content of the book. We hit on the subtitle fairly quickly. But when we ran the main titles by our publisher, Richard, he wasn’t thrilled with any. Finally, he looked at me and asked, ‘What is your book really about?’ I burst out, ‘Influence and impact. It’s about how to get people to work with you because they want to.’ He stopped and said, ‘That’s it. That’s the title.’ ”

not respond to your emails or focus on something else. I have seen organizations successfully ignore their CEO! In the modern business world, you have to persuade people to choose to help you to get work done. Colleagues feel committed to helping solve your problems when they believe you care about them and their problems. You do that by building influence. And the foundation of influence is being the ‘can-do person’ who ‘gets the job done’ and ‘understands us.’ Only then does your executive presence, innovation, enthusiasm and insight add to your influence.”

best way to approach any job is to assume that any change in the organization may lead to changes in job expectations and cultural expectations. In either case, you need to develop and use a growth mind-set. This helps you be open to new information and adapt to changing circumstances. Without a learning framework, you may misunderstand what is expected from your job and your culture.” You say workers need to focus on mission-critical parts of their role, but do people know what those parts are? “Most workers are doing fairly well—what’s often called ‘meets expectations’—but in my fifteen years as a coach and consultant to executives, I have found that many people I work with have missed one or two things. First, they have not understood what their manager, their colleagues and the organization needs the most. People have a tendency to do what they know, what they like or what they wish their job was rather than what

Do new hires need special advice from those who have been at the same company or in the same industry for a long time? “Organizations are constantly changing. You get promoted, managers leave, team structures change, where you work from changes. New hires definitely have a bigger task in learning about the culture, but people also give them time to learn and get adjusted. The

stamfordmag.com

What drives you to help people get ahead in their work? “I have always been about helping people to reach the pinnacle of their capabilities. In high school I wanted to be an educator, which is about helping people grow. This was true when I was treating people with mental illness as a clinical psychologist, and when I was teaching at Cornell Medical College and Fordham University. And it has been true for the past fifteen years as a coach. I think I picked up this passion from my mother, who was a teacher, and then worked on HeadStart and other children’s development programs.” What is one of the biggest lessons about success that you’ve learned? “All of us are most likely to succeed by standing on the shoulders of our employees, our colleagues, and our mentors. We have to listen to our own hearts and minds and also to the voices of others whom we serve.”

PHOTOS: © OFFICE © GORODENKOFF PRODUCTIONS OU

How is work unique today, and does it require different thinking to have influence and impact? “Organizations large and small are complex. People live in different locations, even different countries. Businesses are highly matrixed, with multiple reporting lines and global centers of excellence, regional business units and remote corporate headquarters. Add to that the fact that people no longer need to come into an office. This means that command-and-control is an outmoded way of getting work done. If people do not want to work with you, they can easily avoid you,

the organization and manager need. Second, they have not adapted to the norms and expectations of the organizational culture. Some people feel that they should just ‘be myself,’ which they should, but they use ‘authenticity’ as an excuse for not learning about a new culture. What Influence and Impact does is help them get past all that and do what is required. I had a client many years ago who was doing a perfectly fine job in her current role. However, her boss wanted her to focus less on day-today delivery and more on long-term technology strategy. Once she realized that her job was really to plan for the future, we were able to shift her responsibilities to her team leaders. This gave her space to focus on what the organization will need in five years. She was promoted twice in three years after that.”

CURTAIN CALL’S 2021– 2022 Season We’re back for our 31st!!!!

Area Premiere!!!

Plus comedy nights, concerts, murder mysteries and more! Subscribers have exchange privileges & restaurant discounts.

203-461-6358 www.curtaincallinc.com Produced in cooperation with The City of Stamford The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT

zu b

THE GIFT OF READING

BOOKS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST, INCLUDING YOURSELF by emily liebert

’Tis the season to curl up by the fireplace with a stack of good books—they also make great gifts for family and friends of all ages and interests. So check out our holiday roundup of eleven standout titles. There’s a little something for everyone on your list…whether they’ve been naughty or nice.

ROMANTIC So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park When investment banker Jessie Kim is laid off because “she’s already being overpaid anyway for a woman” and “Asians are worker bees, not someone who can drum up new deals,” what ensues is a young Korean-American woman’s journey to find a new career in cooking, while unexpectedly falling for her childhood rival. Foodies will rejoice!

THRILL SEEKER My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle Exactly what is Jade’s husband, Cam, not telling her? Everyone is about to find out in this gripping tale of domestic suspense about a “happily married” couple whose world is turned upside down by a masked home invader who knows their darkest secrets. Hold on tight…this one is a twisty rollercoaster ride.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Katy Birchall Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, does not want a wife. Too bad his mother is determined to find him one. Fortunately, she also lives across an ocean, so he just invents a fake fiancée to satisfy her meddling ways—until he finds out she’s on her way to visit him in England. But, just as his lie is about to be exposed, he meets a woman who’s willing to play the part…though, can they really trust each other?

HISTORY BUFF Designing Camelot by James Archer Abbott and Elaine Rice Bachmann Sixty years later, the Kennedy White House is still known for its style, mostly due to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s

stamfordmag.com

impeccable taste. This book, originally published in 1998, has been expanded to include firstperson reflections, personal and public correspondence, media accounts, anecdotes, photographs, a detailed room-by-room analyses of the restoration, and insights

zu b

into Kennedy’s personal choices. Released on her birthday, by the White House Historical Association (which she founded), it features a foreword by her daughter, Caroline Kennedy.

FILM & TV ENTHUSIAST How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy by Lynette Rice Over fifteen years after its premiere on ABC, the editor-atlarge at Entertainment Weekly brings fans the first inside story of one of TV’s most watched and cherished dramas. Rice takes readers on an unauthorized journey from the show’s modest beginning, revealing exclusive behind-the-scenes details about all of the tear-jerking departures and controversial plotlines. But What I Really Want To Do Is Direct by Ken Kwapis Who doesn’t love a memoir from an award-winning film and TV director (The Office and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, to name two)? Kwapis, a 30-year

Hollywood veteran, divulges what it takes to succeed in the frenzied world of entertainment, as he talks about his struggles, common industry myths, budget battles, volatile actors, and the passion that perseveres.

by forty-nine acclaimed authors (including me!), for the price of one? Nothing, as Owens— celebrated podcaster of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books— well knows. The mother of four (ages six to fourteen) has amassed this extraordinary anthology to help others feel understood, inspired and less alone. The supershort essays, all by previous guests on her podcast, were inspired by things moms don’t have time to do: sleep, get sick, write, lose weight and see friends. You won’t know whether to laugh or cry!

FOODIE The Best of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. and Zoë François On the heels of a year-plus-long pandemic, more than ever, people are excited to bake their own bread in the simplest way possible. That’s why Hertzberg and François have selected their favorite eighty recipes from their past five books (nearly one million copies in print!). This single, comprehensive volume includes whole grain loaves, pizza and flatbread, brioche and challah, sourdough, gluten-free recipes, and so much more. It also boasts new tips and techniques that will make everyone look like a pro in the kitchen.

YOUNG ADULT If This Gets Out by Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich When eighteen-year-olds Ruben and Zach, members of America’s biggest boy band, fall for each other romantically while on their first sold-out European tour, they’re forced to keep their relationship hidden in order to maintain their all-important image of teen heartthrobs. But, behind closed doors, their once-easy relationship is cracking under the stress of fame and the pressure to stay in the closet. The question is: How can they remain together when the whole world seems to want them apart? KID The Last Super Chef by Chris Negron For middle graders, even those reluctant to read, Negron’s books are complete with complex and thoughtful boy protagonists who are not averse to exploring their emotions. Curtis Pith has always wanted to become a chef like his long-absent father, Lucas Taylor, host of Super Chef. So

PARENT Moms Don’t Have Time To Have Kids by Zibby Owens What’s better than fifty-two essays

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

when he finds out that Taylor is doing a kids-only season of the show, Curtis sees it as an opportunity to finally meet his dad. Although he does land a spot in the competition, nothing goes according to plan. Everything rides on the last challenge, which could afford him the top prize… and the truth.

Gigi at the White House! by Giovanna McBride; illustrated by John Hutton When Giovanna “Gigi” McBride visited her mother, Anita McBride, at work, she went to The White House! As Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, Anita was able to share this unique and treasured experience with her daughter, who’s now passing on her own memories from when she was four-and-a-half to eightand-a-half years old in her new children’s book. Through vibrant illustrations by artist John Hutton, Gigi’s favorite stories—from the Oval Office to special occasions like the Easter Egg Roll, Fourth of July, Halloween and Christmas— are all included!

Q& A

zu b

SPOTLIGHT ON LOCALS

Stamford-loving residents share their local favorites

AHMAD K. MICKENS

JUDITH POST ROLL

Town Tradition “My favorite town tradition is my Annual White Collar Boxing Show Gala, where I bring people from all over to Stamford to see the city and learn about the RF Youth Boxing Program and the work we do in the Stamford community.” Best View “The best view in town is The Bridge on Blachley Road, where you can see the city skyline behind the highway lights.” Coffee Spot “Donut Delight on the corner of Dock St. and Elm St.” Longtime Business Pick “My longtime favorite business is Revolution Training, of course. It’s been around since 2005. However, if I wasn’t talking about my own business, I would say, Connecticut Power Yoga. I’ve watched them grow and become a force in the community since the start on High Ridge.”

above: Connecticut Power Yoga is co-owned by Aimee and Tim Elsner

Chef/owner of Tabouli Grill and Judy’s Bar + Kitchen

Stamford Resident 25 years

New-Place Pick “My favorite new business is XenHouse. I know the owners— Alex, Ross and Dez. I’ve witnessed them go from working and helping build a company into starting their own movement.”

Town Tradition “The Stamford Greek Festival” Best View “My backyard on the hammock looking up at the towering trees of North Stamford.”

New-Place Pick “Kouzina. Not so new, but we really like it! We love checking out other Middle Eastern restaurants because it is our absolute favorite food to cook and eat. We usually get the mixed grill to share. The french fries underneath the meat that have soaked up all those delicious meat drippings are the best!”

Coffee Spot “Turning Point.”

above: XenHouse owners Ross Bertrand, Alex Joseph and Desmond K. Hinds

Favorite Restaurant “My favorite restaurant is Chez Vous Bistro, and my favorite dish is their burger—it’s absolutely amazing.” above: Kickstart the day with fresh coffee from Turning Point.

above: Authentic Greek cuisine from Stamford’s Kouzina Taverna

above: Chez Vous Bistro on Bedford Street

What Makes Stamford Great “The business owners, the people in government and the essential workers all live in town. You see the people who make up the city. And coming from northern New Jersey, I really appreciate how safe and clean Stamford is.”

above: New American dishes at Olio above: Fresh tortellini by Café Silvium

Longtime Business Pick “Cafe Silvium”

“I’m passionate about the health work I do in that so many people trust me to help them make positive change in their life. I’ve always tried to lead by example.”

Fave Food “Anything from Olio.” What Makes Stamford Great “Diversity!”

“When you love your job, it doesn’t feel like work. I’m passionate about all things food. I think and dream about food pretty much all the time. It’s just what I do.”

stamfordmag.com

PHOTOGRAPHS: AHMAD BY JOSUE CORTEZ; YOGA CLASS © FIZKES - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; XENHOUSE, KRISTY RAMSAY PHOTOGRAPHY; CHEZ VOUS BISTRO AND JUDY, CONTRIBUTED: COFFEE, IG @TURNINGPOINTCOFFEEROASTERS; TORTELLINI, IG @TURNINGPOINTCOFFEEROASTERS; GREEK CUISINE, @KOUZINATAVERNA; RESTAURANT EXTERIOR, IG @ OLIOSTAMFORD

Owner of Revolution Training and founder of the RF Youth Boxing Program, master level personal trainer, life coach and nutrition specialist Stamford Resident 17 years

by joey macari

zu b

above: Hope for Haiti provides ongoing support as well as critical assistance, including supplies and services, during crises.

Have Hope Stamford stepping up to help Haiti

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL HOAGLAND

ven in the best of times, education is a challenge for families in Haiti. The impoverished nation lacks critical resources and Haiti’s literacy rate is about 62 percent, which is far below the average of 94 percent in other Latin America and the Caribbean nations. The August 14 earthquake exacerbated an already difficult situation, especially for the nation’s precious school-age children. The 7.2 magnitude quake killed more than 2,200 people, resulting in more than $250 million in property damage. Nearly 61,000 homes were destroyed along with businesses, places of worship and, yes, schools. For a nation that has seen more than its fair share of devastation— four earthquakes have struck the nation of 11 million since 1994— the August earthquake may have caused the most hardship. Skyler Badenoch, chief executive officer of hope for haiti (hopeforhaiti.com), which has an office in Stamford, saw

“Students have to walk a long way. Parents of those children will have to make tough decisions. A school that might have a tarp structure might be a temporary solution. They’re going to need supplies. We’re looking at a long-term rehabilitation of schools that’s going to take years.” The worldwide pandemic and decades-old political unrest prior to the earthquake contributed to Haiti’s education problems. The wreckage caused by the earthquake presents more challenges. Badenoch is hoping the Stamford community can help the nation move forward by providing economic assistance. “The best thing to do is research the organizations on the ground through Charity Navigator and make a cash donation,’’ Badenoch said. “Find the organizations that make the work happen, advocate for them, share that information. We’ve been blessed to have many advocates for our work, and that has been a big lift. I’d also think that if people

the destruction firsthand shortly after the earthquake. “Compared to 2010, this earthquake was not as catastrophic in terms of loss of life,’’ Badenoch said. “But in terms of vital community infrastructure, this was far worse. There was tremendous destruction of livelihoods, churches, healthcare facilities and schools. Life was challenging for Haitians before the earthquake. It is even more dire now.” An NPR report said the earthquake destroyed 173 schools and severely damaged 270 others. “Just getting to school is almost impossible,’’ Badenoch said.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

by sc ot t thomas

follow us on social media and learn about the issues, it will help them make informed decisions about how they can support the cause.” More than one million Haitian diaspora live in the United States, with sizable populations in Stamford, Bridgeport and the New York City area in general. They have shown tremendous support for the nation. Some organizations in the area—Stamford Health, Americares and buildOn among them—have already stepped up. More is needed. Rebuilding is going to require extended time, resources and compassion, especially for children who no longer have a school to go to. “People are tired, they are discouraged,” he said. “You have to be realistic. But there is always hope. They are not giving up. There is continued hope and perseverance, even in the wake of challenging circumstances. Service is part of the recovery process. People are discouraged, but they are not without hope.”

u b z

PLANT POWER A NEW BOOK BY DR. KATIE TAKAYASU PROVES THE HEALING POWERS (AND DELICIOUSNESS) OF VEGGIES by li z barron phot o gr aphs by j ul ia d 'ago st ino

iving a plant-forward lifestyle is something that Dr. Katherine Wehri Takayasu, M.D., M.B.A. (aka Dr. Katie) ,not only preaches, but also practices. “Food truly is medicine, and it either helps bring us toward our goals or away from them,” says Dr. Katie, who practices integrative medicine with Stamford Health, serving patients both virtually and in-person at her offices in the Tully Center in Stamford. Her practice combines traditional Western medicine with acupuncture, mind-body medicine, supplements, nutrition and lifestyle optimization. “Every single thing that we put into our body is informing it of what we want it to do. Just like a car, if we want it to operate at maximum capacity, we need to give it premium gasoline.” While Dr. Katie’s new book, Plants First, releases this month and is based on her medical knowledge, it is written from a uniquely authentic place. In the first chapter, she delves deep as she details her past battles with weight, body shame, mental health, sleep issues, infertility and managing chronic pain. Overweight and on a diet for many of her early years, Dr. Katie says she never felt truly comfortable in her own skin. Her struggles continued throughout medical school and residency and eventually began to impact her mental health, leaving her depleted, anxious and depressed. Dr. Katie’s then boyfriend (now husband) convinced her to try a yoga class one evening, and she quickly found herself feeling

above: Dr. Katie believes in the healing power of a plant-based lifestyle. below: Plants First releases this month.

stamfordmag.com

better than she had in months. It was then that she knew it was time to make some real changes. As she increased her workout routine over time and balanced her nutritional needs, Dr. Katie says she began to notice all of her ailments easing. “It takes about two to three months of consistent efforts—not to be confused with perfection—to notice biochemical changes, which means your body righting the wrongs,” she explains. Dr. Katie stands by massive amounts of research that proves that plants are the most nutrient dense foods to heal and fuel the body. When it comes to the way that the body responds, between the balance of fullness and nutrition, choosing plants is always going to

buzz

SPICED APPLE & GINGER TODDY Cozy up and detox with Dr. Katie’s good-for-the gut non-alcoholic hot holiday drink of choice Ingredients 1 bag honeybush, hibiscus, or turmeric tea 1 cup hot water 1 to 2 tablespoons unfiltered apple cider vinegar Juice of ½ lemon 4 shakes ground cinnamon 2 shakes ground nutmeg 2 shakes ginger powder Drizzle of honey For garnish: 1 apple slice or lemon wedge 1 cinnamon stick Directions Using a 12-ounce cup, steep the tea according to the package directions, keeping the cup covered to retain heat if you’re serving a hot toddy. Add the remaining ingredients to the cup and stir. Garnish with an apple slice or lemon wedge and a cinnamon stick.

be the most efficient and effective choice. Dr. Katie sees herself as a “co-healer” in wellness and aims to take into consideration the different ways that her patients really want to live their lives. Thus, her holistic approach focuses on the entire mind/body/spirit connection. A plant-based diet can aid in healing of hormonal imbalances, inflammation and numerous other medical issues, she stressed. Eating the wrong foods can negatively impact both our physical and emotional health and by listening to what Dr. Katie calls our “wellness intuition,” we can learn to understand what feels good and start to honor it. We can all fall prey to patterns of all or nothing when it comes to diet and exercise, which tend to leave us exhausted and burned out leading to unhealthy decisions, she says. By learning to listen to our “wellness intuition” we can move more smoothly toward a lifestyle of moderation. “You’re only as far away from wellness as your next choice,” reminds Dr. Katie. Speaking of choices, in addition to her book, Dr. Katie has also developed a detox program that is available in both five-day and 10-day resets with optional meal delivery and the goal of refreshing both our brains and bodies. For more information or to purchase the Dr. Katie Detox, visit drkatie.com/dr-katie-detox . Plants First will be available for purchase beginning on November 9 at Barrett Bookstore in Darien or on drkatie.com/plantsfirstmag.

STAY WELL

Six tips to keep your health in check as you hit the holiday celebrations

No. 1 Save room for dessert Have Grandma's decadent apple crumble pie or the rich sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping. Enjoy it. Savor every bite. And then move on with your life knowing that you had exactly what your heart wanted.

No. 2 Don't drink too much water when eating Dr. Katie recommends drinking most of your water in between meals, early in the day. Too much water at meals dilutes stomach acid and digestive power and leads to excess bloating.

No. 3 Savor your ONE glass of wine or cocktail Women's livers can only tolerate one alcoholic drink a day, and more than that leads to poor sleep, hot flashes and weight gain, Dr. Katie says. “I know I sip my one drink so much differently if I know there’s not another one coming around the bend.”

No. 4 Don't over-exercise the day after to make up for your indiscretions “I'm a proponent of working out at a level of 6/10 on the expenditure scale,” she says. “Super intense workouts where you are completely out of breath and dripping sweat release stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine that make it even tougher to manage blood sugar and energy because it sends the body into a state of stress.”

No. 5 Take a walk within two hours of a meal Studies are conclusive that movement after a meal enhances blood sugar metabolism, reduces insulin secretion and decreases weight gain. “At my Thanksgiving, we all takea nature walk in the woods behind my house,” Dr. Katie says.

No. 6 Eat "linner" with an intermittent fast If you want to dip your toe into intermittent fasting, instead of skipping breakfast and eating all of your calories late in the day, consider an earlier dinner instead. “One of my favorite Sunday traditions is a 3:30 p.m. family dinner, which allows me a 16+ hour fast until breakfast on Monday morning,” she says. Dr. Katie with her husband and sons at home in Darien.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

MEET FLOWCODE, THE NEXT GENERATION OF QR CODES

Go ahead, try it out. Point your phone’s camera at the Flowcode to scan.

sh p by naomi swanson

LORO PIANA Cashmere Cape; pricing varies based on fabrication and trims. Greenwich, Westport; mitchellstores.com

holiday FINDS ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

The season’s hottest gift for everyone—and everything—you love

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 WESTPORT

shop / H

LIDAY GIFT GUIDE

JULISKA Le Panier Delft Blue Pitcher; $98. juliska.com

OOMPH Social Lights refillable lighters; $49. Greenwich, oomphhome.com

L’AVANT High Performing Dish & Hand Soap Duo; $54. lavantcollective.com

POTTERY BARN

White Marble Glass Domed Cheese Board; $50. Westport, potterybarn.com

KLONG

in a PINCH

Long Brass Äng Vase by Eva Schildt; $185. New Canaan, designstore. theglasshouse.org

MARK & GRAHAM Oak Paddle Shot Set of 12, fully monogrammable; $150. markandgraham.com

Hostess-ready gifts that are sure to get you invited again

SERENA & LILY Avery Alpaca Throw in coastal; $398. Westport, serenandlily.com

JOHN DERIAN The John Derian Sticker Book; $35. johnderian.com

TERRA DELYSSA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil; $16.50. Westport, Greenwich, balduccis.com

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

LIDAY GIFT GUIDE

/ shop 1

JL ROCKS

Randi Link Chain with the Katie Carabiner; $1,875. Greenwich, Westport, jlrocks.com

RESTORATION HARDWARE Heathered Cotton Cashmere Pajamas; $149. Greenwich, rh.com

JUDITH RIPKA

Vienna Stirrup Cuff, $1,450. judithripka.com

DAVIDOR 18k Rose Gold L’Arc de DAVIDOR Ring; $11,050. Greenwich, betteridge.com

UNSUBSCRIBED

Oversized Cashmere Cardigan; $350. Greenwich, Westport, unsubscribed.com

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

self INDULGE Your wish list just got a little longer

LOEFFLER RANDALL Doreen Floral Clutch; $325. Darien, dariensport.com

SARAH VENTURA Signature Black Diamond Bangle; $6,000. Westport, sarahventura.com

NIC & ZOE Color Splash Cardigan; $168. Westport, nicandzoe.com

ROBERTO COIN Diamond Flower Circle Hoop; $2,750. Fairfield, hcreidjewelers.com

shop / H 1

LIDAY GIFT GUIDE

tailored FOR HIM

VACHERON CONSTANTIN Historiques American 1921; $36,800. Greenwich, manfredijewels.com

BVLGARI MAN Black Eau de Parfum; $148. Norwalk, nordstrom.com

From date night to game night in, these gifts have him set for every occasion

LEDBURY Tangier Gray Kingstowne Kudu Leather Boot; $425. ledbury.com

GIANT TranceX E+ Pro 29 1 Electric Bike; $6,250. New Canaan, newcanaanbicycles.com

4 2 7

BLADE & BOW 22-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; $1,099. barmywines.com

SAMSUNG

Terrace Outdoor TV (available in full or partial sun); from $3,499— $12,999. samsung.com

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI

RAG & BONE

Commuter Overnighter Large Duffle Bag; $695. rag-bone.com

DAVID YURMAN Pavé Streamline ThreeRow Band Ring with Black Diamonds, $2,950. Westport, lbgreen.com stamfordmag.com

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

Christmas Intarsia Shawl Cardigan; $3,295. Greenwich, saks.com

LIDAY GIFT GUIDE

/ shop

2 1

CROSLEY Switch II Entertainment System; $170. burkedecor.com

DE’LONGHI

Dinamica Plus Fully Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine; $1,500. Westport, williams-sonoma.com

3 OKA

Herrinko mugs, set of four; $50 (new store opening in Westport this February), oka.com

STAYcation!

CRATE & BARREL Foosball table; $999. Westport, crateandbarrel.com

MITCHELL GOLD & BOB WILLIAMS Jade Marble Bar tools; $100. Greenwich, mgbwhome.com

Make your home as upscale—and fun— as your favorite boutique hotel

TERRAIN

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

4 5

Folded Leather Baskets; $88–$98. Westport, shopterrain.com

BEY-BERK

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

Wooden Multi-Game Set; $180. neimanmarcus.com

do by nic ole gl or

THANKSGIVING SPREAD

’ll admit, even as a fitness instructor, just researching and writing this story was a little depressing. But if you do a little writing of your own in a Thanksgiving exercise journal and add the “two-a-day” football trick, reading it doesn’t have to get you down. Before you turn the page in a huff, hear me out. It’s hard to believe, but according to the Calorie Control Council (a trade group that studies Thanksgiving over-indulgence), the average person eats between 3,000 to 4,500 calories in one Thanksgiving meal and about 230 grams of fat. Walking off a 3,000– to 4,500–calorie feast takes about ten hours for a 180-pound adult. Jogging off the meal takes about six hours, or about five hours of high intensity interval training (HIIT). It sounds daunting if you leave it all for Black Friday. So, my advice is to break it down into smaller workouts throughout the week. Here are some helpful tips. stamfordmag.com

FAHRWASSER - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

FIGHT HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN WITH A FEW SIMPLE TIPS AND TRICKS

do THANKSGIVING DISH-TO-EXERCISE BREAKDOWN APPLE PIE (1 slice) 411 calories 5K Turkey Trot (35 min.)

PUMPKIN PIE (1 slice) 316 calories Yoga (60 min.)

BUTTERED ROLL 210 calories Flag Football (20 min.)

200 calories Spinning (18 min.)

BEGINNERS If you don’t generally work out much during the week, try walking an hour in the morning and an hour at night (a “two-aday workout” like the football players do) Monday through Friday of Thanksgiving week. Make it fun by treating yourself to an audiobook while you stroll. The new habit might just stick, and you can finally start that gentle workout routine you’ve been putting off.

MODERATE EXERCISERS

THOSE WHO WORK OUT 5 TO 6 DAYS A WEEK

If you currently work out three days a week, consider doing your normal cross-training routine early in the day and adding an hourlong afternoon jog with weightlifting or body weight intervals daily during Thanksgiving week.

Plan for some spinning, running, power yoga and weight training early in the day, then add some HIIT workouts in the afternoon or evening all week. Sign up for that Turkey Trot, and after the big meal, try my power yoga gratitude flow or Slimnastics HIIT/yoga fusion workouts. Traveling? You can still meet your goal with my Fit Travel Workout video that requires no equipment. A bonus for all these groups is that after putting this much time into fitness during the week, you may think twice about putting second helpings on your plate.

HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRED? Keeping a journal and enlisting a workout buddy are two great ways. Add one to ten things you’re grateful for in that journal to help stave off holiday stress.

PRO TIP Consider healthier recipes for traditional favorites.

Find Nikki's videos on instagram @Nikkifitness or on the NikkiFitness App.

One of my favorite ways to re-create a healthier and delicious option for Thanksgiving stuffing is an apple, apricot and almond stuffing from the Frog Commissary Cookbook. And it's pretty! The red, orange and brown ingredients give it a festive autumn look.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

TURKEY BREAST (6 oz.) 195 calories Ice skating (50 min.)

EGG NOG (1/2 cup) 190 calories CrossFit (13 min.)

STUFFING (1/2 cup) 180 calories Stair running (10 min.)

CORN BREAD (2 oz.) 160 calories Swimming (15 laps)

RED WINE (6 oz.) 150 calories Walking (35 min.)

MASHED POTATOES (1/2 cup) 120 calories Weight training (35 min.)

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE (1/2 cup) 70 calories Dancing (15 min.)

GRAVY (1/4 cup) 45 calories 50 burpees

CRANBERRY SAUCE (1/4 cup) 37 calories 60 push-ups Source: The Daily Burn

TOP ROW FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: KIEFERPIX - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; GPOINTSTUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; KZENON - STOCK; BOTTOM: ADOBE.COM ALLIANCE - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE (1/2 cup)

A stunning view of Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls, otherwise known as Mosi-oaTunya, one of the seven wonders of the world

by kim-marie evans

Glamorous Globetrotting T

here was a time when long-haul travel meant steamer trunks, bespoke transportation and a sense of unbridled excitement. There were no maddening crowds fighting for space, no wasted hours in check-in lines, just five-star service effortlessly delivered in the wildest reaches of the globe. For those looking for luxury in unspoiled nature, we found two fabulous, curated offerings.

greenwichmag.com

UNSLASH/JASOM ZHAO

TWO COMPANIES THAT ARE TAKING TOUR TRAVEL TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BOB CAPAZZO, KRISTIN HYNES, MELANI LUST & MARSIN MOGIELSKI

PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEOGRAPHY

SOCIAL MEDIA

Moffly Media is one of the leading providers of professional event photography and marketing services in Fairfield County. We capture compelling, high-quality images of individuals and groups at meaningful events. With our wide range of capabilities from video to social media, Moffly will customize a marketing program that’s just right for you.

LEARN MORE! CONTACT KATHLEEN GODBOLD AT KATHLEEN.GODBOLD@MOFFLY.COM OR 203.571.1654

og TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

CONTRIBUTED

above: A suite at the Matetsi River Lodge below: Four-star dining along the river

A SAFARI LIKE NO OTHER For big game without the big crowds, Roar Africa and its founder Deborah Calmeyer escort just ten guests aboard a specially outfitted Emirates A319 jet for the safari of a lifetime. (Upcoming trip is August 26 to September 7, 2022.) Roar is the first and only company that Emirates has allowed to customize an aircraft. The inaugural Greatest Safari on Earth embarked in August of 2021 and was a huge success. But at $125,000 per person, it doesn’t come cheap. It’s fitting that such an overthe-top travel experience begins with a stay at the glittering Bulgari hotel in Dubai. Guests then board the customized Emirates jet, along with Deborah and her expert team, including Dr. Ian McCallum, renowned poet, conservationist and psychiatrist, and Dr. Lucy King, a zoologist. The first stop is in Zimbabwe to visit one of the world’s seven wonders—Victoria Falls, stamfordmag.com

The luxury of this experience is matched only by its intention to support local communities and wildlife. Deborah and her team have long been committed to conservation, humanitarian work and economic education and development in Africa. Conscious that flying on the new A319 Executive Private Jet creates a significant carbon footprint, Roar Africa ensures the entire trip (flights and on-the-ground emissions) are carbon-neutral with high-quality offsets. Environmental projects that were funded from the inaugural journey include the installation of sixty-nine solar panels in Rwanda, the planting of 1,300 trees, access to fresh water for 3,000 Kenyans and donations to Rhinos Without Borders in Botswana. Deborah reflects on her venture: “Witnessing the transformation of our guests as they were immersed in the wilderness reaffirmed the importance of returning humans to wild spaces. It’s my sincere hope that this journey will inspire a new wave of responsible tourism to Africa. The enormous pride and unending hope of the African people in each country made us all the more aware of the essential role tourism plays in Africa, and I can’t wait to do it all over again in 2022 and 2023.”

otherwise known as Mosi-oaTunya (The Smoke that Thunders). Lodging is at Matetsi Private Game Reserve, which sits on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. All meals are included, and each suite has a private plunge pool to refresh after a day of adventure. Days are spent on game drives at both Matetsi and the nearby Moremi Game Reserve. One day is set aside for a riverboat cruise along a private stretch of the river, which is home to the hippos, exotic birds and crocodiles. Also, expect to see vast elephant herds wander down to the water for a drink as you float past. Next stop is the Xigera Safari Lodge, located in a quiet corner of Botswana often referred to as Africa’s “Last Eden.” At Xigera (pronounced Kee-jeera), you create and curate your own dining experience. The talented chefs have an “anything, anytime” approach. Whether it’s a bush breakfast or a picnic on your private deck, the chefs are always happy to oblige. The third stop is perhaps the most extraordinary. You’ll camp at Angama Mara, which is located high above the floor of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. The lodge takes its name from the Swahili word for “suspended in midair.” The camp is a collection of tented suites overlooking Kenya’s Maasai Mara, considered the loveliest game reserve on the continent. You can choose to drift across the Mara in a hot air balloon, take a walking safari with the local Maasai, or enjoy a picnic in the same location where scenes from Out of Africa were filmed. Here is your chance to witness a portion of the “Great Migration.” This is the journey of millions of wildebeest, accompanied by zebra, gazelles, elands and impalas, that stampede about 1,800 miles in search of greener pastures. Pure magic. The last stop at Singita Kwitonda in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, allows guests to observe endangered mountain gorillas. About 600 mountain gorillas, which make up more than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, live in the area of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The trek to meet the majestic beasts is considered one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences.

og o g

above: Amangiri, Utah left: Amanyara, Turks and Caicos

COMING TO AMERICA ( S )

below: Amangani, Wyoming

Prefer to adventure closer to home? This January, Aman Jet Expeditions is launching its “Adventures in the Americas” journey. Fourteen guests will be whisked from one Aman resort to the next by private jet. Instead of searching for the Big Five game animals, you’ll hit the Big Four luxe resorts: Amanera (Dominican Republic), Amanyara (Turks and Caicos), Amangiri (Utah) and Amangani (Wyoming). The fourteen-passenger excursion departs on January 23 and

of Amanyara, a secluded resort in Turks and Caicos. The resort is an 18,000-acre nature reserve overlooking half a mile of the North West Point Marine National Park. Here, you’ll explore the surrounding cays on a private yacht, hike with a naturalist, learn to kite-board or explore the coral reefs and marine life with the help of a motorized Seabob-jet. Leaving the lapping waves of the Caribbean behind, the next stop is the American desert. Guests are taken from the Bombardier jet to the famous Amangiri hotel via helicopter, following an aerial tour of the Grand Canyon. Once settled, there are options to explore the majestic setting with a three-canyon hike (led by a Navajo guide), horseback rides and trips out to Monument Valley or Zion National Park. The journey wraps up in Jackson Hole at the Amangani resort, the perfect place to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. In addition to daytrips to the parks to spot wildlife, guests enjoy activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, snow coach tours, and photography workshops. Need more adrenaline? The hotel can also arrange heli-skiing and helicopter photo flights over Yellowstone. left: Amanera, Domincan Republic

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

CONTRIBUTED

returns February 4, 2022. Cost per person: $69,888. The journey begins in the Dominican Republic at Amanera, an ultra-luxe resort tucked between the ocean and the rainforest overlooking the sands of the Playa Grande. Guests can horseback ride through teak forest plantations, take a ceviche cooking class, wreck-dive in turquoise waters, kayak through mangrove forests, explore colonial Santo Domingo and learn the Dominican art of cigar rolling with a maestro. The next leg is to the white sand beaches

money matters GIFT LIST

is the season to give, give, give. Bell-ringers, bakesales, charity galas and pieces of mail filled with success stories or tales of woe compete for your attention—and your cash. ’Tis also the season to gather with loved ones. Covid-19 protocols in place, you and your kids can (hopefully) gather around the table with Grandma and Grandpa, count your blessings and dig in. In other words, the time is right for talking with your family about

ENTERING THE SEASON OF SHARING YOUR WEALTH

sharing the wealth. “This is a good opportunity to discuss what is it about money that is important to us. Who am I sharing my wealth with?” says R. Michael Parry, president of Liberty Wealth Advisors in Stamford. Parry’s firm specializes in customized wealth management for high-net-worth clients, with tax preparation a centerpiece of his practice. Many smart tax strategies used to protect wealth can also benefit charitable giving, Parry says, helping your gifts to grow while lowering the payout to Uncle Sam. Before you start handing out money, create a mission statement, the same way the big foundations do. What causes are important to you, your spouse, your children? Ask the elders around the table where and how they share their money, and talk about where and how you share yours. Lead by example, Parry says. Together, come up with a few causes that you and your family can support locally, as that’s where you can make the greatest

GOOD TO GIVE

difference. Set actionable goals. The more focused you are, the more effective your giving, versus donating haphazardly into every open hand. Next, establish a vehicle for giving. Many high- and ultrahigh-net-worth families (more than $30 million in liquid assets) establish their own charitable lead/remainder trusts and annuities, or foundations to make the most of their gifts. But you don’t need an army of advisers or eight-figure gifts and estates to receive tax benefits the way the rich do. “A donor advised fund has a lot of appeal because of how easy it is to set up,” says Parry. “It’s like having your own family foundation, without the high costs and with minimal legwork.” Many financial advisory firms sponsor donor advised funds, providing all the accounting, bookkeeping and backend support that a private foundation would have to bear. Your family can have its own account within that framework. You donate cash,

stocks, real estate and more into the fund, get a tax deduction for your gift in the year that it’s given, and then let the gift grow tax-free over time until you donate it. Consider it a charitable investment account. Your gifts can benefit your church, the local soup kitchen, your alma mater —any IRS-recognized charitable institution. “Making a gift of appreciated securities has the most bang for the buck,” Parry says. “Let’s say you put $10,000 in Apple stock, and it’s now worth $100,000. By donating that into a donor advised fund, you get the immediate tax deduction of $100,000. The Apple shares can be sold and diversified [in the fund], and there’s no capital gains owed.” That money can be left to grow in the fund or can be gifted “to any legitimate nonprofit in existence,” says Parry. Your kids can chip in a portion of their allowance, gifts or wages as well. “What a great way to be able to involve your children to talk about who the money benefits.”

(Not So Random) Acts of Kindness

With tuition to pay, mounting bills and a shrunken bonus due to Covid, it might seem like your household has no free money to spare these days. But charity does not thrive on money alone. You can donate your time or expertise to a worthwhile venture. Maybe you’re a social media maven or a natural with a hammer and nails. Each of our cities and towns in lower Fairfield County has a food pantry, a social service agency or a community action group that would be happy for your brains or your brawn. Parry, for example, volunteers at the Highland Green Foundation, serves as an elder at his church and helps raise funds for Greenwich-based Kids in Crisis.

stamfordmag.com

CONTRIBUTED

R. Michael Parry

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

THE BEST SENIOR CARE

Compassionate skilled nursing care that’s nationally recognized for excellence, quality, safety and staffing. Get the care your loved one needs and the peace of mind you deserve, right in the community.

Is Close to Home.

• SKILLED NURSING • THERAPEUTIC RECREATION • ROBUST AMENITIES • MEMORY CARE

Call today. (203) 618-4200 NathanielWitherell.org

5-STAR

QUALITY RATED CMS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center is committed to promoting the fundamental right of all individuals to be safe in their personal relationships. Our professional staff offers confidential services at no charge, including court and legal services, group and individual counseling, temporary shelter, housing services, children’s services, medical advocacy, multilingual services, PeaceWorks prevention education and a 24-hour hotline (1-888-774-2900). DVCC is the only domestic violence agency serving the communities of Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and Weston.

Westy Mover Concierge For over thirty years, Westy Mover Concierge has recommended select movers to thousands of customers in order to make their moving experience pleasant and at reasonable cost. Westy does not charge movers for the service, but insists that they satisfy our customers.

777 Summer Street, Suite 400 • Stamford, CT 06901-1022 Phone: (203) 588-9100 5 Eversley Avenue • Norwalk, CT 06851-5821 Phone: (203) 853-0418 www.dvccct.org TOLL-FREE 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 1-888-774-2900 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

PHOTOGRAPHY: EVENT BY KYLE NORTON; CREATE SIGN BY GARVIN BURKE; BUILDING AND EGGPLANT, CONTRIBUTED

top: Outdoor festivities above, left: Whipped eggplant off the excellent menu at The Wheel restaurant above, right: Art installations add to the creativity throughout below: A wide view of the renovated space

creators and connectors

The relentlessly optimistic and well-networked team behind Stamford’s mammoth development, the village, positions it at the center of it all

by chris hodenfield

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

efore he vowed to turn the city of Stamford into “the next Austin, the next Brooklyn,” Brent Montgomery was a kind of golden boy among TV producers. In a business where the most frequent dream is simply to get out of the next pitch meeting alive, he was the great persuader. With sunny likability and dazzling energy, he created, developed or oversaw over 100 TV series. He created an empire. Now he wants another. Right here. Brent Montgomery is only the latest media heavyweight to land in Stamford. The city is now fairly bursting with digitalstreaming-broadcast-whatever operations. Montgomery, who made his fortune with “unscripted” shows (once referred to as reality television) such as Pawn Stars, Queer Eye and Fixer Upper, took his gains and went not to outer space but to the city neighboring his Greenwich home, Stamford, where you can be sure the city authorities are receiving him with the toothiest of smiles. Why the welcome? Well, Montgomery just has a way of going large. He may already be responsible for at least 600 jobs moving here (jobholders who can afford the new apartments and houses), and he shows no signs of quitting. One partner in his endeavors is Jimmy Kimmel, the late-night comedianturned-investor. But the most important partner is Montgomery’s wife, Courtney, who knows how to take her energetic husband’s ideas and turn them into viable operations. This story is just as much about her rise in the real-estate world. Courtney likes the dynamic she shares with Brent. It was all on display not long ago at the grandest manifestation of their thinking, a beautiful new work/play building named The Village, located alongside the eastern canal in the entertainingly jumbled district of the South End. The former address of this site,

860 Canal Street, was changed to 4 Star Point. But stars aren’t the only point. A good crowd has assembled in the parking lot for the unveiling of a children’s mural about fifty feet high, and among the milling well-wishers were family and business partners and…kids? Yes, kids, because among the partnerships is a school. While Brent rushed around saying hello to family, Courtney watched on with fondness in her eye. Synergies run hot around these people. They never actually use the word, but it comes to mind as you contemplate their myriad ventures. As the curtain fell from the mural, Courtney, a Trumbull native, stood to the side. She met Brent in his early scuffling days when he was assisting production on MTV. “We worked on High School Stories, a prankreenactment show. Brent was on the creative side; I was on the operational side, dealing with logistics. We came together talking about The Bachelor, which at the time I was obsessed with. I was pumping him for information on the coming season.” A calm woman with an easy smile and blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders, she laughs at the thought.

Reinventing The Wheel

This meeting would lead to marriage and their grandest productions: three children, now between the ages of eight and three. Those kids led the family, as it has so many Fairfield County newcomers, out of the city and into the greenswards of Greenwich in 2014. “I decided to take a break from production and start investing in properties here and in L.A., places where my husband had TV shows,” says Courtney. “It was a natural transition to buy up all these properties in spots I knew and renovate them and resell them. I loved it. It was similar to what I was doing in television in the sense I was managing crews of people, schedules, budgets, and really needing to think quickly on my feet.”

stamfordmag.com

In the buying and building of area properties, she partnered up with contractor Gary Zarra, who is now her partner in Wheelhouse Properties. The name is apt, as we’ll see, given the Montgomerys’ instinct for alliances, all spinning off like spokes of a wheel. Her company developed the five-story building with the intriguing wedge-shaped entryway. The design was by CPG Architects of Stamford. “Brent had the idea for this building, The Village. This is how we’ve always worked. He has a lot of ideas and is always kicking up something,” she says. “He had this idea and I stepped in—as I did in TV—as the executional arm.” Their first base of operation was a converted piano factory on the corner of Pacific and Dock. “If it’s left to my husband, he sees a much larger vision of Connecticut. For me, I just love having a place for our kids to see what we’ve created, and for others in the community.” The others in this particular community— the current spokes of the wheel—all come with a particular set of “But wait, there’s more!” provisos. The Village is host to a Cisco Brewers, the first Connecticut outpost for the famed Nantucket brewery. Then on the ground level, overlooking the water, is the signature restaurant, The Wheel, developed by APICII, the group that did Casa Apicii in New York and the Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles. The premier chefs are one thing, but, wait, a lot of the actual vittles are secured by The Village’s Chief Food Curator Mike Geller, head of Mike’s Organic, a local outfit that scours the local farms for the best meats and veggies and won’t stop at reaching out to the S’unaq tribe in Alaska for the best salmon. Geller is currently also at work on a new flagship store for Mike’s Organic in Greenwich at 600 E. Putnam Avenue. As the Montgomerys fit into the new local media ecosystem, so does Geller have a place in his food community. “It’s really about this ecosystem, this collection of small local

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KYLE NORTON

right: Brent and Courtney Montgomery— partners on the new work/play building, The Village, in the South End of Stamford

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

top: Mike Geller, chief food curator for The Village, and head of Mike's Organic below: The Waterside School mural by artist Patrick Ganino bottom: Plenty of outdoor event space

FOOD, PARTY AND MIKE BY KYLE NORTON; MURAL PHOTO BY GARVIN BURKE: BUILDING, CONTRIBUTED

top: Mike Geller shows the garden to Waterside students above: White bean spread from The Wheel, the restaurant on the campus of The Village below: Long view of the multiuse building on the water

stamfordmag.com

farmers and vendors,” he beams, pausing in the unveiling ceremony. Geller maintains beds of herbs on the roof of the building, where he also hosts “outdoor classroom” sessions for kids at the Stamford-based Waterside School to teach them about the food system and sustainability.

Go With The Flow

The Waterside School is an interesting venture only a few blocks from The Village. Built on land donated by Building and Land Technology (BLT), it was opened on September 11, 2001. (“So, talk about overcoming your adversity,” Brent says.) The operating principle was to provide quality education for disadvantaged children ranging from pre-K to fifth grade. In the twenty years since, it has witnessed some brilliant successes. It became connected to the “big wheel” two years ago when Brent, a child of educators, and Courtney walked into the school and asked what they could do. The busy day of the mural unveiling was also a day for the valedictory speech of Duncan Edwards, Waterside’s retiring executive director. Raised in the posh surrounds of the Brunswick School, his life mission became providing a Brunswick-like environment for Stamford kids more accustomed to flintier classes. With Brent and Courtney looking on and beaming, Edwards said a fond goodbye to the kids who came to cheer. Get the kids at their earliest, he likes to say. Later, in a reflective state, he recalled a second grader he met early on. “Bright, and just the right amount of devil,” he said. The parents were supportive and only wanted the best. “Completely different to Brunswick families, but also absolutely identical.” Edwards watched as the kid graduated, went on to get into other private schools, then Columbia. Now he is in his fourth year at Google and starting up an alumnae support fund so that other families can enjoy this opportunity.

“Everything at Waterside is impossible,” he smiles, “and then you run into people who think it’s doable.” Calling Brent “a generous thinker,” he says The Village is helping create a new reality for the neighborhood. “It used to be the wrong side of town. Soon it will be the right end of town.” To help with just that, Edwards has just taken a role with The Village as head of social impact to help deepen The Village’s roots in the community and give back and forge meaningful collaborations with education at the forefront, similar to that of the Waterside initiative. When Brent paused in the swirl of the day, he was asked what inspired him on his mission. He instantly nodded his head across the parking lot to a happy bunch and said, “Two women right over there. My mom, my sister. Along with my aunt and uncle, all educators.” His brother Tanner walked over and socked him on the arm. Brent grinned and jostled with him. “We were military brats, so that was probably a big part of it. Any place we went, we had to adapt.” The phrase used here often is “creative hub.” Notions of this amiable concentricity keep circling around in every conversation. “We want to have all the TV producers here and work with kids, teach them how to make television, how to make podcasts.” He put on the raffish sunbeams and said, “If any of them are crazy enough to want to learn how to do private equity at eight or nine years old, we got that covered. The whole idea of this building is to dream big, and why not do it with someone who’s young enough not to have the trappings of life.”

Location, Location, Location

In the early 1900s, the building housed a wire and cable company. This rejuvenation is just one more act in a long-running play about the changes of South End, which was once called Rippowam by the Siwanoy tribe, who, around 1650 saw visiting Englishmen

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

come by and sample their shellfish and then settle. In the 1870s it was called Hoytville. After Yale & Towne created a big factory, the neighborhood was referred to as Lock City. Office-equipment giant Pitney Bowes would enter the picture in 1917. By the 1980s, many of the abandoned factories had become lofts for artists, including the later recording star Moby. The location, still alternately funky and gleaming, was just too good to abandon. Thanks to massive building projects by BLT, it is now a thriving residential area and just ripe for the likes of the Montgomery team. It may not be Rockefeller Center, but it does have access to a picturesque marina out back. Most important, the South End provides plenty of great raw material for a selfwinding, grand-designing media magnate like Montgomery. Where does his kind come from, anyway? It was more than just San Antonio, Texas. Brent’s entrepreneurial drive was kick-started early by a helpful father, a military man who took his family around the country and was always there to assist in his sons’ enterprises. Mowing lawns? A baseball-card business? We can do that! “My father always wanted to do things beyond the military,” Brent says. “He was always inspiring me to take risks.” In Brent’s early scuffling days in Brooklyn, trying to get something going in TV, he became enamored of the man Walt Disney, who started as a humble animator and finished as a giant of American culture. “The great thing about Disney, as a business and an organization, is that it has a physical place for you to have an experience. Everybody talks now about being ‘experiential,’ but Walt Disney did that in the 1950s. And we joke that The Village is our version of Disneyland. You’ll meet all the Wheelhouse characters; you’ll meet the ITV characters. And for us, that’s where things really happen: in person, around the tables, around good food, around the drinks and conversation.” Before Wheelhouse, there were the years of conceiving and then selling the quirkiest of TV entertainments. Who knew that something like Pawn Stars, a reality show

Federation, CBS Interactive, Jerry Springer and the other media hothouses here, not to mention all the films in production. “I was giving a tour to a guy I really respect,” says Brent, “and he said, ‘You gotta think bigger with this place. You gotta think about Silicon Valley.’ And I started thinking. Why can’t Stamford be the Silicon Valley to Greenwich just like Silicon Valley is to San Francisco? And all of a sudden I started working with the governor and his team and the mayor and his team, just to woo and bring in some of the bigger businesses that were ready to move into the state in the last six months. I mean, the state has done an incredible job with Covid.” Stamford as Silicon Valley? Some might find that faintly amusing, but that’s the sort of energy that produces zeitgeist-altering, pop-culture hits.

“I think Stamford has the potential to be the next Nashville, Austin or Brooklyn,” he opines in the parking lot, a bouncing maelstrom of contagious energy. “And I think that’s only going to happen if a bunch of people come together with the right purpose. We’ve tried to partner with all the great local entrepreneurs who want a place that feels like it wants to reach national, global heights.” He offers a happy interrogation, as if to say: You get this? You coming along? I’ve only just met the guy and already he seems like an old pal. “I’ve met some really great people,” Brent adds, “and they’ve all said, ‘We just needed a place to go.’” Then someone in the celebrating crowd grabs him and pulls him off to other whirling conversations. He and Courtney have places to go.

ROOF GARDEN BY KYLE NORTON; BUILDING, CONTRIBUTED; THE KITCHEN BY NEIL LANDINO; GUITAR WALL BY GARVIN BURKE

about a twenty-four-hour pawn shop in Las Vegas, would be such a hit nineteen seasons later? As his company, Leftfield Pictures, racked up success after success, so would his company accumulate other production companies until it was the largest independent unscripted group in the United States at the time. In 2014, 80 percent of Leftfield was sold to ITV America for $360 million. Brent would run that operation for two years before launching Wheelhouse. ITV America would go on to snap up other production entities and become quite large. It now takes up the fourth floor of The Village. These simple statements do not reveal the sheer amount of talent now breathing in the Stamford air above that canal. Presumably, if they’re not dining in the Wheelhouse, they’ll be competing for table reservations with players from NBC Sports, World Wrestling

above: A view of Stamford from the rooftop garden below: Weather permitting, The Village is a great space for outdoor events right, top: The Chef's Kitchen on the fifth floor right, bottom: Guitar collection in the lounge on the fifth floor

stamfordmag.com

BAR BY GARVIN BURKE: OTHERS BY NEIL LANDINO

top, left: The indoor bar on the fifth floor—one of multiple bars on-site top, right: Spaces can be outfitted for formal occasions below: The Village hosts live music performances—here, a lounge on the fifth floor

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

Jeff Tuohy

Keeping the music flowing at cisco brewers at The Village by scott thomas

“I want people to feel connected with their fellow audience members and the people on stage,” he says. “Whether the song is upbeat or a ballad, it’s important for people to feel like they aren’t alone in this human experience.” That goal is hard, especially in a postpandemic society where people were closed off from one another—and live music—for more than a year. “That’s why the value of live music is so crucial,” Tuohy says. “People are so enthusiastic at these concerts. Live music is important now, more than ever.” Tuohy describes Hudson Delta—the album and the music genre—as a mix of “metropolitan attitude with Americana.” Tuohy, who grew up in Southbury, has lived in New York City for nearly two decades. But he also has a Southern musical flavor to his music. “I’ve heard people call it ‘Skyscraper Blues,’ ” Tuohy says. “Hudson is a reference to the city I love, and Delta is the music I play. Also, New York City is the delta of the Hudson. The name indicates my love for the Big Apple and the music I play.” His musical roots date back to his “days in the crib,” he says. “I caught the bug very early.” His first concert was at a church social, but his career took off after graduating from Emerson College. “I always knew I wanted to do this for a career,” said Tuohy, who opened for several acts in Stamford’s Alive at 5 over the years. “There was no Plan B. If there is, you usually take it.” Tuohy’s musical career stalled in 2009 when a record deal fell through and he went to work as a bartender at Cowgirl Seahorse in the Big Apple’s South Street Seaport. It took stamfordmag.com

above: Cisco Brewers Entertainment Manager Jeff Tuohy

a few years, but he reemerged with a style audiences enjoy and that supports his career. “While working with a label, I had financial support. I had to figure out how to make my art my commerce,” he said. He brings the same eclectic mix that defines his music to Cisco Brewers. It’s entertaining, popular and creative. That’s a winning combination for any artist. “It’s a beautiful setting with a patio on the water, and I’m bringing in the people that I’ve met during my traveling career,” he said. “We’re bringing a variety of musicians that audiences at The Village’s are really going to enjoy.”

CONTRIBUTED

onnectivity is not a word that is frequently used in artistic circles. The word is more commonly used when discussing information technology and electrical systems, but Jeff Tuohy’s eclectic musical skills focus on connecting to audiences. And he’s really good at it. Tuohy programs music for Cisco Brewers at The Village in Stamford. The Nantucketbased brewery opened in May, becoming the first Connecticut location. Tuohy schedules a diverse lineup, with everything from country and tribute nights to brass bands and Latin ensembles. He also recently embarked on a tour that features songs from his new album, Hudson Delta. On stage is where Tuohy unleashes a powerful voice, creative songwriting and energetic showmanship to bring the venue alive.

LOBSTER ROLL BY JEREMY BRUGO; NEATBALLS BY KYLE NORTON, CONTRIBUTED; PIZZA BY MARY BLANK

above: Maine lobster with house tarragon on a brioche bun and sea salt fries below: Spring Rock Farms 'Wagyu' Meatballs right: Smoked ricotta and squash blossom pizza with heirloom cherry tomatoes and calabrian chili

the wheel

The new restaurant at the buzz-worthy The Village offers creative and delicious fare for every palate by mary k at e ho g an

arm-to-table and waterfront are two categories that top diners’ wish lists. And The Wheel manages to check both boxes, striking an intersection of chic décor, a beautiful setting with water views and food sourced from local farms. In fact, some of the veggies and herbs the chefs use here could be called hyperlocal—they’re grown in the rooftop garden a few stories up. With an expansive bar and lounge, dining room and large patio that’s also a setting for pop-up events and live music, this

anchor of The Village in Stamford is a restaurant that serves many fabulous purposes. There’s an A-List team behind the food and beverage program with Mike Geller of Mike’s Organic acting as chief food curator, helping to source ingredients from forty local farms, fishermen and purveyors (all are listed on the back of the menu). From the cocktails to dessert, the dishes make the most of produce harvested from the garden. Beverage Director Kyle Tran, whose credits include The Aviary, a

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

James Beard award-winning cocktail bar, has created a lineup that makes a round of drinks a must. Most cocktails can also be mixed sans alcohol for those who prefer a mocktail. Try the Tahona Mule (orange blossom is the unexpected ingredient) and the Elderflower spritz, made with yuzu soda. We appreciated the versatile menu from Executive Chef Chris Shea, former executive chef of David Burke Kitchen in Manhattan. You can order a Neopolitan-style pizza from

the hearth oven or a top-notch burger, but you can also splurge on oysters and indulge in an entrée like the ribeye with horseradish cream. While we were sitting outside at a recent dinner pondering the options, our server brought a snack of white bean spread with warm pita bread. So tasty. The burrata appetizer we tried featured fresh summery flavors: buttery cheese ringed by Adam’s Berry Farm strawberries and purple basil leaves from the garden with grilled sourdough slices to spread it on. It was luscious and, no doubt, the dish will be treated to a different seasonal presentation for the cooler months. Another starter we loved was the salmon crispy rice, heavenly bites that riff on sushi with raw salmon on top of the crunchy rice with jalapeno and a smoky soy “caramel” sauce adding to the appeal. We’ll order these every time. The blooming mushroom was a hit with the vegetarian in our group; it’s an Asian-style fried hen of the woods with togarashi sauce.

For our entrées, lighter dishes such as the Faroe Island salmon and heartier ones like the short ribs were equally well prepared. The short ribs, plated with fresh corn, baby spinach and mushrooms, are not heavy or overly sauced, allowing the flavor of the meat to shine through. The salmon is grilled and rests on a bed of chilled summer squash slices and a zucchini marmalade, a refreshing dish that’s likely to be tweaked for the winter season. Grilled skirt steak came out perfectly charred, topped with gardenfresh cilantro and red onions and served with a smoky tomato sauce. When a server urges me to try a chicken dish, I usually hesitate; but this brick chicken brined in Cisco beer and cooked in the hearth oven was outstanding, so juicy and served over broccoli rabe with tomatoes bursting with flavor. Creations by Pastry Chef Alessandra Altieri Lopez are prepared with finesse and creativity— and are worth the splurge. Salted caramel ice

stamfordmag.com

cream sundae topped with caramel popcorn and hot chocolate sauce poured from a ceramic sake flask? Yes, please. The pistachio cheesecake with blueberry sauce won raves, too, even from those in our group who aren’t into cheesecake; it’s light and not cloyingly sweet. As we were getting ready to leave on this Saturday night, our server let us know that jazz brunch would be launching the next day with live music and a mix of savory and sweet dishes ranging from banana-buttermilk bread and strawberry-rhubarb brioche French toast to a lox plate, steak and eggs and a lobster roll. So, we joked, same table tomorrow morning? One more reason to give The Wheel a turn.

The Wheel 4 Star Point, 475-270-1300; thevillagewheel.com HOURS Dinner Wednesday to Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. Dinner Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m. Brunch Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

INTERIOR BY MARY BLANK; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

left: Root Beer Float with Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream, stout cake and Foxon Park root beer granita right, above: Beverage Director Kyle Tran right, below: The chic and inviting interior

COLLEGE FOR THEIR CHILDREN

SAVE THE DATE

11.6.21

12TH ANNUAL GREENWICH GALA

HONORING THOSE WE LOST 20 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

PRESENTING OUR PATRIOT AWARD TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL ANDREW P. POPPAS DIRECTOR FOR THE JOINT STAFF

CHILDREN OF FALLEN PATRIOTS FOUNDATION

There are nearly 25,000 military children who lost a parent in the line of duty over the past 35 years. It is our honor to give these children the future their mothers and fathers dreamed of by ensuring their college education. For more information, please contact greenwich@fallenpatriots.org or call 866-917-2373.

FALLENPATRIOTS.ORG

IN GOOD SPIRITS

A Food-and-Drink Lover’s Guide to Enjoying the Holiday Season in Stamford

he magic of the holidays isn’t just in the candles and bows; it’s also in the moments of togetherness. No matter how you choose to celebrate the season, restaurants and bars around town are here to make sure you have a good time with others. The comfort of home and our hometown, Stamford, always finds ways to lighten and brighten the mood and create the moments that bring meaning to these special days.

Sometimes that can be throwing your annual Ugly Sweater Party with close friends to take in some bartending skills at a neighborhood hotspot or making plans to meet up with someone special at a nearby restaurant for festive wining and dining. From big family bashes to little escapes, there’s a place for everyone to grab a fun (and delicious) break from the mad holiday dash. Read on for our gift to you—a good-taste guide to good times close to home.

by joey macari

left: The positions of the food tables and bars are key to a great cocktail hour.

above: For a formal sitdown dinner, guests will appreciate a thoughtful wine selection. left:: Be sure to offer a variety of beverages.

FOOD IMAGE BY TARA MURPHY; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

Wedding Celebration on the Calendar Raise a Toast to an Open Bar During Cocktail Hour

hen it comes to wedding planning, there’s a lot to think about. Between who’s making the cut on the guest lists to what color the bridesmaid dresses are going to be, it’s enough to make I Do’s seem like I Don’ts. Very good thing the pros at WATERS EDGE AT GIOVANNI’S (watersedgeatgiovannis.com) are experts on celebrating just about anything. Voted Best of Weddings by The Knot, and Moffly Media’s own Best of the Gold Coast Connecticut winner for wedding reception venue in 2021, this renowned steakhouse and event space offers top-notch wedding packages housed in

their elegant and tasteful suite rooms. Although the pièce de résistance of any wedding is typically the main course or the cake, the cocktail hour is just as important. Everyone knows that the cocktail hour sets the tone for the evening. With that in mind, JoAnn Latorraca, owner and banquet manager of Waters Edge, shares the secrets to the wedding cocktail hour just for Stamford magazine readers. “The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s cocktail hour is a person’s first impression of your party,” JoAnn begins. “It’s about an hour long and designed for people to mingle and reconnect with those they have not seen in a long while—all before the partying starts. The cocktail party is one of the most important features of any celebration—the right drinks, the right food and the best atmosphere relaxes people and gets them in the mood to party.” JoAnn encourages a taste testing at Waters Edge so she can add some of her own creative NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

touches on the event. “I usually start by focusing on the wedding couple. I see what they like, what drinks are their favorites, etc. Then I try to incorporate a seasonal ingredient to the cocktail. I usually make a few and have the couple pick their favorite for their special signature drink.” Because cocktail hour is the acclimating period after the wedding ceremony, JoAnn suggests strategizing the arrangement of the food tables and bars that guests see when they first walk in. “Our feng shui of party flow includes making our guest feel like family. We guide you towards the bar to grab a drink and, along the way, find an easy, light, small plate of food to nibble on with your drink. We have tables for seating or standing as we pass different hors d’oeuvres. These tables may be nestled in between interactive food stations. We love creating a natural flow and know how to create the best experience for all types of celebrations. We have on staff several

right: If fun were described in a sandwich, it'd be a crunchwrap from Taco Daddy. far right and below: The Lila Rose is pure fun wrapped up in pink and gold.

Feeling Groovy Break with Tradition for the Fun of It

f one were to explain the millennial zeitgeist in a word, it’s vibe. With such a bustling young community in Stamford, vibe takes form in many different ways. It’s having the right look, the right company and the right drink (or two). Where to catch the best vibes? You’re leaps ahead of the game to start your quest at TACO DADDY and THE LILA ROSE (tacodaddystamford .com). The brainchild of John and Morgan Nealon, husband-wife duo, Taco Daddy stamfordmag.com

and its new sister restaurant, The Lila Rose, have been serving up great vibes and equally great food and cocktails so consistently, it has created something of its own vibrant community of people who simply love to have a good time. After leaving Fortina, John teamed up with his wife to create Taco Daddy in 2019. They’ve been known as the crunchwrap gods, cocktail wizards and fun-time-givers ever since. Now, with the new The Lila Rose, a fanciful cocktail and tapas bar, the fun keeps going. “The Lila Rose came from the singular thought, ‘Taco Daddy needs a neighbor,’ says John. “Nowadays, I think the collective feel around town is, ‘All you want to do is go out and do something.’ We wanted to give

INTERIORS BY KYLE NORTON; WRAP, CONTRIBUTED

consultants to make sure every detail is taken care of with one goal in mind, that your event is one you will remember fondly for many years to come.” When it comes to the bar situation, weighing the pros and cons of cash or open bar is also an important decision for couples to make. “Most guests expect an open bar of sort,” JoAnn says. “Having a cash bar has its perks—it’s less expensive on the couple, but with an open bar, people tend to socialize more and it feels more like a complete wedding and a grand gesture of sorts for the guests—like a ‘thank you for coming.’ ” JoAnn recommends a stocked bar, which means it is fully prepped with beer, wine and champagne as well as crowd favorites, such as cosmos, martinis and Manhattans. Also, she adds, that this season bourbon is trending. “Bourbon is the craze right now,” she says, and that’s good news for celebrations. “It’s such a versatile liquor,” she explains. You can serve it hot (as in a hot toddy, that is) if you’re having a white-winter wedding or pair it with seasonal flavors like cinnamon, cranberry or maple in an old-fashioned over ice. Pass the plates, there’s plenty to go around. Guests have up to eight options for passed butler plates, ranging from your traditional meatballs and stuffed mushrooms to nichy light bites like French onion soup bowls and Gorgonzola Dolce-N-Fig Tarts. Themed food stations included in the wedding package elevate the fun and bring a couple’s unique flavor palate to the fold. Couples can keep it casual and fun with an all-American buffet, complete with sliders, ribs and all the fixins’, or a trip “South of the Border” with a build-your-own-taco-and-fajita station; the opportunities are endless. Guests like to be entertained, so JoAnn makes sure every cocktail hour includes some sort of interactive display. Whether it’s photo booths, boards or tokens for guests to write good wishes for the newlyweds, cocktail hour is a great time to knock those out, before “Uptown Funk” brings guests to the dance floor. Waters Edge offers tours of their private suites and dining rooms (see special-events. watersedgeatgiovannis.com).

FOOD BY KYLE NORTON; PORTRAIT, CONTRIBUTED; COCKTAIL BY JULIE BIDWELL

people in Stamford a feel that they’re not in Stamford, that you might only see in a larger format like a New York City club.” The design and mood of The Lila Rose conveys an attainable elegance and nostalgic flare. “First, picture where Tony Montana eats in the dining room in Scarface, mixed with the sort of escapism of the 1970s, reminiscent of Studio 54 vibe,” John paints. “Just fun, loud and a throwback to a time of old.” The design is also a nod to John’s family quirks. “I wanted to give homage to my mom and sisters collective, aesthetic palate: the pink and gold chunky bracelets they wear became part of the decor in that we wanted to bring back gold becoming cool again, while conveying that sense of luxury without

putting a price point on it. Everything in Lila has a reason for it, from the gold flatware and gold trees to the crazy floor designs from our brilliant designer Michaela Santalucia. We had a blast designing The Lila Rose.” Of course, you also come for the cocktails, which, not necessarily by design, was chiefly emphasized at the start of both restaurants. In the beginning John cooked and focused on their bar program; it was priority for the restaurant. Morgan, who comes from a bartending background, worked with Dave Cohade to ensure the cocktail program was eclectic, functional and, at times, funky. “When we realized how aesthetically pleasing it was having a drink focus within this young demographic, despite not having a real chef in this location in the area, we took off from there,” says Morgan. “We wanted things that were tasty, beautiful and delicious—that’s our strength. At The Lila Rose, the drink list is smaller, twists on classics, but the glassware makes the statement for you.” For example, have you ever wanted your drink in a lightbulb? Well, Lila Rose got you covered. As the pandemic situation evolves, one thing that remains consistent, adds Morgan, is their creative spirit. “For us, especially during Covid, we saw restaurateurs stop creating. Everyone was in such a stressed state and it’s hard to stay creative and not rely on old hits or cut menus down. The way we got through this difficult time was by staying creative,” she says. “At meetings, we have one rule: You come up with something, you make it. We all give feedback and sometimes it gets on the menu, but, most important, it’s fun.” Expect the wow factor this holiday season as both Taco Daddy and The Lila Rose decks out their spaces for the season with twinkling lights, and according to the Nealons, “a comical amount of Christmas trees.” We would expect nothing less. The Stamford restaurateurs will share on their Instagram feeds @tacodaddyandthelilarose all the upcoming details on their holidaythemed blackout brunches and not-to-bemissed Thanksgiving-themed offerings as well as how to book party space at either of their restaurants. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

right: Cranberry Pomegranate Mezcalita

Let It Pour

Craft the Perfect Bar Cart at Home

his holiday season you might be considering hosting a full meal, soup to nuts, at home. On the other hand, you might also want to keep it simple and host a cocktail hour just for a few friends. Either way, and anywhere between the two extremes, one secret to success is found in the same place: a well-dressed bar cart. Simply put, a good one makes an impression on your guests. And to do that, give it the works: seasonal garnishes, tasty appetizers, fancy napkins and, of course, a great selection of wine, liquor, mixes and more. Because a bar cart for even the smallest of holiday-time gatherings needs thoughtful TLC, we wanted to serve you expert advice on how to get all of the important details just right—we turned to Jeffrey Selden, managing partner of MARCIA SELDEN CATERING (marciaselden.com). For more than forty years, the business has produced works of delicious art. Based in both Stamford and New York City, the caterers make the area’s most discerning clientele look their best at every soiree.

left: Jeffrey Selden, managing partner of Marcia Selden Catering right: A bar with all of the essentials by Marcia Selden below, left: Creatively use space to create a bar at home below, right: Raspberry trifle with pistachio nougatine

PRO TIP:

“Getting ready for the holidays at home can be made simple in so many ways,” says Jeffrey. “One of my favorite tips to show off your party style is a gorgeous bar cart filled with your favorite libations to help get the party started. No bartender needed! Just set up a great bar cart and let your guests help themselves to your favorite cocktails. The perfect bar cart will match your décor and can be a chic accessory that fits into so many rooms in your home.” Jeffrey recommends that if you don’t have a bar cart on hand, get creative. “Be spontaneous and create one on a console table, side table or kitchen counter.” Finding a solution with what you have can be fun and personal, which your guests will appreciate.

Now that you’ve found the cart, the next step is stocking it properly, and that starts with the essentials. “For me, the ultimate bar cart has an ice bucket, wine glasses, highballs, flutes, martini coupes and rocks glasses” says Jeffrey. “A martini shaker and wine opener are musthaves and to complete the look, add an elegant vase filled with holiday blooms and greenery.” Then the fun begins: cocktails. Anyone can do this. “Make it easy for yourself and your guests and create pre-batched cocktails for them to simply pour and enjoy,” says Jeffrey. If you’re not a trained mixologist, consider Marcia Selden’s pre-batched catered cocktails, created seasonally with flavors that evoke the holiday spirit. “The go-to favorite cocktails at Marcia Selden Catering are our Ginger stamfordmag.com

Cinnamon Bourbon Old-Fashioned and our Pomegranate Mezcal Margarita.” After serving tasty light bites or full entrées, be sure to end the evening on a high note. “Finish off the party with a winter spiced nut mix, baked Brie with dried fruit and ginger snaps and some smoked Norwegian salmon with capers, crème fraîche, pumpernickel toasts and dill mustard,” says Jeffrey. The secret is to prep these end-of-party bites ahead of time. “Room temperature snacks keep you with your guests and out of the kitchen. Be sure to include holiday-inspired cocktail napkins, stirrers and straws. With a fully stocked bar cart, you will be able to enjoy your guests and have a stress-free party at home.”

PORTRAIT BY BY DENNIS KWAN ; TRIFLE BY JULIE BIDWELL; ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

“Add a bar tray to organize everything on the cart for a finished look. Stock the bar cart with wines, bubbly, spirits and mixers, and to elevate the experience, fill collectible decanters with vodka, gin, tequila and bourbon—always fan favorites.” —Jeffrey Selden

This Is Us Buon Natale

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

he holiday season is by far the best season in Italy—even better than the beautiful summers on the Amalfi Coast or skiing in the Alps,” says Enzo Bruno, co-owner with Walter Cappelli of TABLE 104 and the new DIVINA (divinastamford .com). Both restaurants are located in Stamford. He says the whole month of December is dedicated to traditional holiday dishes, and that while many regions share traditions, some have their own. “Growing up on the Mediterranean in Cosenza, some of mine are Cullurialli, which is fried dough with anchovies or sausage, or cotechino and lentils on New Year’s Eve. Christmas Eve is celebrated with a light dinner of a variety of seafood. We fish locally, so mussels, clams and seppia with squid-ink pasta as well as spaghetti with anchovies and breadcrumbs are favorites. We also prepare baccala served with locally grown broccoli di rape. For

dessert, panettone, torrone and pandoro are all served on every table from Milano to Palermo. We play cards and Tombola and we cheer with Prosecco and homemade turdilli—a sweet treat similar to fried gnocchi covered in honey and sprinkles.” Bruno adds that the Christmas Day table is filled with classic meat lasagna, lamb or beef al forno, pork braciole, charcuterie (includes ’nduja and schiacciata made in house), artisan cheeses and fresh fruit. “Homemade red wine is the drink of choice in my family, with plenty of espresso and amaro to follow.” Guests at Divina will feel like part of this Italian family over the holidays. “On any given day, we will have bubbly from Franciacorta-Bellavista Alma Gran Cuvee to pair with fresh oysters and tuna crudo. Spaghetti with anchovies, breadcrumbs and Calabrian chilies will be paired with Castel Sallegg Pinot Grigio. Or you may opt for the grilled octopus with apricotmostarda and a tasting of imported and

left: Blue Point oysters with mignonette and cucumber granita right, top and below: The bar and large table at the handsome new restaurant Divina below: Cast iron New York strip with parmigiano potatoes and briccolini

locally produced charcuterie paired with a Montalcino Fossacolle,” he says. “Slowcooked short ribs over mashed potatoes is another delicious dish to be paired with a Barolo Aldo Conterno. Peppermint chocolate martini for dessert and, of course, espresso.” At its flagship restaurant, Table 104 (table104stamford.com), guests can bring the cocktails outside to the heated tent, which is available for corporate and private events year-round. Table 104 is the 2021 winner for Best Martini in Moffly Media’s Best of the Gold Coast Connecticut, so their espresso martini is a must. Food and the holidays are a passion for Bruno and his team and they love to familiarize new guests with their old-world traditions. Sharing food is a sincere form of flattery for Italians, as Enzo would happily echo. It’s also delicious. “I’m humbled to be part of this culture and very fortunate to keep the tradition moving forward. Auguri a tutti!”

HOME AWAY FROM HOME A good time out includes the good company around you—the people bringing you your food or pouring your drink and the other customers enjoying themselves. At your neighborhood Irish pub, like Tigin, everyone is in good spirits. Whether dining with a big group or just a special someone, you can dig into comfort food that is paired with a refreshing beverage. This is the pleasure of eating out while making good memories.

Get Lucky Irish Eyes

hat cozy feeling that is so synonymous with being home for the holidays needs a place to flourish. A place to put down the cell phone, watch a good sports game, nosh on some comfort food or even test your smarts on pub trivia night. With its name literally meaning “cottage” or “small home” in Gaelic, TIGIN IRISH PUB (tiginirishpub.com) must be

the place for a homey feel. Since 1996, it has been the fountainhead for the Irish, the local football fanatic (both European and American) and those just looking to have great craic (you know, good times). With dozens of beers on draft and bottle, and a fresh food selection that includes classics like fish-n-chips and shepherd’s pie, alongside fare like cheesesteak egg rolls or the Tigin reuben smothered in corned beef, coleslaw, Swiss and Marie Rose sauce on rye. “As an Irish pub and restaurant, the basis of

stamfordmag.com

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TIGIN

top, left: Share a burger with a friend above: Make it festive with a seasonal cranberry mule top, right: Can't miss with a shepherd's pie left: Guinness, of course

our business is gathering and connecting friends, families and even strangers,” says Tigin CEO Kieran McGill. “Those connections create memories and stories that make life richer and better. During the holidays we all rekindle our most important relationships and build new memories— we’re very grateful we get to be the setting for so many.” The Irish know how to celebrate, and it usually includes a Guinness. Try a pint of the original stout or if you’re in the mood for something different, enjoy a Strongbow Cider for its full-bodied, fall flavor. Also this pub has American and Irish whiskeys readily available, along with seasonal cocktails like cranberry mules in copper mugs and White Russians leveled up with Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, Creme de Cocoa, Aztec chocolate bitters, half & half topped with chocolate and candy. In short, there’s a lot of ways to celebrate the season, one sip at a time. For those who regal in a post-party Sunday pub brunch, consider their Irish Coffee made the Irish way: Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey and brown sugar in hot coffee, topped with cream and cinnamon swirls. The mark of any good pub is its hospitality, and Tigin surely has it. Those who visit Tigin once are more than likely to return again. Whether it’s for a soccer tourney or their annual St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza, Tigin welcomes you to hang your coat, take a seat and don’t be a stranger. Sláinte! Tigin posts its hours of operation, special events happenings and sports-showing details on its website and through social media: Instagram @tiginirishpub, and Facebook tiginstamford.

DREW KLOTZ KI NE TI C SCULPTURE

TRUSTS AND ESTATES

Is not just something we do; it is what we do. WILLS AND TRUSTS WEALTH TRANSFER TAX PLANNING PHILANTHROPY DAVIDSON, DAWSON & CLARK LLP COUNSELLORS AT LAW 60 East 42nd Street New York, NY 212-557-7700

18 Locust Avenue, 2nd Floor New Canaan, CT 203-966-8759

www.davidsondawson.com

WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD?

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs. Weddings should have a current Stamford family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day. Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted.

203 221 0563 DREWKLOTZ.COM

Send Information to: editor@stamfordmag.com Stamford Magazine 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880 STOCK.ADOBE.COM

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

2 0 2 1 A W A R D S

tom philip • brunswick school

melissa shapiro

matthew jordan

rob fried

alan miller

L I G H T

F I R E

julie schlafman

CAUSE an

wilner joseph

grace lockhart djuranovic

christine lai

andy berman & sherry jonas

Honoring the members of our community who show us that COMPASSION, HOPE and CARING can indeed change the world by jill johnson mann phot o gr aphs by mel ani lust

there were ever a time when we need reassurance that hearts are open and love will prevail, it is now. Consider one Fairfield County resident who must have felt completely hopeless, even before any of us began uttering the word “pandemic.” His name is Piglet, and as a one-pound, deaf and blind puppy, his prospects for love were grim. Then Westport vet Melissa Shapiro, already mom to

six dogs, brought him into her fold. “The puppy completely turned our house upside-down with his anxious screaming,” says Shapiro. “We weren’t prepared for the amount of time and energy we had to devote to the little guy; but as we held him, provided him with a routine, and taught him tap signals, he started to settle down.” Shapiro was determined to give Piglet a meaningful life—you’ll have to read about how that turned out. (Hint: She overdelivered.) We were all a bit like Piglet when the pandemic hit: disoriented, upset, hopeless. Then there was the routine: the hand-washing, the disinfecting, the masks, the Netflix marathons. Perhaps the family dinners, the calm of not chauffeuring kids, the setting up of a home office and the school room. Tap, tap, tap. Little signals that this is life now and we will get through it, leaning on one another. Some of our neighbors jumped into action to help those in need—we featured an admirable lineup of those model citizens in last year’s Light a Fire. And now, when we all want the pandemic to be over but it’s not, when it feels like it is taking so much out of us, the giving continues in Fairfield County. The givers keep laser-focused on helping. Helping hospitals, helping the needy and the lonely, helping children battling cancer, helping through music, helping through sports, helping with a wee dog named Piglet. Helping love win. Every day. We are proud to introduce you to our 2021 Light a Fire honorees.

L I G H T

F I R E

A W A R D S

2 0 2 1

JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF OUR HONOREES HOSTED BY

JAMES NAUGHTON

December 2 /

THURSDAY 5:45-6:45PM greenwichmag.com stamfordmag.com

WILNER JOSEPH

Best Friend to Children

ORG A N I Z AT I O N: YO U N G AT H L E T E S 4 CH ANG E

I N S P I R A T I O N

H O P E S

Words of Praise

“Wilner Joseph’s record of advocacy in our community is inspiring. His dedication to reaching the youth of Stamford by meeting them at their own level on the basketball court through Young Athletes 4 Change has undoubtedly changed many young lives for the better. On behalf of our city, I would like to offer him our sincerest gratitude and congratulations on this honor.”

D R E A M S

“First, I hope to bring peace, love and unity to the community,” says Joseph. He dreams of opening a community center, where his program can grow, with life-skills workshops, therapy for kids in need and free activities. “I dream of finding someone who believes in my mission and will fund this dream,” he says. “I’ve planted a seed here and dream of growing nationally, even globally, to help other kids. I’d love to see Young Athletes 4 Change in every city, every country!” »

—STAMFORD MAYOR, DAVID MARTIN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

AWA R D S

Wilner with campers Aniya Gyambibi, Olivia Lorthe (center) and Christian Gyambibi

F I R E

A C T I O N

I N T O

Through Young Athletes 4 Change, Joseph has created events that spur conversations “about issues youth are dealing with in our communities: mental health, gun violence. These are team-building, and these are conversations that need to be had. The prevalence of social media and social media bullying is fueling violence,” Joseph says. “My brother was killed, and that made me an advocate for addressing gun violence and mental health issues that lead to violence.” In 2017, shortly after losing his brother, Joseph set up the Million Dollar Smile initiative—a line of clothing in honor of his brother Max. Funds from sales support raising awareness about gun violence with the message: “When we wear Million Dollar Smile, we represent resilience. We aim to sustain a community of young positive change makers worldwide. “We hold rallies and speeches in different communities,” Joseph says. “I’m proud to have gained attention from the mayor [of Stamford], who honored my brother and gave him his own day: May 20th is officially Max Day in Stamford, Connecticut, now. There is a big mural of my brother in Stillwater. Getting that day and the mural—I consider those two of my huge accomplishments. And seeing other kids I’ve mentored who come back and say, ‘Hey you saved my life.’ You may not save everyone; but if you save one, it’s a domino effect, because they may save the next one.”

L I G H T

C O U R A G E

2 0 2 1

“I founded Young Athletes 4 Change to give kids in the inner-city opportunities I didn’t have when I was growing up,” says Stamford’s Wilner Joseph. “It’s about more than basketball; it’s about having a mentor and a program that offers life skills and the possibility of being a leader. Sports is what saved my life, keeping me out of trouble and connecting me to so many people: Black, White, all different communities. Those relationships were all built on our common love for the game. Sports brought that diversity to my life.” Joseph adds, “I’m inspired by seeing the impact I have on the youth I serve—guiding them in the right direction, seeing the happiness on their faces, giving them hope. Some kids come into the program with no hope and no direction. We try to provide the resources to give them a better situation.”

Words of Praise

“Rob really cares about connecting Band Central’s performances to a fundamental understanding of a nonprofit’s mission and always takes the extra step to get to know the organization and its work in a way that just feels more personal. During the pandemic, Band Central supported the Center for Family Justice in a variety of meaningful and impactful ways under the most extraordinary of circumstances.” —DEBRA A. GREENWOOD, PRESIDENT & CEO, CENTER FOR FAMILY JUSTICE

I N S P I R A T I O N “After decades of performing at nightclubs and festivals, I had the opportunity to perform alongside Meryl Streep and Paul Newman to preserve Connecticut farmland, which ignited a vision to play ‘music with purpose,’” says Rob Fried, who was in his mid-forties and “felt a need to contribute to the well-being and growth of the planet and people in it.” Combining decades of business and investment experience as a founder of the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates with his musical passion, Fried united nonprofits, musicians, donors and audience members to support local causes through themed concerts. “Band Central was born to create fundraising events that connect giving with joy and entertainment,” explains Fried. “We call it Fun-lanthropy.”

C O U R A G E

I N T O

A C T I O N

“We have helped raise approximately $4.5 million since our inception, produced more than 125 events and worked with over sixty different Connecticut nonprofits,” says Fried, who founded his organization in 2006 as “Band Together” and changed the name to Band Central three years ago. “We initiate the process by providing a grant to a nonprofit partner from the Band Central Fund, a donor-advised fund at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Next, the team of Audrey Nefores (director of communications), Paola Murphy (director of operations) and Andy Kadison (producer) work with me to support the nonprofit to market the event, engaging their existing donors and attracting new ones.” Band Central Radio on WPKN 89.5 FM spreads the word to the community, and Band Central draws from its network of 100-plus musicians to produce a Concert with a Cause. “It’s about many talents coming together with a sense of purpose to raise awareness and funds,” says Fried.

ROB FRIED Supporter of Nonprofits

O R G A N I Z AT I O N S : A N N ’ S P L AC E • C A R D I N A L S H E H A N C E N T E R • C E N T E R FO R FA M I LY J U ST I C E • C H I L D R E N ’ S L E A R N I N G C E N T E R S O F FA I R F I E L D CO U N T Y • C L AS P • CO M M O N G R O U N D • CO N N E C T I C U T I N ST I T U T E FO R R E F U G E E S A N D I M M I G R A N TS • C R E AT I V E CO N N E C T I O N S • M A R I T I M E AQ UA R I U M O F N O RWA L K • M I S S I O N /C T C H A L L E N G E • N E W CANAAN MOUNTED TROOP • NORMA PFRIEM B R E AST C E N T E R • O P E R AT I O N H O P E • SAV E T H E C H I L D R E N • ST E R L I N G H O U S E CO M M U N I T Y CENTER • TEAM WOOFGANG & COMPANY • WPKN

H O P E S

D R E A M S

“The social problems we face are complex, and change is difficult,” says Fried. “It requires collaboration with government. Instead of pushing through with fierce ambition, we take the Law of Attraction approach. We view ourselves as a big heart coming at people, using music to share joy so that others can enjoy their lives, feel meaning and be useful to others. At the end of the day, the people we think about are the clients of the nonprofits we work with, the people who really need a helping hand. To have a vibrant Connecticut we need to have more equality of opportunities so that different types of people can thrive.” Fried adds, “We aim to create a little more heaven here on earth so everyone transcends and moves up what we call the Maslow triangle to self-actualization.”

stamfordmag.com

CHRISTINE LAI Best Friend to Families

O R G A N I Z AT I O N S : S . E . L . F. • A B I L I S • N E X T FO R AU T I S M • CO LU M B I A U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S A LU M N I R E L AT I O N S CO M M I T T E E FO R FA I R F I E L D CO U N T Y • G R E E N W I C H CO U N T RY DAY S C H O O L • W I N STO N P R E PA R ATO RY S C H O O L

I N S P I R A T I O N

H O P E S

“Christine Lai is a passionate advocate and defender for the rights of the neurodivergent community. Her focus of ensuring children with learning challenges receive the best education possible is evidenced by her stellar leadership of the Special Education Legal Fund. Her passion is infections and her strength, charisma, tenacity and compassion translate into results for the community she serves.”

D R E A M S

“My dream for S.E.L.F. is that at some point in the future we won’t be needed, that all students will receive the education that is appropriate for them without intervention, and that all families will be able to advocate independently and successfully for their children in the special education system,” says Lai. “My dream for special education is for greater understanding of the vital role that it plays in the long-term functioning of society. A student who graduates from high school without being able to read, due to an undiagnosed or improperly supported learning disability, may have difficulty finding employment and holding a job, which could long-term have an impact on their ability to be a productive member of society.” »

—LUIS GUZMAN, DIRECTOR OF THE IMMIGRANT SUPPORT FUND, FAIRFIELD COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

AWA R D S

Words of Praise

F I R E

A C T I O N

I N T O

Lai formed S.E.L.F. in 2018 and partnered with Ulrika Drinkall, another Greenwich mom of a child with special needs. “We gathered a group of parents together based on this idea that the special education system works for families with resources, because they can afford the expertise that brings pressure to bear in order to get things done,” explains Lai. “We knew there were families slipping through the cracks. If you are a family who can’t afford an outside evaluation, or an advocate or an attorney in the most extreme cases, what do you do, and where do you turn?” Those families can now turn to S.E.L.F., which has provided $430,000 in grants since 2018 to families in thirty-nine school districts, ten counties and three states. “Our families are all different—some students have autism, some have dyslexia, some have mental health challenges,” says Lai, “but broadly speaking, they are all falling through the cracks, and we are grateful to provide them with a safety net.”

L I G H T

C O U R A G E

2 0 2 1

“When my oldest son entered public school about ten years ago, we really struggled to get the school and the district to recognize his disability and the impact it had on his learning,” explains Christine Lai, founder of Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.). “Many parents struggle in the special education system due to its complexity as well as the difficulties they are experiencing while this is going on—maybe the teacher is calling you every day; maybe you are balancing appointments with multiple doctors, therapists and diagnosticians; maybe your child is coming home every day in tears. Our struggle with our school lasted about twenty months from start to finish. I remember thinking at the time, what do other families do if they don’t have the time, energy and resources to fight this fight for their children? That struggle, ultimately, formed the basis of the idea that became S.E.L.F.”

MATTHEW JORDAN Teen Volunteer

ORG A N I Z AT I ON S : K I DS I N C R I S I S • STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE LEAGUE OF BOYS

I N S P I R A T I O N “It’s difficult to read a news article or watch a current events video without being exposed to the harsh realities of our world,” says Westport’s Matthew Jordan, a devoted volunteer at Kids in Crisis (KIC). “So many children are left without the support they need. Some parents don’t have the necessary resources. Some parents get sick, pass away or endure life-changing events that make caring for children near impossible. I am inspired by the tremendous fortune of having a family and the support that allowed me to have a well-rounded childhood. The question ‘why me?’ motivates my action to help others who may not have the same opportunities.”

C O U R A G E

I N T O

A C T I O N

Despite the challenges of functioning virtually, Jordan stayed engaged and active as a volunteer for Kids in Crisis during the pandemic, recruited his Staples High School classmates to join KIC’s Youth Corps and made an impact with an array of initiatives. “Social media may be the most effective method of reaching not only adolescents, but the general public,” says Jordan. “With this in mind, KIC made a special social media campaign for National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The KIC Youth Corps is a group of teens with the mission to make KIC social media and youth targeted events more effective. Our corps suggested enhancements to KIC’s social media presence that over time increase our community’s awareness of the issues affecting children and families. Another project, the Winter Season Scavenger Hunt, promoted local business, family bonding, and KIC services.”

H O P E S

D R E A M S

“My ultimate ambition for Kids in Crisis is to increase awareness among all who could benefit from our services,” says Jordan. “It’s troubling to know that many others could be helped, if they only knew where to find us. The majority of kids at Staples High School don’t know we have a KIC Teen Talk counselor—and, yet, she’s still busy. The pandemic and its negative effects on mental health have intensified the need for KIC’s services. The social media campaigns help to increase awareness, but a brand and reputation like Make-A-Wish—of which my grandfather was on the national board—could see KIC’s impact grow exponentially.”

Words of Praise

“Matthew has been a crucial part of our teen volunteer program, Youth Corps. Although they were virtual, he has attended all Youth Corps meetings and always offers meaningful contributions to our conversation. Matthew has been a huge help in organizing our Child Abuse Prevention campaign during the month of April. He worked hard in finding statistics and facts, and he also helped coordinate the best and most effective way to share these statistics through social media. Matthew also participated in our virtual scavenger hunt event, where he raised awareness of Kids in Crisis and helped raise funds for our organization. Matthew requested to continue volunteering throughout the summer, as he is passionate about the Kids in Crisis’ mission and the safety of all children.” —MELISSA BASILE-REOLON, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND EDUCATION COORDINATOR, KIDS IN CRISIS

stamfordmag.com

JULIE SCHLAFMAN

Grassroots Leader

ORG A N I Z AT I O NS : R E D WAG O N G R O U P • B A L L S A N D C L E ATS FO R E R I T R E A

H O P E S

Julie with her children Haley, Jack, Lily and Riley

Words of Praise

“Through her volunteer work with the School House Apartments, Julie organized a parade of donations for necessities during Covid, bringing residents toilet paper, paper towels, even rolls of quarters to do their laundry. Through the Red Wagon Group and New Canaan Moms, Julie has spearheaded so many community projects. For the last holiday season, she collected donations for the School House residents yet again to bring them joy by giving them ‘Twelve Days of Christmas.’ Julie never stops; she even partnered with one resident to help him gather old family recipes and get his own cookbook edited and published.”

D R E A M S

“We will continue to find ways we can help support the residents at the School House Apartments,” says Schlafman. “I hope the Red Wagon Group continues to foster relationships and that the community as a whole keeps School House Apartments on their radar.” She adds, “We hope to annually collect for the Eritrean Community. We dream of going over there and meeting the soccer coaches and children who benefited from our efforts. Maybe this will inspire my children to create their own nonprofit one day!” »

—MARIANNE BACHELDOR, TEACHING ASSISTANT, NEW CANAAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

AWA R D S

A C T I O N

F I R E

I N T O

Barely into grade school, Schlafman’s daughters spearheaded a food drive for School House apartments, a New Canaan retirement community. They gathered the goods in their red wagon and, thus, in 2016, Red Wagon Girls was formed. They went on to orchestrate a flower activity for residents and a trick-or-treating event that was such a sweet hit it became a yearly treat for residents and kids alike. And soon their annual red wagon food drives grew in girls and wagons. In third grade, the entire class participated. “Girls” became “Group,” as boys joined in. The Schlafmans drew the community together during the pandemic to provide necessities and encouraging messages for School House residents. “My dream is to have people who pass the apartments on their walk to town stop by and say hello and know that they were a part of keeping that wonderful group of residents in high spirits,” says Schlafman. After her girls read I Will Always Write Back, Schlafman expanded the family’s altruistic reach. “I wanted to teach them there is more out there in the world than just New Canaan,” explains Schlafman. “My soccer coach from Cornell is from Eritrea, Africa, and hoped to create a nonprofit to bring soccer balls and cleats to Africa. We thought we could help.” Soon, over eighty balls, 130 pairs of cleats, uniforms/jerseys and money raised through the “Schlafman Sweet Stand” were on their way to Africa.

C O U R A G E

L I G H T

“I believe it takes a village to accomplish great things,” says Julie Schlafman, a New Canaan mom of four. “I think what inspires me to give back and do community service is my children. Giving back is a value we hold in our family. Teaching them what it takes to be a part of a community and watching them thrive from volunteering inspires me to do more. By volunteering, you learn very quickly not only how appreciative others are but what a gift it is to give.”

2 0 2 1

I N S P I R A T I O N

GRACE LOCKHART DJURANOVIC Committee Member

O R G A N I Z AT I O N S : G R E E N W I C H U N I T E D WAY • B R U C E M U S E U M • G R E E N W I C H AC A D E M Y • P I TC H YO U R P E E R S

I N S P I R A T I O N “From a young age, I remember my parents and grandparents always setting a wonderful example with their dedication to service,” says Grace Lockhart Djuranovic. “I grew up watching them volunteer, and my parents [Cricket and Jim Lockhart] are still very active in the Greenwich community. This legacy of giving back instilled values that motivate me to give back every day.” Djuranovic also credits Greenwich Academy. “Community service was an integral part of my education,” she says. “Professionally, in my previous job managing sponsorships for an international bank, I worked with nonprofits all over the country. This was not only inspiring, but also educational, as I’m able to bring what I’ve learned to my volunteer work locally,” she says.

C O U R A G E

I N T O

A C T I O N

“Cochairing the Bruce Museum Night at the Museum Family Fundraiser seeded the idea for the Bruce Contemporaries, as we wanted to engage more families with young children and also young professionals,” says Djuranovic. Launched in 2018, Contemporaries now has 100 members and offers special events monthly. Djuranovic recently cochaired the museum’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Bruce Gala, which netted over $500,000. “The Greenwich United Way has also been a special organization to my family, as my mother was a cofounder of Sole Sisters, the GUW women’s initiative with the mission of ‘Women Stepping Up to Help Others Step Forward,’” explains Djuranovic. Djuranovic cochaired that event in 2018 and 2019. As a GUW board member, she has served on the Grants Committee and now is vice chair of Board Affairs and chair of the Nominating Committee. Djuranovic is also a member of Greenwich Academy’s Alumnae Association Board and supports Pitch Your Peers, a local, female-only, grant-funding organization.

H O P E S

Words of Praise

“A truly great nonprofit board member requires a strong character, an unwavering commitment to the cause, the gift of time and a willingness to use personal and professional resources to advance the organization’s mission. Grace leverages all these, and more, for the Greenwich United Way. Grace’s boundless energy and leadership has helped us assist our most vulnerable in myriad ways. From our grants to organizations to our own Direct Impact programs, Grace’s expert input, thoughtfulness and kindness exemplify what a valuable board member she is to us.”

D R E A M S

“I feel very lucky to call Greenwich my hometown, which is why I’ve focused my efforts locally,” says Djuranovic. “My hope is that these organizations keep providing the excellent services and programs that improve the lives of so many on a daily basis. I see the Greenwich United Way continuing to lead the way in addressing local human services needs, especially with essential programs like the Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions Program. I hope Bruce Contemporaries continues to grow as the museum grows. The New Bruce will completely transform the museum, and I am looking forward to seeing how it impacts the local art community and the town of Greenwich.”

—DAVID RABIN, PRESIDENT & CEO GREENWICH UNITED WAY

stamfordmag.com

ANDY BERMAN & SHERRY JONAS Impactful Duo

I N T O

buoying participation and sponsorship. In total, PAC has now raised almost $1 million. “We’ve sent almost 300 kids to camp,” says Jonas. “That is a gift to every person who participates or donates money, not to mention the families who get to watch their children blossom and forget about their illness, at least for a moment in time. Hole in the Wall Gang serves more than 20,000 children a year. It’s not just the camp; they also do outreach and take camp activities to hospitals and communities.”

A C T I O N

“Really, all I did was serve as a bridge between my friends who work for the city, the police, friends in the military, other trainers and coaches— and it just grew,” says Berman. It outgrew his gym, then the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, and finally landed at the Staples High School gym. “It’s for all ages and all fitness levels. No one is responsible for a certain amount of push-ups. Kids in remission, former campers, come and speak and do push-ups. That really resonates with the kids—that they can do anything. That message is so incredibly important.” “The only thing bigger than Andy’s biceps is his heart,” comments Jonas. “He does a remarkable job bullying people into participating. He has always had an incredible presence in the community.” Jonas brought her Columbia MBA and business experience to the table as Berman’s “taskmaster,”

H O P E S

D R E A M S

“I hope that more people focus on what they can do in their own community as a team and worry less about negatives,” says Berman. “We’ve proven in Westport that a small town is capable of so much. I hope to start PACs in other towns. The best thing in life is giving back. I wake up every morning looking forward to teaming up with good people to do great things.” Jonas reiterates, “I hope that PAC continues to grow as a community event but also that we roll this model out to communities around the country.” »

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

AWA R DS

—JUSTIN FARRANDS, PEER-TO-PEER COORDINATOR, THE HOLE IN THE WALL GANG CAMP

FIRE

C O U R A G E

“It has been my pleasure to work with these dedicated individuals and help them grow this event from an annual twenty– participant/$10,000 fundraiser to nearly 400 participants and $250,000 raised in one year.”

Words of Praise

When Andy Berman opened his gym, Fitness Factory, in Westport in 2009, he wanted to do something for a good cause. “I’m a huge fan of Paul Newman. I learned about Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and I felt 100 percent that’s what I want to support,” says Berman. “I thought back on my childhood and going to camp and having such a great time, and I got a lump in my throat. For these kids, it’s the one time they can just be kids.” The camp enables seriously ill children to go to camp, with suitable medical support and adapted activities, at no cost. Berman created a pushup-athon, Push Against Cancer, twelve years ago, to support the cause. In 2017, Sherry Jonas, inspired by her fiftieth birthday falling on the same day as the event she always attended, joined his team. Jonas says: “There is a Jewish concept, tikkun olam, which means ‘repairing the world.’ For as long as I can remember I felt that tikkun olam is my spirituality, my religion. I try to give back and make the world a better place one person at a time, one event at a time.”

LIGHT

I N S P I R A T I O N

2021

ORG A N I Z AT I O N: A N DY B E R M A N : P U S H AG A I N ST C A N C E R • C ATC H A L I F T F U N D • M Y T E A M T R I U M P H • N O R M A P H R I E M B R E AST C E N T E R S H E R RY J O N AS : P U S H AG A I N ST C A N C E R • K AT E R E A R D O N M E M O R I A L S C H O L A R S H I P ( FO U N D E R )

BRUNSWICK SCHOOL Community Good Neighbor

O R G A N I Z AT I O N S : G E M S • G R E E N W I C H H O S P I TA L • H O R I ZO N S • G R E E N W I C H P U B L I C S C H O O L S • G R E E N W I C H YO U T H AT H L E T I C P R O G R A M S

Brunswick’s other campus in Western Greenwich is hosting two ambulances, while GEMS builds a facility nearby. “I bet the preschool kids think it’s very exciting,” says Philip. Brunswick also allocates two full buildings and its pool to the Brunswick Horizons enrichment program, which runs through the summer and on six Saturdays during the year. It is free for public school boys in need. “We are in our sixth or seventh year of offering the program,” says Philip. “We are now serving 130 boys. Our Horizons faculty work with public school administrators to identify kids they are concerned about. And it’s not just the kids. The families are involved as well. We weren’t able to run it in 2020 during Covid, but it was back this summer with masks.” Philip adds, “These programs are critical for the community, but they are also really good for us. A bunch of our boys and faculty volunteer. You get as much out of giving as receiving. We have a dynamic community service program, and all students are required to participate. It’s been part of our tradition for as long as we’ve been around.”

H O P E S

D R E A M S

“My hope is that when needs arise, we will be there. We are lucky to be able to help,” emphasizes Philip. “Our current priority is making Brunswick more accessible through scholarships—to first-responder families and hospital workers, for example. We want those people who are working hard for the town to be able to live nearby and send their children to the school they would like. We are very cognizant in admissions of accepting local students. We very much want to be a Greenwich school for Greenwich citizens.”

Words of Praise

“Greenwich Hospital was so fortunate to have such a great partner in Brunswick School for Covid vaccinations. They collaborated with us on every aspect to ensure that our community was able to get in and out of the school safely and quickly without interfering with their day-to-day operations of running a school. The process couldn’t have gone more smoothly. We recognize this was a significant challenge, one they took on for the greater good.”

I N S P I R A T I O N “We benefit so much from what the town of Greenwich provides, how can we not give back?” says Head of Brunswick School Tom Philip. “You can’t be a part of the community unless you are prepared to give back. We wouldn’t be the school we are without Greenwich.”

C O U R A G E

I N T O

A C T I O N

When the pandemic hit, Brunswick School stepped up and offered its parking lot to Greenwich Hospital, in case it was needed for patient overflow. “We also opened up one of our gyms to the hospital to set up a Covid vaccine clinic,” says Philip. “They were incredible and so efficient. They’ve vaccinated 40,000 people since January.” The school also set up a food bank for first responders.

—DIANE KELLY, PRESIDENT, GREENWICH HOSPITAL

greenwichmag.com stamfordmag.com

MELISSA SHAPIRO

Empathy Advocate

ORG A N I Z AT I O N: P I G L E T I N T E R N AT I O N A L , I N C .

I N S P I R A T I O N

A C T I O N

H O P E S

AWA R D S Words of Praise

“Like Piglet, Dr. Shapiro is one in a million. A compassionate vet, Melissa has chosen to use her work with rescue animals to teach the importance of empathy and overcoming challenges. The Piglet Mindset inspires children to show compassion to each other, but equally important, to show kindness to themselves.”

D R E A M S

“In order to expand and grow my educational program, I hope to build a supportive board of directors, attract corporate sponsors and increase our individual donor base,” says Shapiro. “I plan to add an advisory panel of educators, create more educational materials and reach school systems across the globe. We hope to bring Piglet’s message of positivity, inclusion, empathy and kindness to more people all around the world. When children are kind to animals, they are more likely to be kind to each other.” »

—EILEEN BARTELS, VET CLIENT

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 STAMFORD

F I R E

The pack: Dean, Gina, Zoey, Evie, Piglet and Annie

I N T O

“Once we formally adopted Piglet, I created Piglet’s mission, which included educating about and advocating for rescued animals, particularly those with disabilities,” says Shapiro, who set up a nonprofit, Piglet International, in 2019. Piglet’s story resonated with kids with challenges, too, and Shapiro created the Piglet Mindset program and Piglet’s Inclusion Pack as a teaching model for acceptance, inclusion, empathy and kindness. “I shared Piglet’s story with media companies like The Dodo, which supported our platform by creating and circulating videos and articles. The initial Dodo video was viewed over 13 million times around the world. It was our first genuinely ‘viral’ experience with Piggy.” Shapiro also began selling Piglet merchandise to fundraise for dog rescue groups and partnered with an online T-shirt company when worldwide demand skyrocketed. “To date, we have raised just shy of $100,000 from T-shirt sales alone,” says Shapiro. She collaborated with a third-grade teacher to create lesson plans on PigletMindset.org and Melissa and Piglet make virtual and in-person visits with students and teachers. Piglet’s social media platforms—“Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy,” on Facebook and @pinkpigletpuppy on Instagram—have over 450,000 followers, and Melissa released the book Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family in August. A children’s book is in the pipeline for 2022.

L I G H T

C O U R A G E

2 0 2 1

“As a veterinarian, I’ve been involved in dog rescue for a very long time,” says Westport’s Melissa Shapiro. “Our family has fostered a number of dogs and birds and helped them find their forever homes. So when I learned about a tiny, deaf and blind, one-pound puppy, I figured that fostering would be a helpful, temporary commitment. I was curious about what it would be like to care for and connect with such a profoundly disabled dog.” It wasn’t easy. “The puppy completely turned our house upside-down with his anxious screaming,” explains Shapiro. “We weren’t prepared for the amount of time and energy we had to devote to the little guy; but as we held him, provided him with a routine, and taught him tap signals, he started to settle down.” Two months later, Melissa realized she couldn’t let him go. “To justify adding a seventh dog to our household, I promised myself Piglet would have a productive, meaningful life,” she says.

ALAN MILLER

Community Advocate O R G A N I Z AT I O N : M U S E U M O F DA R I E N

I N S P I R A T I O N “I’ve always liked history,” says Alan Miller. “About three years ago, I became a member of the Museum of Darien and started learning more about the history of Darien and all the fascinating people from here and incredible things that happened here. Soon after, I retired from my job as an engineer and sent my last kid off to college. I realized I had time to do the volunteering I’d put off for many years.” Darien’s bicentennial was approaching in 2020, making it perfect timing for the Sikorsky aircraft engineer to dig deeper into the town’s history and make some history at the same time. Initial meetings led to the creation of the Darien 2020 Bicentennial Committee, and Miller agreed to lead it. “It’s completely different from what I was doing in my career,” says Miller, “and such a treat and educational experience for me.”

C O U R A G E

I N T O

A C T I O N

Miller, who has been chairman of the Museum of Darien’s Board of Directors since its creation in 2019, launched into a multipronged plan for the celebration of the town’s 200th birthday. Soon the Bicentennial Committee grew to more than twenty-five members and volunteers. Little did they know, the pandemic would turn a one-year commitment into three. “In spite of all the challenges, I’m proud that we haven’t scaled back or canceled any events. Some just have been postponed,” explains Miller. In January of 2020, an opening ceremony was held at the Town Hall, with 400 people in attendance and CBS correspondent Scott Pelley hosting. The Weed Beach Festival couldn’t happen until last June, but by then, 400 people were more than ready to enjoy the band Exit Ramp, a whale boat and a catered picnic from Giovanni’s. “A week later, we celebrated Anniversary Day in partnership with Daughters of the Revolution,” says Miller. At press time, the Bicentennial Committee was holding auditions for the reenactments of the Revolutionary War raids on the Middlesex Meeting House and Mather homestead. For a time capsule project, items “have been collected from people in town and from every school. The time capsule will be held for fifty years at Museum of Darien and then revealed,” explains Miller. The Darien Heritage Trail, funded by a $35,000 grant from the Darien Foundation, is also underway and will feature an audio accompaniment. In addition to the grant, Miller and his committee raised $50,000 in donations for their events. “We are also selling Bicentennial merchandise—hats, tees, ornaments,” says Miller.

H O P E S

really close to home. Once you learn about the Revolutionary battles, you realize it was really a civil war here. I hope we continue to have great events informing people about what our forefathers sacrificed so that we could have this great place to live. I hope people volunteer and, with all the chaos in the world, realize how fortunate we are to live in this part of it.” G

Words of Praise

“I doubt that anyone except a designer of helicopters could have managed this multifaceted bicentennial effort as successfully. Luckily Al has the organizational capacity to handle lots of plates in the air at once. He’s done a tremendous job keeping everyone on task and focused.”

D R E A M S

“We tend to emphasize major historical figures and battles when learning about our past,” notes Miller. “Often what is forgotten is what happened

—ROBERT J. PASCAL, PRESIDENT, MUSEUM OF DARIEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

stamfordmag.com

TUNE IN ON

Thursday, December 2, 5:45 p.m.

Photos by Kyle Norton

Join us as we honor the extraordinary work of our community heroes! The inspiring virtual event will feature a touching awards ceremony hosted by actor James Naughton with speeches from all of our honorees. Visit ilovefc.com/lightafire to register Gold Sponsor

Donations at the time of registration will benefit Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Become a Sponsor For more information & participant opportunities please contact Gabriella at 203.571.1626 • Gabriella.Mays@moffly.com

Scan here for information

CHANGING TIDES SoundWaters embarks on new Harbor Center, reflecting decades of protecting Long Island Sound

by joey macari

Stamford's new Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center will offer youth and education services as well as research among its initiatives.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 STAMFORD

above: The view from the water of the proposed center, now under construction

hen we think of Connecticut’s landscape, gratitude isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind. Bustling, maybe. Pretty, sure. But gratitude tends to fit more in our personal lexicon than it does the coterie consciousness. For SoundWaters (soundwaters.org), an environmental and maritime organization based in Stamford, gratitude is the foundation for all things past, present and future. Long Island Sound is Connecticut’s biggest and most vital natural resource—having a critical role in the state’s economy and, subsequently, its preservation—and the organization has safeguarded this treasure since 1989. Now, with a generous donation from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation of Stamford, SoundWaters is expanding its mission further. In the coming year, SoundWaters will set sail on its new Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center in the newly revitalized Boccuzzi Park. The organization, a nonprofit, will be able to expand its youth and educational services as well as its research and community-involvement initiatives within its three distinct programs: Young Mariners, Harbor Corps and Research Intensive. “At SoundWaters, we believe that our community is stronger when we are

above: The Holly House education center located at Cove Island Park left: SoundWaters President Leigh Shemitz below: The teaching schooner

stamfordmag.com

connected to, and learning from, the Sound,” says President Leigh Shemitz. “Complementing our existing Coastal Education Center and schooner, the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center in Boccuzzi Park will enable the next generation to develop life skills, job skills and college skills through study and training on Long Island Sound.” That helps us all.

YOU CAN HELP! Each person makes a difference—read on for SoundWaters’s suggestions for adopting environmental-friendly habits.

RENDERINGS COURTESY OF SOUNDWATERS; PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE BAGLEY; COVE ISLAND BY DIANE SEMBROT

The Launch

SoundWaters formed its green-collar roots in a time of dire necessity. In the 1990s Long Island Sound was facing extreme degradation caused by industrial waste and resource mismanagement, among other contributing factors. Len Miller, SoundWaters founder, read about the crisis in The Advocate and took this as a call to action—action in the form of expedition. He and a group of friends purchased an eighteenth-century Chesapeake Bay Sharpie schooner and converted the vessel into a floating classroom, which sailed from Stamford to Bridgeport and as far as Greenport, New York, and back. By the 2000s, Miller and his associates had expanded its environmental education outreach to include land-based teaching centers hosting more than 32,000 students annually at the historic Holly House landmark in Cove Island Park, as well as by schooner by 2016. With the expansion of classrooms, aquariums and lab spaces, SoundWaters was able to add a summertime camp and after-school and vacation programs to reach even more students year-round. Using its progressive approach to environmental science as the foreground for its success, SoundWaters has been able to stay afloat with assistance from federal funding, scholarship advancements and community-outreach programs. With this support, SoundWaters was able to reach underserved individuals who had interest in learning but could not afford to pay for it. Alongside the merger with the Young Mariners Foundation—an academic and lifeskills group reaching low-income and at-risk students through after-school enrichment and sailing programs—SoundWaters formed

Minimize the spread of pollutants to Long Island Sound: Keep litter and waste out of gutters and storm drains, because they drain directly to the Sound. Apply fertilizers and pesticides sparingly, and not before it rains. Dispose of household chemicals properly and clean up spills. If your house has a septic system, make sure it is inspected annually to prevent damaging leaks. Prevent dangerous microplastics: Drink from reusable water bottles instead of singleuse plastic bottles. Disposed of improperly, plastic degrades into microplastics, which are a tremendous threat to the health of Long Island Sound and its inhabitants.

top to bottom: SoundWaters education programs include hands-on learning on land and on the water.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

Protect rivers and streams: The Long Island Sound watershed includes interconnected waterways, large and small, that extend all the way to the Canadian border. Protecting our upland rivers and streams will help protect Long Island Sound.

Young Mariners STEM Academy. Each summer it hosts more than 100 students, grades 6 through 9, engaging in activities such as navigation, marine biology and climatology while encouraging teamwork, leadership and community skills.

By 2022 the new Harbor Center will serve as a culmination of nearly three decades of environmental beneficence. The dream for this 12,100-square-foot building, and accompanying beach restoration and waterfront access, becomes a reality due in large part to a generous grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. It has provided nearly $625 million toward helping nonprofits in various sectors, including the

When I started volunteering with SoundWaters, my goal was to pursue a career in medicine. But after years of after-school programs and summer camps, I’ve discovered a surprising love for children and teaching. Now, as I finish my environmental science degree, my focus has shifted from a career in research and policy to an educational approach. I’ve discovered that there is joy and importance in teaching kids about sustainability and the environment. I’ve realized that widespread access to environmentalscience education is imperative for our future generations and truly believe that organizations like SoundWaters could be key factors in achieving this.

above: SoundWaters schooner above, far right: Naomi Solares, alumni and staff member below: Dan Brown and Yasmine Amezzane practice their sailing skills.

NAOMI SOLARES Stamford resident and senior at UConn Stamford

stamfordmag.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE BAGLEY

On the Horizon

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SOUNDWATERS

above: Alexandra Cohen, whose generous donation made the new center possible

arts, underserved communities, children’s healthcare, education and disease research since 2001. Fulfilling their mission of “inspired giving,” President Alexandra Cohen says benefiting SoundWaters is no exception. “SoundWaters has been a vital organization in our community, educating our young people and inspiring them to protect Long Island Sound,” she says. “We hope the new Harbor Center will allow SoundWaters to expand and deepen the impact they have, changing lives today and preserving our resources for the future. The next generation will hold a lot of responsibility in caring for our environment, and we are excited to be partnering with SoundWaters on their efforts.” With the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the ever-more vocal calls about the implications of global climate change,

SoundWaters has been a vital organization in our community, educating our young people and inspiring them to protect Long Island Sound. Alexandra Cohen President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

SoundWaters champions the belief that “living in a healthy community is a basic human right.” For that reason, it campaigns not only for environmental justice for our ecosystems, but also for the environmental equity and amenity for everyone. In other words, without access to green spaces, clean waters and non-polluted air, the conversation about environmentalism hits a dead end. Environmental focus also precipitates job infrastructure, educational opportunities and egalitarian beliefs that extend to future generations. The organization remains committed to teaching students how the environment impacts all of us and to growing and learning itself. With SoundWaters’ continued commitment to protect, educate about, advocate for and share our local waters, Stamford’s role is also made clear.

P H OT O C O N T E S T

An Eye on the Sound SOUNDWATERS Annual Photo Contest Winners

derstanding the mission of SoundWaters, and even having an eye on its future, is one thing. But how to capture the passion of the work they do and hope to inspire within the community? That’s about feeling connected, which is one of the greatest powers of photography. So the organization hosted a photo contest with the theme “Long Island Sound: It Makes Me Happy,” with submissions entered between Memorial Day and Labor Day. “The photographers in this contest felt the connection,” says Bob Mazzone, vice president of development. “Whether it was a beautiful natural scene or people and their pets, their pictures illustrate what SoundWaters believes, that our community is stronger when we are connected to, and learning from, Long Island Sound.” The competition selected winners in four categories, and we at Stamford Magazine are pleased to share the shots.

by diane sembrot

Winner: Best in Show Sail Watch by Frances Isaac

Winner: People’s Choice Doggie Paddle by Jill Newman

Winner: Adult Unbeatable Sunsets by Lisa Schneider

Winner: Youth Sunset on the Road to the Sound by Owen Benison stamfordmag.com

APRIL 5 – 23, 2022

AUG 23 – SEP 10, 2022

NEXT TO NORMAL

4000 MILES

The 2009 Tony Award®-winning hit musical and winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Two unlikely roommates — 21-year-old Leo and his feisty 91-year-old grandmother Vera — infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately find each other in this funny and moving play.

MUSIC BY TOM KITT BOOK AND LYRICS BY BRIAN YORKEY DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY MARCOS SANTANA

MAY 24 – JUNE 11, 2022

STRAIGHT WHITE MEN BY YOUNG JEAN LEE DIRECTED BY MARK LAMOS

BY AMY HERZOG DIRECTED BY DAVID KENNEDY

OCT 18 – NOV 5, 2022

FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA BY DR. ENDESHA IDA MAE HOLLAND

A father and his grown sons gather on Christmas Eve for pranks, Chinese takeout, and gossip. But when an impossible question threatens the festivities, they’re forced to face their own identities.

This Pulitzer Prize-nominated play about one woman’s journey out of Mississippi offers us a gripping tale of resilience and the human spirit.

JULY 5 – 23, 2022

SEASON TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE nov. 9!

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’

CONCEIVED BY RICHARD MALTBY, JR. AND MURRAY HORWITZ DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY CAMILLE A. BROWN

The Tony Award-winning musical celebration as you’ve never seen it before! From in-demand director/choreographer Camille A. Brown.

THE PLAYHOUSE

SEASON

WESTPORTPLAYHOUSE.ORG All dates, titles, and artists are subject to change.

| 203 227 4177

Welcome back to laughter, to drama, to connection, to the unexpected... Welcome back to everything you love about live theater.

GreenwichReindeerFestival.com

NOVEMBER 26–DECEMBER 24, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street, Greenwich, Mon–Sat 8:30am–6pm PHOTOS WITH SANTA (Families & Pets)

WE’RE BACK! November 26, 12pm–6pm

Monday–Friday, 12pm–6pm, Saturday, 9am–6pm Christmas Eve, 9am–3pm Closed Sundays

SANTA AND HIS REINDEER ARRIVE Please visit GreenwichReindeerFestival.com for more details

Reindeer Festival Hosted By

Presenting Sponsor

Santa’s Workshop Sponsor

Santa’s Raffle Sponsor

Reindeer Sponsors

To Benefit

Premier Media Sponsors

NURSERY & GREENHOUSES, LLC EST. 1930

Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group

Media Sponsors

Community Partner

WestchesterParent NYMetroParents.com

stamfordmag.com

Created & Produced By

TOP DOCTORS 17 15ththAnnual Annual

For For the the 17 15ththconsecutive consecutiveyear, year,Moffly MofflyMedia Media is is helping helping consumers consumers fifind nd the the right right doctor doctor by by highlighting highlighting 500+ 500+ area area practitioners practitioners in in Fairfi Fairfield eld County County on on our our annual annual Top Top Doctors Doctors list. list. Medical Medical Profi Profiles les gives gives you you the the chance chance to to put put your your practice practice in in the the spotlight. spotlight.The The section section will will provide provide information information on on your your practice practice philosophies, philosophies, background, background, and and qualifi qualifications. cations. Reach Reach an an audience audience of of 200,000+ 200,000+ discerning discerning readers readers who who expect expect the the best best of of the the best. best. 2019 | Medical PROF

ILES

First Last LALast, NAME OF

M.D.

SPECIAL ADVERT Special Advert ising Section ISING SECTION

OFFICE, LLC

SPECIALTY : Speciality

here Street, Suite 00, 203.555.1234 Town, CT dentistwebs itegoeshere. com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIO

Special Advert ising

QUESTION GOES HERE Oluptae duntur ionem ut exped ut anis eatur? quiantus Reribus ma diam si od periam rem ut cum nusam sunt. Eped re, non eosam que commodi nonsequiscim fugitatisim sum ent. Henet et et eum quatem oles qui cum nullige nduntiis dolum imil ipsapie t aperum fuga. Ihicat quo quo beaqu atur as et core, omnia adis eum tum hit officiat fuga. Atio. Volorro des vernatatis aut erovid aut mi, aut quam accae sinia serunt pratas ditate cus, sit nobis venia voluptas por laborrovid reium quisto quunt. Os et aut exceped modi usandae mod ut quiditi quasit assi ut ma volupt temqui dentem a reius, totasp erate velitia sed etus molup tatem. Gendic vendam quaec tem autem ep eligent o beribus omnihit atemp et ore dellam quam net quuntin cilliquo aut odi dus ides rerchic aeribearum rem sinctat ur re ommolupta dolorum vellent orum qui natqui et a dolupt derit as idus atiur? QUESTION GOES HERE Iquisci liatibea doluptam, cor sitibus dandita musan ite laccup ta netus non nempell uptatu re coreprovite voluptur maiores iunt ad eos net quibea tiis volorib apita volupt us, temod dolessiment a quibus, i rehendae alis modio labo. Nam et ut nseque prerum doloreius fuga. Nem erferes dolorru est eicab enimin nobis is ipiditat seque essum ipsam, conseq nt et, as modit Uciaerum est, ex earum uia apidem quis molore qui officae ex et et quam que eos . amus et que qui qui untem que re, volorru delluption odis adis quasp qui reici aditate qui officit, con core, mquia ptatustis qui eris volorru ent quunt. te preperisquas cum apedip offictore poreca dolorae QUESTION ient aut quodia nosaped minvel borrum GOES HERE erspediciunt eossi cores minim quiata dis sequi occatu Busamus borpore hendit t uriteca ab im cumqu r? QUESTION autatibus am, ut volo officium dolupt GOES HERE atur sim que laut hitatem a tenient volupt et aligendit, Busam as ratemp quidellori as aspiet us ab im cumqu sequiam, o rehenis tem cor totas quam am, ut volom voluptatur? voluptia dolore volore pellibu aces reperi Ex eat molut inctia volo magnim ea quo s. endan sandisquas quas sit quas da muscim eum ellores Molendit dolore u mosam dolupt que coresc edi quisse , tem. Lori idit facipsa lautati ostiis a quiam verume magna to to optis m eos simusd earumqui dolorehendis tem. Accab tempor reped a demolup tiaecat apit quam illoris explitiossum que cus quae aut rerum quo ommo que eatem eiuritissi aspel di blacilit quassi tiassum ilitae quo dolupt ipid que venim niaspe odipit, atus con rerrovi vel excear n aut la estrum ition eos estiisti t voluption quis si ut earcia coreseque nonemol loremo umet voluptate loriae vendu sanis quatur sim volut magni s , tem fuga. et Itaese dolorro emquae asi incitat asinim sam quam, od ulpa alitio.

Adam J. Free Firs Last man, DDS DDS, tHann , M.D Firs, Stanley P. First Lastah Ahn,., DDS t Last, M.DFreeman, and , M.D., Firs , Brian ., Alison Kudi Duch sh, DMDt Last, S. M.D ., an, DMD

WESTPORT NAME OF DENT E,AL PEDIATRICOFFIC LLC ASSOCIATE DENTISTRY SPECIALTY S AND 329 Riversi : Speciality here de Avenue Street,

Suite rt, CT 00, Town, CT 203.55 203.227.3709 5.1234 dentis westpotwebs rtdenta itegoe l.comshere.com Westpo

Section

Medical PROF ILES |

QUES PEDIA TION TRIC GOES DENT HERE ISTRY @ WEST Olupta vendam quaec e duntur PORT DENT Hospit al. She isep eligent ut AL ASSOCIATEionem also a faculty exped o beribuer memb quiant S hitatem s etatomnih oral health Colum BEEN aligend a growing us utHAS anis eatur? itbia atemp in the care.it,Speak quidellori Reribu Pediatric ore dellam ma part Dentis ing tem to local quam diamofsiWestp Dentals Assoc cor presch sequiaools, Depart od ut ort As a Diplom nettryaut m, totas quunti ment. iates since periam Dr. Ahn n cilliquo quam makes rem cum ate of the We have aces 2012. every effort reperi Americ creatednusam Board ofodi dus ides sunt. to increas magni a unique Eped Pediatric rerchic an awareness quo m aeribearum enviro que Dentistry, re, non quas sit quas nment of the import ea e Dr. Ahn’s rem sinctat eosam where mosam ance goal the entire early dental ur comm familyodi is to provid re ommolupta can health. dolupta of nonse except que coresc receive e quiscim ional and doloru the best Pediatricidit facipsam treatment msional profes fugitat vellentorum Dentistry dental isim availab simusd care while @ eos qui natqui Westport a dolore tailored tosum ent.le, each keepin Dentalhendis derit experi g as the Henet etan idus apit Assoc individ etence quam iates is a dolupt a true quae friendl et eum ual’s specific needs familyy and positiv atiur? aut She believe oriente rerum quatemoles . Dr. Hanna e. eatem d practic que e. QUES By startin that a lifetime is a board qui cum TIONs GOES h Ahn healthy quog dolupt your certifie nullige of child’s HERE d pediatric atus con ndunti dental care early Iquisci , bright smiles starts dentisist.dolum rerrovi with Her vision imil ipsapie an earlyliatibea t doluptam, at Ahn and age and of creatin t g maiore contin volupturDr. aperum a pleasa cor sitibus encourages fuga. that care stiis nt and voloribuing parent Ihicat dandita musan educa us, temod s to start into quotional adulthood quo pediatric their childre i rehend beaqu iten’s with the laccupta atur dental dental ae doless as home except care netus iment labo. providers at the forcore, non ional children of et adis eum the nempe age at WestpNam omnia of one. ll uptatu The re tum hitour community, ort Dental doctor fuga. AssocNem corepr officiat s of while mainta iates,iswe ournet ovite fuga. practic ipiditat take pride ining the Atio. Volorro are confid quibea e erferes iunt that you and ad eosinapita highes our ability dolorru degree of des vernat nt et, your family ent compr sterilization atis autt voluptto offer erovid will experi as modit qui quibusehensi ve dental a techniquam officae , et ut alis ques and aut mi, aut care by staying quience lifetime cuttingaccae currenmodio exceptionalquis amolore nseque sinia of -edge techno prerumenimin serunt t with the logy,pratas untem qui and trustw qui chang is now es sit nobis reici and ditate availab orthy dental care. seque aditate ent the entire cus, nobis le for dental essum est, development veniafamily. qui s in officit, quunt. volupt medic exine, earum Dr. Ahn graduaas por reium andque laborro providing care eos vid in amus ted a QUES quisto moder from et quen,odis “WeTION Columbia quunt. Firs state-o are excite Hant nah GOES adisf-theart facility LastAhn HERE d to Os et autUniversity Colleg quasp , M.D be at our All the dentist newBusam eris. volorru Dental , DDS locatio . Medicexcep ed modi e of n ab us the ptatustis s in at 329 ine and im cumqu uther Riversam, quiditi qui office have been compl Avenu ide usand ut pediat voloe, where we voted by ae mod quasiteted theirofficto PEDIAOF ric specia officium NAME peersretoporeca TRIC borrum offer dolupt lty training fusion assi DENT OFFIC at Colum be among a a nosaped minvel ut mabia E, ISTRY WESTPORT volupt betwe volupt LLC @ top en extrao tenient Univer dentists in minim st the a temqu aspiet sity Medic rdinary designasand dentem DENTAL i as SPEC Center the field, reius, al quiata ASSO IALTY /New totasper views ratemp Dr. and York Ahnt uriteca CIATE : Speci atePresby of the o rehen velitia sed continuously S borpore hendit Saugais ality here etus molupta terian volup tuck strives to tia while Street, tem. Gendic River, be autatib dolore volo an advoc 329 Riversi Suitede us atur tem autem implementing 00,Avenue ate Town,, CT sim of que childre volor 203.55 et n’s Westport, laut 203.63 5.1234 pellibcutting 5.7070 technoe CT logy.”-Dr.us. -edge dentis pediatr twebs Hannah Ahn WE ARE icdenti itegoe stryofw shere. PROUD THAT estport com.com OUR

OFFICE DESI

GN HAS

BEEN NATI

ONALLY

RECOGNIZ

JULY/AUGUST

RATES RATES

GREENWICH ALL TOWNS NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

DISCOUNTS STAMFORD WESTPORT FAIRFIELD LIVING

IMPORTANT DATES IMPORTANT DATES

2019

QUES QUESTION FOUNTION GOESHERE DED GOES HERE Olupta IN 1963, Olupta autem vendavenda eeduntur WEST duntur m quaec ionem m quaec ionemututexped PORT ep eligent odontologists ep o DENT quiant exped eligent AL us beribuos beribu ASSO ut anis worldw quiant CIATE et omnih us ide. He is s et atemp ut anisReribu the immed S eatur? CONT eatur?s ma it iate pastit omnih its INUE Reribu atemp diams si vision dellam S the ore presideore to ma od mainta quam dellam ut periam diam nt Americ netquam in si aodpractic aut quunti rem cum an Board where ut net nof nusam e periam aut patient cilliquo of Forens quunti sunt. Odont s are que rem Eped n cilliquo odi cum ic part of its ology, dus nusam extended and ides odi non dusof rerchic a Master eosam family, receivi re,sunt. Eped que ides Acade aeribe comm rerchic the my arum re,odi of aeribe nonnonseng exceptional Genera rem sinctat arum quiscim sinctat l Dentis remtry. care in eosam fugitat ur comm isim reDr. Stanle a cutting ommo odi sum ur re edge y Freem nonse ommo lupta ent. facility. quiscim anmisdoloru doloru lupta Throug alumnus of an m h fugitat vellent Henet continu vellent educat McGill isim orum etsum ing He orumqui etstate-o ion and University. eum quinatqui ent.quatemoles natqui received his derit deritas qui f-the-art techniq idus cum as idusetetaadolupt postgraduate Henet nullige ues et etequipm and doluptatiur? training eum ent, atiur? in prosth we ndunti continu quatem odontics at QUES is dolum QUESTION allyqui oles New challen TION imil York GOES cum GOES ipsapie ge t Univer ourselves HERE sity HERE aperum Schoo ndunti dolum to improv nullige Iquisci Iquiscitry. Dentis l of liatibea equo liatibea Ihicat the Dr. care andisfuga. dolupt imil Freem dolupt ipsapie anam, experiences quot am, beaqu founded the aperum fuga. cor practic corsitibus sitibusedandit of our as etIhicat patientatur in 1963. adis quo dandit s. Our musanite core, practice,eum quo Dr. Brian Duchaaamusan omnia beaqu laccup ite tum laccup which has aturly ta netus hitasofficiat recent n,nempe netusnon et adisfuga. anempe University relocat of Pennstaylvania non ed eum Atio. to core, uptatu omnia Riversi Volorro uptaturerecorepr alumnus, llll tum de des Avenue hit coreprovite the practic officiat vernat joined , encom atis fuga. net e afterovite netquibea aut all passes erovid areas quibea Atio. iunt comple quam of dentist ad Volorro adeos aiunt tion of aut genera eos apita desmi, ry, apitavolupt includi vernat l practic aut cosme accae atisng aa e volupt sinia tic residen aut quibus erovid dentist serunt quibus 1977. cy in quam , ,etet pratas He autry,mi, isutut prosthodonti sitbleach a alis alismodio past ditateing, modio preside nsequ cus, prerum nobis nsequ cs, endodaut accae the sinia venia nt ofee Conne prerum seruntvolupt enimin ontics, cticut enimin oral surger pratas nobis assitpor Stateseque nobis y, Invisali Dental reium Associ seque laborro cus, essum nobis vid gn ditate essumation orthod venia and quisto est, est, foundi ex volupt ontics, quunt. ex earum ngeos earumque member of implanas board que ts por andreium amus laborro Os ontics, period eos et quethe Connecticut etvid autquisto excep odis Foundamus all in quunt. ed modi que adis the ation et odis quasp most uput to-date adis eris quiditi for Dental volorru quasp Osusand dental et Outreach. ptatus autaeexcep eris facility Dr. Alison moded volorru tis quiptatus in modi quasit the area. officto Kudish Dr. assi poreca ututma Adam tisre ,a quiditi Univer volupt ofqui officto borrum Conne usand aFreem sity temqu re poreca cticut nosap aean a 1992 gradua i is mod dentem alumnu ed borrum reius, s, minvel te of Colum quasit assi totasp the minim joined practic quiata ma volupt nosap erate bia Univerut t uriteca ede after velitia a temqu comple sed He is one of a genera minve dentemsity. tion l borpor i etus hendit reius,tatem. totasperate of fewer than molup l practiceminim e autatib 100 board Gendic velitia tem residen at the Massa us atur etus molupta sed sim quecy certifie tem. Gendicd forensic chusetts Genera tem autem et laut al Hospit hitatem l and Harvar alige ndit,sity. d Univer

FULL FULL 3,615

2017 WESTP ORT

HALF QUARTER HALF QUARTER 2,635

1,410

2,795 2,115

1,495 1,130

2 titles: 10% 2,320 3,615 3 titles: 15% 3,105 4 titles: 20% 2,115

1,325

3,795 3,105

2,395

111

Justo hendr erit Fusce Adipiscing ? tincidunt, quam erat sollicitudin lobortis erat risus nisl, facilisis neque erat ris adipiscing in quam. tincidunt, quam erat ris

1,130

1,540

995

2-titles: 10%; 3-titles: 15%; 4-titles: 20%; 5-titles: 25%

Issue Date Issue Date On Newsstands Top Doctors AdSection Close Commitment Section Material Due On Newsstands TopSection Doctors st January/February 2020 January 1 November 19, 2020 January/February 2022 January 7 November 19, 2021November 26, 2020

awards

new venue, same fabulous night! SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR 2021 SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSORS

AWARD SPONSOR

GIFT BAG SPONSOR

JEWELRY SPONSOR

VENUE SPONSOR

G reenw ich Histo rica l So ciety Presents

WINTER MARKET & HOLIDAY FESTIVAL r be m ce e &4 D

2, 3 0 2 1 2

WINTER MARKET CHRIST CHURCH, 254 E. PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH Find something for everyone on your list at our thoughtfully curated holiday market with 35 vendors offering the finest in Holiday Gifts, Jewelry, Clothing, Specialty Foods, Flowers and items made to be enjoyed with family & friends. A portion of all proceeds to support the Historical Society’s programs in education, the arts and historic preservation. Thursday December 2 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Opening Night Cocktail Reception

Friday, December 3 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Jewelry Appraisals by Doyle

Saturday, December 4 9:30-a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

FESTIVAL OF TREES GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY December 2, 3, 4 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Our third annual Festival of Tabletop Trees celebrates the talents of local retailers, organizations, and designers who help us make our homes festive sanctuaries during the holiday season. View, purchase or bid on a tree via on-site silent auction.

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY December 3, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. On Friday evening, the Greenwich Historical Society’s Cos Cob campus will come alive for the holidays, with activities for all ages. Enjoy holiday crafts and gingerbread decorating, a special visit from Santa, and Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk as he brings Charles Dickens’ immortal tale to life using a treasure trove of characters in an intimate, imaginative and inspire blend of theater and storytelling. The historic Bush Holley House, decorated in grand holiday style, will be open for our annual candlelight tours. Sweet treats, refreshments and holiday cheer on tap! Family and individual tickets available at greenwichhistory.org.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

greenwichhistory.org

203.254.4010

John Pizzarelli Big Band

QuickCenter.com

SUNday, JAN. 30, 2022 | 3 p.m.

World-renowned guitarist and singer, John Pizzarelli,

live events return 2022

has established himself as a prime contemporary interpreter of the Great American Songbook and beyond. He’s joined by his big band to fill the Quick with songs that will have your toes tapping and your heart feeling full.

The best is yet to come!

Cameron Carpenter

The Quick is excited to announce that we are back and in-person in January 2022. Tickets go on sale to Quick Members Monday, November 29. General Public

The best is yet to come!

FRIday, MAR. 11, 2022 | 7 p.m.

Sales start December 13. Acclaimed speakers, dance, music, theatre, circus, The Met: Live in HD, and more are

Cameron Carpenter is the

just around the corner. Learn more at

world’s most visible organist,

Quickcenter.com.

DIVA POWER

the first ever to be nominated for a GRAMMY Award for a solo album. In this unique and intimate concert experience, Cameron will perform on the Saugatuck Congregational Church organ – and will once again prove why he’s described as “The Maverick Organist” by The New York Times.

advertisers index

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE

Non-profit 501 (C) (3)

BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT California Closets �� 7 BUSINESS, FINANCE & LEGAL Cummings & Lockwood-Stamford �� 8 Davidson, Dawson & Clark, LLP ��59 ENTERTAINMENT Curtain Call Theater �� 19

FREE WINE TASTING & ART EXHIBIT BEFORE EACH SHOW!

Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts................................................ 86 Ridgefield Playhouse.......................................................................................87

11/9

Westport Country Playhouse.......................................................................... 81 EVENTS A-List Awards ��84 Fallen Patriots................................................................................................... 51 Greenwich Historical Society..........................................................................85 Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo / TMK Sports & Entertainment ��82 Light a Fire........................................................................................................ 73 Make a Wish Foundation..................................................................................82

1/30

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING Mackenzie's Bar & Grill �� 6 Taco Daddy �� 9 The Lila Rose �� 11 The Village........................................................................................................ 12 Winvian Farm �� 3 HEALTH, HOSPITALS & BEAUTY

3/10

Hospital for Special Surgery �� 15 JEWELRY Betteridge Jewelers �� Cover 4 Lux Bond & Green �� Cover 2, 1 Manfredi �� 5 NONPROFIT Domestic Violence Crisis Center................................................................... 39

4/24

MISCELLANEOUS Bob Capazzo...................................................................................................... 8 Drew Klotz........................................................................................................59 Flowcode ��26 Nathaniel Witherell ��39 Westy Self Storage ��39 REAL ESTATE & SENIOR LIVING EPOCH Senior Living �� Cover 3

203.438.5795 • RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG

LCB Senior Living ��17

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 STAMFORD

postscript

JAN/FEB 2022 / DONNA MOFFLY

One turkey I knew would never end up on a platter. His name was Harley.

t’s the holiday season and time to talk turkey. Of course, there are all kinds of turkeys. Some people are real turkeys; we all know a few. Then there are the wild turkeys that the pilgrims counted on. I’ve run into some of those, too. Run into, that is, not over. One year, five Ideliquat volorae nim eicid quiae reptibusae. Erspernat erio. Ihillorior molores perem dolorest, officiis sanis doleces equiae laborat emolore henitiost de qui optis sequia dentia etur aborum rehent am am, veliqui utem con est, etur, torentecto dolupta quiatquatio. Isi con nulpa quid et volorum everro moloriosto quunt minullescit as cone quatiosam re rerchiciat fugit as andam, cus dolessi nullorum eosaepu digentus qui totatio nsecabo. Quaspicae dendio et quuntiissint ent, il id qui venemperit, qui delendit re aci corum, non reperfe riaepre sectet utatia voluptam quiam harcid molorpos apid maximus, ad exped mi, cum ad militatur ab istiscient ipsa sant ratatio. Omnis sintibus estione explis aut omnisimus ma doluptatate ditatquiam faccum ea non etureror sae expliqui in plique velessi quidige niatur audant abo. Ximusa essitate modit que nonsequi ducipsa placiis eosamet, eos sum aborepudani aci nonseni hictius parum is dolorit aditatur ab ipsam utestia andigendit por senim quae offictu saerspi ctenien ietusa pelenestrunt hillectusdae sam, offic tecestiundis ducidipsae vit est prerum facienihit qui vit, culliatis consecus pla num et aut eos doluptatur aperspedi tem de non niant perferi ossimpos enest haria dolore consequ idelendam repelligenim aut abo. Bea id quodite doloreperi nonsequat autectiatio comnis exerro officip iendit fugia vollatem sed molupit eate ipsant, quam estium rehendipic tempelitatem etur? Quiae ius mil ipsaper uptatem dolupta musamendam nam, tem sum volupiet re re, quam, toresti ssitios restiorro cusam volorei citatur, alictur? Ut qui acero stamfordmag.com

dolupti niscidest pel ea non re maxim delenti ntoratur, nihita ipsunt es rent ad mo beri ius, num alita simpores sanihil laborepta a vellor re, ullorem quiae culliquam facea qui conet res eicia volore dust eos sequias ma esciet porpore pra ea ideliqui res aut atur, omnisse magnihil ipita vendeli sinctem porepti isciam autaesseres doles nossum sequas essequia ne esequi delisci musdam essimporum voluptia ent lab ipid quaepellest, volut ute lacerunto es sintur rem nonsed quid ea quas is maxim earum veraestotae. Nis am nihil ipsapel erioreritas auda vendae volorer rovita dolor sae que et alis apis magnihi llendan ditatusam fugit voluptatio volorit, tem quos intorum eum hiliquidem nemodit idus deliatem doluptiis sendandunt. Uda arci officiissi corestorem reperum explicium fuga. Em ent fugiate mporruptam aliquid ellibus tinturia ipsust, untiis eum sequae ditium natur aborro eicatur? Sum excepudae. Nam quia volupid quis vidi untibus aut dit etur aut ommodipsum ium in eatia quis molorporpos cus. Ga. Itasperum laborec estist acea core vent quidipis re erumque sed utem eaturiam fuga. Omnis magnimi nctiatia illut voloraecae eaquia qui volores torit, voluptiur si officimos si veria dre, similig nisinverum siminum quia voluptam, atem der xcv nxcv nxbc vnbxc vnbxc vnbx vnbx cvnbx cvnxbc vnxbc vnxbc vnxbc vnxbc vnxcbv nxbc vnxcb vnxcb vnxb vnxb vnxb vnxb vnxbc vnxb cvnxcb vnxcv xcnvbxc vnxbc vnxcbv xncv xncbv xncbv xncbv xncbv xncbv nxcbv nxb cvnxbc vnxcvxcnb vnxcvnxbcv nxcvb xcnvbx cvnxbc vnxcbv fere volest dis molupti nullentet endelit elecum facilibus, eatiantint doles

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

O XCBVN XVB XCVMNXCV N

RAISING SENIOR LIVING TO A

HIGHER LEVEL

OPENING EARLY 2022 Waterstone on High Ridge takes senior living to new levels of elegance, engagement and care. Explore a luxury rental community where you won’t just live. You’ll thrive. Here, you won’t just come home. You’ll arrive. Now this is home. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care by Bridges®

WaterstoneLivingStamford.com | 203.208.3313 WELCOME CENTER | 30 Buxton Farm Road, Suite 120 | Stamford 215 High Ridge Road | Stamford