Westport - Sept/Oct 2021 by Moffly Media

// PLUS: INSTAGRAM HITS / EMILY ROSNICK / ZAC MATHIAS / PIGLET //

TOP DENTISTS SMILE! New guide to the pros you can trust

YOUR STYLE

FALL FASHION THE NEW LOOKS, FROM BOLD COLOR TO COZY KNITS SEPT/OCT 2021 $5.95

MAKING FILMS, FLYING PLANES, DIVING WITH SHARKS…

10 TEENS

YOUNG AND ALREADY LIVING TRUE TO THEMSELVES

METEOROLOGIST

ROB MARCIANO KEEPING UP WITH NEW ENGLAND'S EVERCHANGING WEATHER

Kitt Shapiro

Owner of the local fashion boutique WEST

VENETIAN PRINCESS COLLECTION

contents SEPT/OCT 2021 vol. 23 | issue 5

features

departments

Rob Marcino, meteorologist, facing Mother Nature’s worst

TEENS TO WATCH Need a boost of inspiration? Check out how these amazing local teens are making the most of each day. by dia ne se mb rot

10 EDITOR’S LETTER

by diane talbot sembrot

13 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ Makeup artist Emily Rosnick; influencer Zac Mathias; Life Lyne; fitness trainer Tony Molina of MPR Fitness; Lyfebulb; social media darling Piglet; Yup Pup dog treats; Alzheimer’s research SHOP Stylish home finds

FALL FASHION

by m e g a n g agnon

DO Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater GO Relaxing in the Keys; Ocean House luxury and book picks by Emily Liebert; Whaler’s Inn in Mystic

Makeup artist Emily Rosnick

ROB MARCIANO

50 MONEY MATTERS

Paying for college

The weather is one topic we all talk about—but we need this meterologist to keep the info accurate and helpful.

111 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 112 POSTSCRIPT by d onna mof f ly

by brig i t t e q u in n

m e ’s a t h o I N A L I STS TF D A- L I S E V E A L Eook for R kb os

TOP DENTISTS Smile, because we have the new list of dentists that you can turn to for regular care or an emergency.

r c gn p r bla You e desi hom g. 94

on the c over | kit t shapiro, owner of west | photo gr aphy by jerri gr aham Get the Look Kitt Shapiro, on cover, is wearing a Minnie Rose cashmere cable cardigan in flannel ($326) and cashmere blankie wrap in wheat ($297), both available at WEST. WESTPORT SEPT/OCT 2021, VOL. 23, NO 5. WESTPORT (USPS/ISSN 1941-9821) is published bi-monthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to WESTPORT PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. Subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign $44/1 year, $72/2 years. westportmag.com

MARCIANO, CONTRIBUTED; ROSNICK BY JERRI GRAHAM

“What to wear? As events start up again and offices open at least part-time, getting dressed is tough. Here’s your fall guide.

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sept/oct 2021

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JUMP ONLINE

EXPERTISE YOU WANT. CARE YOU DESERVE. At Stamford Health, expert care means more than being in the hands of talented, compassionate medical professionals. It means that for every part of your patient journey, you and your family can be assured that we’re providing you with a comprehensive, highly advanced approach to care.

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editor’s letter

SEPT/OCT 2021 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT

JUST SHARING I

HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP

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back to work for all of us. Summer is quickly coming to close, and, looking back, I have to say that it was a needed break. I enjoyed seeing new shops open and people strolling downtown. I like having the tables along Church Lane filled with locals enjoying a bite to eat. I loved being at Longshore and hearing that beautiful ping of a golf ball being hit in the sweet spot and soaring straight to the green (at least sometimes). I took way too many photos of people kayaking, jetskiing, sailing with vibrant sails, rowing and motorboating. But how could I help myself? It was beautiful. As a town we enjoyed our parks and music at The Levitt Pavilion. We watched the kids play at Compo and chase fireflies at dusk. We took in a deep breath of life here, and there’s nothing better than that. With fall near, we will bundle up and await the refreshing crispness as temperatures begin to drop. Luckily, this gives us the perfect reason to pick up a few new stylish finds for our closets. We have a feature in this issue about fall fashion and what to expect in stores. One local stop is WEST, which is owned by the always fashionable and approachable Kitt Shapiro (see cover). I think part of her charm is that she enjoys what she wears; she’s pulled together, stylish and authentically her. It’s not magic as much as the forgotten fun of pulling together an outfit. And we all had better look good, because we never know when a shot of us will end up on social media, right?

diane.sembrot@moffly.com

WILLIAM TAUFIC

SCAN TO VISIT US

am absolutely thrilled that I was not a teenager with social media. I cannot image what it is like to have images and comments and constant updates all while trying to figure “me” out. I’m also glad I didn’t come of age during a pandemic. I went to prom, had the tassel on my graduation cap moved from one side to the other, and scribbled I can only image what in friends’ yearbooks. Not so for all teens now. But just look at what they have managed to do! They have grown into this new world. Inside this issue we introduce you to ten local teenagers who are navigating the obstacles of high school during Covid like a stream over rocks: finding a way over, under and around to make progress toward the destination. These are the teens for this year’s edition of “Ten Teens to Watch.” As individuals and as a group, they show me that being a teenager today can be wonderful. They communicate and connect with one another like never before. Plus, their access to knowledge is instant and far-reaching— unlimited. The pandemic upended everything, but these teens seemed to right themselves and return to the surface naturally. They showed remarkable resiliency. For example, one started a volunteer-run tutoring program for children who needed academic support during the disruption to school days. Others continued exploring their focused interests. Two of the teens, for example, are drawn to the sea— one to serve boaters and to fish, the other to understand and protect sharks. This feature is inspiring, no matter your age. The fall issue always has a way of falling into step with the school year—it feels like getting

1 9 1 0

from our hands to yours

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shop 1 // CRATE & BARREL Acacia wood and gold measuring cups; $24.95 for set of 4. Westport; crateandbarrel.com

15 NEW FINDS

recipe for style

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MIX DESIGNER APPLIANCES WITH FABULOUS FINISHING TOUCHES by megan gagnon

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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11 // STONE FOREST Polished granite farmhouse sink; $3,180. stoneforest.com

12 // NESPRESSO Lattissima One espresso machine; $379.95. bloomingdales.com

13 // LA CORNUE Château 150 range in Quintessential Teal; $52,300. lacornuecollective.com

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14 // KOHLER Tone pull-down singlehandle semi-professional kitchen sink faucet; $797.50. Westport, us.kohler.com

IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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MANNA TOAST @mannatoast | mannatoast.com | 203-557-8300

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

do above and right, top: View of the new amphitheater for live concerts and more right, bottom: Worker transforming the old ballpark

Next-Level Concerts

The brand new HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPHITHEATER by carol leonet ti dannhauser

he former Bluefish baseball stadium in Bridgeport is rocking a $25 million makeover, replete with Gehryesque flying steel masts around a big-top torch. It’s home of the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater now, an outdoor music venue with 5,700 seats, local food and drink, and enough luxury to lure boaters back to shore by showtime. A tensile membrane roof made of fiberglass and Teflon stretches across the site, protecting 92 percent of concert-goers—as well as 23-foot-high video boards and a state-ofthe-art German sound system—from the elements. Marble lines bathroom walls and

sinks, live orchids ring restroom entrances, French glass from St. Gobain shimmers under lights imported from Milan. “It’s an architectural marvel,” says Attorney Howard Saffan, of Weston, the amphitheater’s developer, builder and operator. Eight years ago, during one of their monthly lunches, Saffan and veteran concert-promoter Jim Koplik, of Stamford, agreed that Fairfield County could really use a new amphitheater. As it happens, entertainment company Live Nation was considering constructing one in Danbury. Saffan recommended Bridgeport instead. And he knew just the place: Harbor Yard, home of the Bluefish. westportmag.com

He could see the stadium from his office next door at the Webster Bank Arena, where he was the president of the Sound Tigers minor league hockey team. The stadium had long-struggled to make a profit, and existing zoning meant that neighborhood opposition was unlikely. Plus, the location was perfect for a concert venue: an easy walk from the train station, a minute from I-95, a quick stroll to the Port Jefferson ferry, and close to food and drink in the Park City. Many meetings with city groups, shipping delays, and a pandemic later, the pair’s vision was finally realized. More than two dozen concerts, including New Canaan crooner Harry Connick Jr. to rapper Rod Wave to Grammy-winning rockers Greta Van Fleet, will take place from opening through October. In between, the amphitheater hosts cider fests, beer fests and more. The amphitheater opens three hours prior to showtime, giving fans plenty of time to eat, drink and gather. Local fare, including pizza from Pepe’s, barbecue from Hoodoo Brown, seafood from Knot Norm’s, ice cream from Timothy’s, and craft beer from Two Roads and Blue Point, fills concession stands. Ten bartenders work the granite-wrapped dugouts on the concert floor. Concierges pour Dom Perignon in the luxury suites. Carving stations line the Harbor Club. “Everything is catered to knowing who our clientele is,” Saffan says. “People in Fairfield County want quality and service, whether that’s food, service, the band or the venue.” Bands get the star treatment at the amphitheater, too, with their own personal chef (Eric Fellito, of Tasty Yolk and The Chelsea fame), six dressing rooms, massage rooms, a s’mores bar at the outdoor fireplace, video and pinball room and more. Even the roadies get TLC. Saffan and Koplik added gleaming showers and washers and dryers for the road crew, as well as prime parking out back with water and power for eight tour buses. Talent, crew and operating staff can all eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together, served by a custom kitchen. The goal, says Saffan, is to make everybody happy to come back next time.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL HOAGLAND

by carol leonet ti dannhauser

Providing peace of mind to the local community for 50 years.

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The annual Push Against Cancer raises funds for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded by Paul Newman in 1988 to provide "a different kind of healing" to seriously ill children and their families. Date Sunday, October 3, 2021 Location Staples High School, 70 North Ave.,Westport, CT Girls’ Field Hockey & Lacrosse Field Details

Please JOIN US as we help kids battling chronic illnesses like cancer, HIV and sickle cell to enjoy amazing summer camp and other joy-filled, camp-inspired experiences!

9:00 am - Opening ceremonies 9:30 am - Push Ups begin 10:30 am - Event concludes

TO REGISTER & DONATE scan the below QR Code

make an impact SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

Relaxation is the Key

DREAMING OF A CARIBBEAN GETAWAY? WHITE SAND BETWEEN YOUR TOES AND TROPICAL COCKTAILS JUST A FLICK OF YOUR BEACH-LOUNGER FLAG AWAY? BUT DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH

CROWDS, AND PASSPORTS AND PCR TESTS? WE HEAR YOU AND OFFER UP PLAYA LARGO RESORT AND SPA by kim-marie evans

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GETTING THERE

The Florida Keys are made up of 1,700 coral isles that curl from the south Florida peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico. Key Largo is the first island on the arrow-thin Overseas Highway. It’s also the largest. Hop a flight to Miami, rent a car, and it’s a short one-hour drive to Key Largo. As cheesy T-shirt shops and tacky roadside bars float

past your window, you might think we are leading you astray with promises of Caribbean luxury. Turning into Playa Largo Resort and Spa from Highway One is like finding a vintage Chanel bag at Goodwill. Sorry Florida, you know we’re right on this one. “The Keys” often get lumped together and painted with a singular Jimmy Buffet brush.

SCCOTT BAKER PHOTOGRAPHY

Whether you're a sand-and-surf kind of vacationer or a poolside fixture, Playa Largo has you covered.

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GREENWICH

* S t a r t i n gf a r e sf o rao n e wa yt i c k e t .F o rE l i t eA i r wa y sfl i g h t s , t h efi r s tc h e c k e db a ga n dc a r r y o nwi l l b ef r e e , $ 5 0. 00f o ras e c o n dc h e c k e db a g , a n d $ 7 5 . 00f o r t h et h i r dc h e c k e db a gp e r p e r s o n . E a c hc h e c k e db a gwe i g h i n gb e t we e n5 1a n d7 0p o u n d swi l l b ea s s e s s e daf e eo f $ 2 5i na d d i t i o nt ot h e c h e c k e db a gf e e . E a c hc h e c k e db a gwe i g h i n gb e t we e n7 1a n d1 00p o u n d swi l l b ea s s e s s e daf e eo f $ 1 00. A l l f a r e sa r eq u o t e di nU. S . Do l l a r s( $ US D) u n l e s so t h e r wi s es p e c i fi e d . * * E x c e p te me r g e n c ye x i ts e a t i n g . V i s i tE l i t e A i r wa y s . c o mf o rmo r ed e t a i l so no u rs t a n d a r db a g g a g es e r v i c ef e es c h e d u l e . Da t e so f t h ea d v e r t i s e dfl i g h t sa r es u b j e c t t oc h a n g ei na c c o r d a n c ewi t hr e g u l a t o r yr e q u i r e me n t s . S e et h eT S Awe b s i t ef o r al i s t o f p r o h i b i t e di t e ms .

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

THE RESORT

Stretched over fourteen acres of pristine white sand on the shores of the Florida Bay, Playa Largo has resorts within the resort. For honeymooners or couples who just really like each other, there are The Hammocks. The cheerily painted bungalows are hidden from the hustle of the main resort in the shade of literal Florida Hammocks (trees). Each of the ten cottages features

a master bedroom encompassing the entire second floor, lookout decks, full kitchens, living rooms and secluded back porches. The hotel has 177 rooms decorated in a contemporary style and blessedly free of kitschy oceanfront décor, and outfitted with $400 illy coffee makers. For the ultimate retreat or destination wedding, there’s The Beach House. It is on the far end of the resort beach and has a private

pool overlooking the ocean, wrap-around deck, private beach and event lawn. With three bedrooms, endless lanai seating and hammocks strung from the branches of the waterfront sea grape trees, it’s no wonder The Beach House is already booked every weekend for the next year. Hotel room rates start at $400 per night. The Hammocks at $900 per night. The Beach House $3,500 per night. If you want to bring

the entire family or your entourage, book one of the brand-new Ocean Residences by Playa Largo. These luxury homes are across the street on the Atlantic side of the island (that’s how narrow Key Largo is), offering both privacy and full service. (Note: You can’t walk from the homes to the resort, but it’s only a two-minute drive.) Each of the five homes feature private balconies, soaking tubs in sprawling master suites, full indoor and

westportmag.com

outdoor kitchens. Guests of the Ocean Residences have exclusive access to the oceanfront pool, all resort amenities and the clubhouse located at the tip of the community at the watersports pier. The clubhouse offers lockers, showers and a full lounge— making it easy to enjoy beach activities from kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing,

parasailing and more without needing to drive back “home” to shower and change. Every stay includes a picnic basket of breakfast goodies delivered every morning with additional options to pre-stock the fridge or invite a private chef to handle dinners. The homes sleep ten and start at $1,800 per night.

playalargoresort.com playalargooceanresidences.com

SCCOTT BAKER PHOTOGRAPHY

Sailboats at our doorstep? Yes, please.

THE BEACH The real stars of the show are the expanse of talcum white sand and warm waters. Choose from a chaise lounge shaded by the beachfront trees or one of the many pods of hammocks. The Florida Bay is a shallow lagoon that connects the Gulf of Mexico with the western side of the Keys. Grab a floatie and drift on the still water until you hear the bell that’s rung daily to warn that sunset is just thirty minutes away. Take a spot at one of the two fire pits, sip a sunset cocktail and enjoy the resort’s Eventide Celebration. The staff lights tiki torches as Caribbean drumbeats fill the air. Guests are offered cocktails and asked to write their worries/stresses on a piece of paper that’s placed on a floating buoy and set off to sea. We couldn’t find paper big enough for our worries, so we just went for the cocktail portion of the evening.

THE POOL The zero-entry pool with arched gazebo is designed for envyinducing Instagram posts. The Sand Bar services the pool and beach with food and cocktails. It’s not often that we rave about the culinary offerings of a beach bar, but the Sand Bar is exceptional. Try the gluten-free pizza that actually tastes like pizza and the watermelon salad drizzled with basalmic reduction.

CONTRIBUTED

THE SPA The largest spa in the Keys, The Ocean Spa offers a variety of treatments using locally sourced ingredients for scrubs, wraps and more. But

the most important factor in evaluating a spa, in our opinion, is the ability to enjoy a post-massage nap. So the expansive relaxation area with double-wide chaise lounges separated from other guests by whisper thin curtains had us hooked.

SETTING SAIL The highlight of a stay at Playa Largo is getting out on the water with Captain Lolly who commands the mighty Carolina Moon catamaran. Ok, it’s not all that mighty, but with Captain Lolly at the helm, it’s an amazing amount of fun. You can book day trips, sunset trips and champagne trips. The water is as warm as the south Caribbean, the champagne is cold, and Lolly is a gifted photographer who loves nothing more than to send you home with amazing memories of your time in Key Largo. Book through Caribbean Watersports under the pier at the end of the beach. caribbeanwatersports .com

EXPLORING THE REEFS Surrounded by crystal blue water and thriving reefs, Key Largo is a hot spot for diving. Here you’ll find the only living barrier reef off the continental United States. The area is also known for its remarkable wreck diving. You’ll find the world's largest artificial reef, the 510-foot USS Spiegel Grove (deliberately sunk to create a reef) and more. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was established in 1963 and is the first under-the-sea park in

the U.S. Here you can swim with the coral fish and high five the underwater 4,000pound Christ of the Deep (sometimes called Christ of the Abyss), a bronze statue by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti submerged about twenty-five feet under water. The Jesus effigy is robed and barnacled, with arms outstretched and gaze raised to the light above. Though he’s covered in dangerous fire coral, he’s been high-fived frequently enough that it’s been worn off his hands, making it safe for you to do the same. Brides have the option to feel like a mermaid with Playa Largo’s underwater weddings. Couples say “I do” amongst the shallow-water corals, shipwrecks and hidden treasures of the Keys. To anchor their love, they can sponsor the planting of a coral reef fragment that will remain and continue to grow over the years.

BEST BITES The best food in the area is at Chef Michaels in nearby Islamorada. Anyone who’s seen the moodily atmospheric Netflix series Bloodline, set around a family-run Islamorada beachfront inn, knows the territory. Chef Michaels is a roadside treasure deserving of a Michelin star. Reservations are a must. Order the lion fish cooked whole. Not only is it delectable, you’re helping to save the ocean by removing a dangerous predator. foodtotalkabout.com On your way back to the resort stop at The Islamorada Brewery & Distillery located at mile marker 82.2 with a bright yellow-andteal-colored tasting

Fly high or dive in—the choice is yours.

room. It’s the only brewery and distillery in the Florida Keys. It turns out gin, vodka and rum from one distillation pot; and as skeptical as we were, the signature rum

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holds its own against any Caribbean spirit out there. Make sure you go out back to the beer garden where you can enjoy cocktail flights in one of the Adirondack

chairs shaded by palm trees. Grab a snack from the food truck, Spanky’s Kitchen. islamoradabeerco .com G

left: Steak from Ocean House's five-star restaurant, COAST center, top: A gorgeous indoor/outdoor pool with water views center, bottom: The meticulously reconstructed waterfront resort in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, has become a beacon for luxury-seekers nationally right: Owners, Charles and Deborah Royce

THE GREAT ESCAPE

OCEAN HOUSE BRINGS TODAY'S LUXURY AND HISTORIC HOSPITALITY TO RHODE ISLAND

pened in 1868, on the heels of the Civil War, Ocean House sits on 13 acres of breathtaking oceanfront landscape overlooking a 650-foot private white-sand beach in Watch Hill Road Island. Most recognizable for its inviting butter-hued façade, it has long served as a luxurious respite for distinguished guests. After 135 years in business, the property was closed in 2003 and considered impossible to repair. Thankfully, local residents Charles Royce (a renowned mutual fund manager) and his wife, Deborah (an actress, story editor and author), stepped in to save the day, creating a replicate structure of the original exterior. Today, the new resort is one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever been, which I do not say lightly after twenty-plus years of travel writing. Everything from the attention to detail, the white-glove service and the mouth-watering cuisine to the lavish rooms, stunning grounds and the 5,000 salvageable artifacts and furnishings tenderly harvested from the primary historic interior will make your visit unforgettable.

STAY The forty-nine guestrooms and twenty signature suites, inspired by the glorious oceanfront scenery, are skillfully appointed with turn-of-the-twentieth-century décor. Custom wooden furnishings, a subdued color palette, and early New England artwork, along with plenty of high-tech touches ensure that accommodations appeal to a wide variety of tastes. I had the truly distinctive experience of staying in the Tower Suite with unrivaled views of the Atlantic, Napatree Point, Stonington and Watch Hill. Decorated by Greenwich-based designer Cindy Rinfret, the space is dressed in bright blues and gentle creams, with a nautical theme. A welcoming foyer, master suite and powder room reside on the first level. I loved the beach stone floor and a tea-for-two tub in the master bathroom! There’s also an adjoining guest room that may be reserved. On the second floor, there’s a living area with floor-toceiling fir paneling that will make you feel like you’re on a yacht at sea, in addition to a slate fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and window seats perfect for curling up with a great book. The adjoining dining area has a custom-built

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above: Ocean House has 49 large guest rooms, a collection of cottages (from two to seven bedrooms) and large suites. Here, the Tower Suite features a spiral staircase to the Crow's Nest, a den with daybed, bath and one-of-a-kind view of the Atlantic Ocean and Watch Hill from the widow's walk.

RESORT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OCEAN HOUSE, RHODE ISLAND; LIEBERT PORTRAIT BY DREAMSCAPE STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

BY EMILY LIEBERT

banquette with a roof deck, and there’s also a modern kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and granite countertops. And that’s not all! A regal wooden staircase leads up and away to the Crow’s Nest—a intimate den with a daybed and full bath. All in all, the suite encompasses 2,400 square feet, sleeps five and entertains ten to twenty. PAMPER Situated high on the bluffs of Watch Hill, looking out on the Atlantic Ocean, the 12,000-square-foot OH! Spa boasts rejuvenating treatments and products that foster indulgence and relaxation. It’s the only Forbes Five-Star spa in Rhode Island and one of fifty-six destination spas in the world to achieve the five-star rating. Begin your journey with a glass of their signature fruit-infused water in the serene waiting area before spoiling yourself with one of the many services available, including body treatments, skin care and massages. I opted for the Your Way Custom massage, which was tailored to my preferences and divinely soothing. CUISINE With Executive Chef Matt Voskuil at the helm of a supremely talented culinary team, dining options abound at Ocean House—all with elevated traditional Rhode Island flavors. Combining fresh local ingredients, superlative service, and a farm-to-table philosophy, prepare to have your taste buds tantalized. At COAST restaurant, the seasonal offerings change nightly and guests (ages eight and up) can choose from a prix-fixe four-course savory or vegetarian degustation menu with an optional cheese course. My favorites included the Maine Peekytoe Crab with persimmon, radish, sea bean and kaffir lime and the Royalton Farms Wagyu New York Strip with short rib, baby carrot, bone marrow, and buckwheat gnocchi. There’s also The Bistro, for a more casual dining experience, available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the members-only Club Room and Club Terrace, which feature traditional brasserie fare with a New England twist. I couldn’t resist the

above: The relaxation room in the Five-Star OH! Spa, which offers an extensive list of nourishing and relaxing body treatments, massages and facials.

housemade Pappardelle with lobster, truffle butter and egg yolk. But the pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the Chocolate PB & J with banana, peanut butter and raspberry for dessert. Visit Fondue Village, a unique and cozy private dining venue serving breakfast, afternoon crêpe service, and four-course lunches and dinners with Alpine delicacies and Veuve Clicquot champagnes. Each vintage ski gondola (either for up to four or six guests) has been restored and equipped with warm woods, fine Alpine textiles, chandeliers and imported Swiss and Austrian glassware and china. Whether for a romantic couple’s dinner or a gathering of friends, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. During the summer, delight in the panoramic view and calming sea breeze at one of three al fresco restaurants. Check out The Verandah for fresh-caught local seafood, Dune Cottage for a Mediterranean-style meal, and the Seaside Terrace for delicious breakfast and lunch provisions. On select Friday evenings, hit the private beach for a sunset lobster boil. EXPERIENCE Enjoy wine and culinary classes inspired by the season. Take a self-guided art tour to learn about Ocean House’s extensive collection and a historic tour of the property. Partake in classic movie screenings. Stick to your fitness

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

regimen at the state-of-the-art TechnoGym with extensive cardiovascular and strengthtraining equipment or try your hand at yoga, tai chi, body sculpt and Pilates. Dip into the heated, salt-water lap pool, set against a wall of French doors that open toward Seaside Terrace’s sun deck. Or stop into the salon for a cut and color and a scalp treatment— customized packages are available for weddings, galas or an intimate dinner with someone special.

above: The setting is ready for complete relaxation at the luxe beach cabanas, with one-of-a-kind views and gentle breezes off the water, at Ocean House.

Booked Solid What better way to fall into fall than with an FBI informant, a #childfree social media influencer, a body swap and a “haunted” house? These FOUR MUST-READS will make that transition out of summer just a little bit more fun. by emily liebert

INSTAMOM BY CHANTEL GUERTIN

THE SEVEN DAY SWITCH BY KELLY HARMS

THE THERAPIST BY B. A. PARIS

Set in post-war New York City, this historical fiction masterpiece follows Katharina Edgeworth’s journey from her job as a translator at the United Nations to her rank as an informant for the FBI. A born and bred New Yorker, Katharina’s Fifth Avenue address, party invitations to the Plaza, two sons and ideal husband make her life appear picture perfect. Yet her American dream is actually a nightmare, and she’s desperate to free herself from the limitations of domesticity. So when a man from her past becomes a high-level Soviet spy and no one can infiltrate his circle, the FBI asks Katharina to be an informant, and she jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately, as she dives deeper into her new covert existence, her loved ones begin to lose their covers and their lives, and Katharina’s secret ultimately threatens to ruin her. If you’re into fast-paced classic spy thrillers, with plenty of twists and turns, this one’s for you.

Who doesn’t love a smart, sexy, funny rom-com? From bestselling author, beauty expert and TV personality Chantel Guertin comes the story of Kit Kidding, a #childfree forever influencer whose golden rule is: Know your niche. And Kit’s brand revolves around skillfully curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life, which she wholeheartedly believes in. Enter Will MacGregor—a hot, single dad—whose parental status might just be a #dealbreaker for Kit, especially since he’s antisocial media. On the heels of their one-night stand, she vows to move on. But when Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, Kit finds it increasingly more difficult to resist both Will and his clever, eight-year-old daughter, Addie. The question is: Which life will make her truly happy? #readitandsee

Two very distinctive moms and one crazy week are the recipe for this hilarious novel from bestselling author Kelly Harms. Celeste Mason is the supermom other mothers love to hate. Everything is organic, her home is spotless, she volunteers (and wins awards for it), and she’s still able to savor a glass of wine at the end of the day. Then there’s Celeste’s neighbor Wendy Charles, a hyper-careerfocused productivity consultant, columnist and speaker who doesn’t approve of anything Celeste stands for, and she’s unapologetic about her minute-byminute work schedule, which she executes with ease. So what happens when these two polar opposites drink too much sangria at their neighborhood potluck and wake up the next day in each other’s bodies? Everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other comes into question. And they may just find out that they’re not so different after all.

From the multimillion-copy New York Times bestselling author B. A. Paris, this spellbinding tale of psychological suspense follows Alice and Leo, as they move into a freshly revamped house in The Circle, a swanky gated community in London with an interesting cast of characters. Unfortunately, not only do their neighbors hold secrets, but so does their new home. While Alice is busy making friends with her fellow residents, she discovers the shocking truth about her house and forges a strong connection with Nina, the therapist who lived there prior. Of course, Nina also happens to be the name of Alice’s beloved and deceased sister. As a result, Alice becomes infatuated with uncovering what transpired with Nina two years earlier. Only she can’t seem to get anyone to talk about it. And she soon realizes that everything is definitely not as perfect as it seems. CONTRIBUTED

A WOMAN OF INTELLIGENCE BY KARIN TANABE

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above: The inn includes The Shipwright's Daughter, headed up by Chef David Standridge. At the end of day, head up to the 1865 Queen guestroom and simply relax. below: The check-in area at the renovated escape, The Whaler's Inn, and a New England must-have, a clam roll.

The WHALER’S INN is a perfect mix of quaint chill and sophisticated luxe by georget te yac oub

he Whaler’s Inn, a historic hotel at the center of downtown Mystic, has been a site for New England hospitality for over a century. The original building housed several businesses in the early 1900s, including a Ford Model-T showroom. A renovation over the last five years, though, breathes new life into it. Now, the hotel is the perfect mix of old and new school, encapsulating the chic lifestyle of the Connecticut shoreline while still nodding to its nautical past. One thing the Whaler’s Inn has preserved well is its small-town feel. “Hospitality has become very automated. You can get your keys sent to your phone and order room service from your television,” says Amanda Arling, president. “We want this to be the opposite of that. We want everyone to feel like family and that this inn is an extension of their home.” The lobby is sundrenched and cozy, and outfitted with furniture that makes it feel more living room than lobby. Books, potted plants and coastal knickknacks line the shelves and guests lounge out front on Adirondack chairs facing the heart of downtown. The Whaler’s Inn’s greatest gem is The Shipwright’s Daughter, a restaurant that westportmag.com

opened mid-pandemic. Executive Chef David Standridge comes from a rich culinary past in New York City, earning two Michelin stars and other accolades. “He is an artist,” says Amanda. “He imagines flavor profiles in his head and makes them come to life.” His execution is impressive. Each dish is multidimensional, melding opposite flavors and textures in a way that makes eating them feel more like a journey than a meal. In one dish, crunch is met with chew, spice with cool, and salt with sweet, leaving every bite just slightly, and delightfully, different than the last. The menu is seasonal and ever changing with a heavy focus on ingredients from local waters and farms. “He doesn’t cut corners,” says Amanda. “If it’s not sourced locally or in season, you won’t find it on the menu. His commitment to that is incredible.” Less than a two-hour drive away from the busy roads and full agendas for life in Fairfield County, the Whaler’s Inn is a worthy destination for a weekend getaway. It promises the curated, heart-fueled hospitality of a small bed-and-breakfast with the luxury of sophisticated amenities and experiences, and keeps its word.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF INN BY DEBOITTIS PRODUCTIONS; FOOD BY EMILY GARDINER

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money matters

David Tuttle

o, it’s not your imagination: The cost of college has skyrocketed over the past decade, greater than inflation, higher than your raise, faster than the cost of living. At the University of Connecticut, for example, tuition is in the middle of a five-year, 23 percent rate hike. Sending Junior to Storrs costs about $18,500 per year for tuition and fees. Sending him to a private university averages about twice that, at $37,000, according to the

FIND A WAY

When paying for college seems out of reach

START SAVING EARLY TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

College Board. Tack on another $13,000 or so for room and board at either option. Covid-19 has served as a reckoning for soaring school costs, says David Tuttle, partner and portfolio manager at Crestwood Advisors in Darien. During the pandemic, as schools offered courses virtually, many families wondered, “Why can’t people just learn online? Why do you need to go to college?” Tuttle says. Schools took note. Though tuition edged up for the academic year 2020-2021, it did so at historically low levels. Still, the price tag remains out of reach for many Fairfield County families. “The profile of Fairfield County is that all the families can afford to self-pay,” Tuttle says. “The reality is that there are kids even in Darien, New Canaan and Greenwich that’s not the case for. They have a tremendous burden and pressure to follow the normal path of going to college.” His advice: Start saving early. “When kids are born, we’re encouraging parents to set up

529 plans.” Designed specifically for education, 529s let you invest in mutual funds, ETFs and the like, but your investments grow tax-free, so long as you use the proceeds for approved education expenses, such as tuition, books, room and board. Unlike many other tax-saving investments, 529s don’t come with income constraints. Connecticut’s 529 plan, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), is more attractive than ever, says Tuttle. Last December, the state selected Fidelity to administer it, lowering fees and expanding investment options. Connecticut parents can contribute up to $10,000 per year to CHET; earnings grow free of federal and state taxes. “You can contribute $50,000 today, pay your tuition tomorrow, and take $10,000 each year for five years,” he says. “I have had clients maximize the tax benefit in-state to get the maximum, and then invest outside.” If the designated beneficiary decides to forgo college, you can

transfer the account without penalty to another family member —even yourself—so long as it’s used for qualified education expenses. Families don’t need a lot of money to set up a college fund. Tuttle’s dad and grandfather each invested $500 into a Putnam Growth Fund when Tuttle was born, then started showing him the balance when he was ten years old and had his first job cutting lawns. “This money tripled in ten or twelve years, and here I was cutting lawns.” As soon as your child is eligible, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines whether you qualify for government aid. Complete it even if you won’t qualify for need-based aid. Many schools grant merit-aid, based on grades, test scores or talents in things like sports, music and the arts. The average award for undergraduates in 2019-2020 was $14,940, according to the College Board. Without completing the FAFSA, you won’t get anything.

If you will need more aid than offered, write an email of appeal to the school financial aid office, outlining factors like reduced salary at work, a lay-off, a sibling attending graduate school or a bigger package from a comparable school. Get your appeal in early, Tuttle says. When schools exhaust their aid resources, there’s not much they can do for you. Also, Tuttle advises some of Fairfield County’s wealthiest families, but he also mentors kids who live in subsidized housing in Darien. “There’s an opportunity for kids with drive to find a way to get to the finish line and pay little or nothing,” he says. “There are non-traditional paths that are a jungle gym. It requires real planning.” Attending two years of Norwalk Community College or Housatonic Community College, for example, can shave tens of thousands of dollars off of a four-year college tab. The same holds for dozens of online, accredited schools. To lower the cost even further, get a job at Chipotle, Starbucks, Walmart or any number of other employers that pay or reimburse for college, even for part-time employees.

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CONTRIBUTED

DO THE MATH

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

The Westy Guarantee… WESTY guarantees that a Customer’s rent will not be increased for two years from the Agreement date. WESTY guarantees that there will not be a registration or administration fee.

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Understanding the our times through the NEW GENERATION of engineers, researchers, pilots, coders, divers and all things AMAZING

by diane sembrot

igh school is not meant to be easy, even for the ones who succeed in the classroom, on the stage, on the field or in a club. Aside from the usual demands of AP classes, getting into a top college and helping the team win the gold, this generation of teens has to deal with, of course, the pandemic. Covid-19 upended everything, not just missed dances. Some students worked remotely. Others wore masks. It’s been new territory. That said, you wouldn’t know it to meet some of the area’s most accomplished students. They are finding ways to pursue multiple interests and deepen their understanding of a range of subjects, from AP calculus to AP lit. We asked them how they see things, what motivates them, and, most important, what they see on the horizon. What we heard is pure zeal. They may not even see how bright things look for them, but it is. Turn the page to meet the new generation of emerging leaders, thinkers and doers. Their stories will inspire all of us to do more.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

A &

Peter Francini explains Zach’s success: “He is smart, humble, caring and perseverant. One of his greatest strengths is his determination and hard-working attitude is the type of student who, once he sets his mind to something, whether it is school, sports, etc., he will work tirelessly to complete the task to the best of his ability.” Miami University in Ohio is lucky to have this Westporter, and they know it. Accepted into the Honors College, he has a full-tuition scholarship.

Zach Conn FAIRFIELD PREP

eet Zachary Conn. The recent grad signed off on his Fairfield Prep years by ranking in the top 10 percent of his class. Along with that sky-touching GPA, he was also captain of the varsity football team, which he played all four years. He was also on the lacrosse team, a sport he played throughout high school; the team went to the state championship in his senior year and finished as runner ups. For his achievements in sports, state and national levels, while maintaining his grades in a rigorous curriculum, he was recognized with scholar athlete awards. He brought his natural speed and awareness to his job as a life guard at Westport Parks and Rec. If you bet that he’s got a bright future, you’re right—he was also in the Stock Market Club. School counselor

Do you have a favorite subject? “Math has always been a favorite subject because I’m more of an analytical type of person. I prefer to crunch numbers, find patterns, calculate probabilities, and crack complex numerical problems; there is always a definitive answer. I also enjoy Spanish language and literature. Learning about another culture and being fluent in the language is a way to escape my day-to-day reality here in Westport and envision a parallel life in Barcelona, Madrid or another exciting city in Spain. I’m hoping to merge my love for numbers and culture with a study abroad experience in college— and beyond that, a career in international finance.” Where do you see yourself in ten years? “In ten years, I hope to see myself as a graduate with a business degree from Miami University, possibly even with an MBA, as an integral member of a team at an investment bank. However, I also hope to have grown more than just as a college graduate; I hope to have developed

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as a person, broadening my horizons through the experiences I have had in college and in the world.” What most impacted your plans? “The event that most impacted my college plans was my decision to join the Stock Market Club in high school. Alongside the weekly meetings spent discussing the ins and outs of the stock market and teaching members financial responsibility, the trip we took to the New York Stock Exchange was eye-opening. When standing on the floor watching brokers monitor patterns, calculate probabilities and execute trades, I felt instantly at home. I intend to major in finance and further my knowledge in this field in college.” Do you have a role model? “My parents have always served as the greatest role models in my life. They share a dedication to excellence and leadership within their careers in addition to a set of great morals— both of which they have taught me. They have both inspired me in a way that was foundational

in developing my strong character, dedication to my studies and commitment to being a leader.” What did you like about your school? “The choice to attend Prep was the most lifechanging decision I have ever made. What makes Prep so special is the shared commitment to intellectual curiosity, excellence and service that fills the halls. By placing myself within this developmental environment, I have changed more than I could’ve ever imagined.”

Quick Takes How to succeed in high school: “Stay focused and maintain a strong schedule.” Currently binge watching: “All of the Star Wars movies — it’s an annual addiction of mine.” Most want to meet: “Justin Fields, the former Buckeye quarterback, whose leadership and grit has become an inspiration to me.” My motto: “Be a ‘man for others,’ the Jesuit motto taught to me at Fairfield Prep.” Favorite local place: “Gaetano’s Deli, a friendly, Bronxstyle deli that makes the best buffalo chicken sandwich — the Badabing.”

Q A &

Carly Seigel WESTON HIGH SCHOOL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROSEMARIE STILLER

o understand Weston High School senior Carly Seigel, just look at the facts. With an outrageous GPA, which she probably calculated well before the school did, she is very good at coding. She is in the “Girls Go Cyber Start” school club and, now a senior, its president. Also, she worked with a Sacred Heart University professor on a study of social media responses to religious mass shootings; she focused on data analysis for the work, which was prepped for a conference. She also used data analysis as well as coding for her independent study project on web scraping—extracting data from websites—to study papal encyclicals over the past hundred years. After school, she even worked with an AI tech start-up. At first glance she seems all tech, but she also loves Broadway musicals and has a sense of humor. Asked what she likes about school, she mentions the burrito station, which, she adds, she “missed greatly during the pandemic.” More seriously, she praises her school for supporting students who don’t fit the mold. “Weston High School is top-rated for academics,” she says, “but it tries just as hard to create a compassionate and uplifting environment.” She certainly thrived there.

Favorite subject? “I’m a computer nerd. I’d rather be coding than just about anything else—unless it’s going to a Taylor Swift concert. I’m not a hoodie-wearing, basement-dwelling hacker type, but I do get a real sense of satisfaction when I write code that does what I want, or when I finally debug a program that’s been giving me error messages for hours. There’s something about the logic of computer programming that really appeals to my desire to make things clear and efficient. I’m not compulsive about much

else—ask my parents about the state of my bedroom—but I do love it when a program comes together.” When did you know programming was important to you? “It’s actually a funny story. I was plopped into Intro to Coding my freshman year by mistake. I remember being really annoyed because I was supposed to have a free period instead. My parents said I might as well give it a try at least for the first week, and while I agreed to go to the first class, I

was fully set on dropping the course immediately after—that free period just sounded too good. Obviously, there was a change of plans. I think it was the logic of computer languages that grabbed me pretty quickly, and of course, three years of coding later, I’m still at it. There’s a lot of puzzle-solving involved in computer programming, and since I was very young, I’ve always loved brainteasers. I used to play Qbitz, a patternrecognition game, with my grandma, and I went through a whole series of Perplexors, books with lots of different logic puzzles, before I was in middle school. In retrospect, I should have known that coding would be a natural fit for me.” What do you hope to achieve in college? “Fun, balance and growth—not necessarily in that order. Beyond the academics, I look forward to moving outside of the environment I’ve grown up in. While it’s been awesome to grow up in Weston, I know there’s a lot more to this country and to the rest of the world. I want to meet students and faculty with different experiences and perspectives. Social media seems to create more silos than connections these days, and I hope that I have the chance to really engage with a diverse group of individuals without the barriers that we and society too often place between each other.” Who’s your role model? “While I love to give them a hard time and

they sometimes make me crazy, my parents are my best role models. My mom’s career has been an inspiration. The first person in her family to graduate from college, she became a lawyer and is now one of the leading experts in her field. Her work ethic and constant efforts to improve herself have taught me the power of persistence and to avoid complacency. As for my dad, after twenty years of practicing law, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. I think it’s so important to know that you aren’t stuck on one path in life, that you can take control of your future and go after what

makes you happy at any age. Don’t tell them I said any of this though. I don’t want to give them any leverage!”

Quick Takes Most want to meet: “Lin-Manuel Miranda” My motto is: “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.” Superpower pick: “Telepathy” Dream destination: “Outer space” Favorite local place: “Pokeworks”

Nina Ferrucci

Quick Takes

SACRED HEART GREENWICH

Role models: “My parents. Together, they have the qualities of the perfect person: logical, kind-hearted, hard-working, dedicated, loyal, and selfless.” My motivation: “My health and well-being are two of my biggest motivators. If I know something is good for me, I will do it without hesitation.” College hope: “To become a more independent person and thinker.”

hen is a cupcake not just a cupcake? When Nina Ferrucci is baking it. She owns Nina’s Cupcake Culture. She takes orders on the website, www. cupcakeculture.com, and promotes her offerings on Instagram @cupcakeculture_. She even does the photography. Through the business, she has also partnered with various nonprofits, including No Kid Hungry and the Don Bosco Community Center. Even her school, Sacred Heart Greenwich, is on the goodies—two years in a row, she provided ten dozen cupcakes for graduation parties. Nina got hooked on baking in ninth grade and applied a sense of constant improvement and even perfectionism ever since. No surprise, then, to learn that she is an AP student. Her primary interest is psychology and philosophy, spurred by coursework in ethics and morality. “Nina models compassion, insight and action. Her placement in her most rigorous senior year curriculum speaks volumes of the respect and confidence of her teachers,” says Chris Gerrity, co-director of college guidance. Balancing the competing demands is a snap, because she was a competitive gymnast, too. This fall, she is off to Boston College, through early acceptance.

Do you have a favorite subject? “This year I had the amazing opportunity to take an anatomy and physiology course as a part of the senior year curriculum. Within the first week of school, it became my favorite class. In fact, it is one of the main reasons I am pursuing a career in physical therapy. I loved learning about the one thing that unites us all: the inner workings of the human body. Another aspect I loved about this class was how relevant it is to

my daily life. I couldn’t count how many times I learned the meaning of words my doctor would use but never explained what they meant or how they affected me. For example, I learned how to read blood pressure numbers, why the brain looks the way it does, and how reflexes work. Information.” How did Covid change high school for you? “Sacred Heart Greenwich handled the pandemic very well. In fact, we were in-person for the whole year. However, everyday

interactions at school were very different. I couldn’t hug my friends on the first day of school, shake hands with any of my new teachers or make out-of-school plans without worrying about social distancing. Even though this took some getting used to, my class seemed unphased as we came up with innovative ways of spending time together as a class, safe from the pandemic.” Worst and best parts of the differences? “I have been very fortunate during the

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pandemic because, while frustrating for all, Covid-19 has been overall beneficial to my life. The canceling of in-person activities and events has, in turn, allowed me to reflect and focus on myself and my health. Ever since my involvement in competitive gymnastics began in middle school, my interest in physical and mental health has grown tremendously. However, as I was constantly involved with social events and demanding school hours, I’ve never had a decent

opportunity to let my passion for health and fitness properly develop. Now, due to Covid, my calendar is filled with nothing but free time in which I have been creating my own personal workouts, expanding my cupcake business, learning how to cook healthy meals and going to sleep at a decent hour. Combined, these activities have given me a well-deserved break from my hectic life. I learned to embrace the silence as a time to meditate, care for my mind just as much as my body, and not feel guilty about focusing on myself. In short, the pandemic has given me the gift of a more balanced lifestyle. I consider myself very lucky that Covid has had a mostly positive effect on my life, and my heart reaches out to those who were not as fortunate.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICIA CONNELL

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AJ Tenser GREENS FARMS ACADEMY

ot to put aside an extraordinary GPA, by any measure, but Andrew (AJ) Tenser also goes above and beyond with the extracurriculars at Greens Farms Academy. The junior has been very busy in his first two years: cochair of Model UN, special events chair and temporary cochair of QUEST (Questioning Understanding Educating About Sexuality Today) Club, Quiz Team (which competed nationally), Academic World Quest, Jewish Students Club, Coding Club, Newspaper, Yearbook and the Golf Team. As impressive as all those activities are, the reason for the participation is equally so: He wanted to connect with his peers. Further, he didn’t take a seat in the back; he took on leadership roles, interviewed students and teachers for the school paper and contributed to multiple sections of the yearbook. Also, remarkably, this persistent, hard-working and organized student raised his sights even higher. AJ pursued his pilot’s license. He wanted to better understand aeronautics and flight, so naturally he jumped in and took flight training. He’ll be licensed at age seventeen. More than even that, he will volunteer for Corporate Angel Network, for which he will help cancer patients get the necessary travel they need for treatment, without expense. With his interest in design, history, culture and all things flying, he is poised to re-imagine the airline industry of tomorrow.

Do you have a favorite subject? “I love history and especially learning about global cultures. By studying other cultures, my perspective has changed, and I am better able to understand how past events are influencing actions and decisions today. Ever since kindergarten, when my family and I first went to France, I have been

fascinated with the sights and smells of different places around the world. Ever since that first trip, I have loved visiting and learning about different regions and civilizations.” What is one of your big achievements? “I recently passed my written pilot’s exam, which was almost entirely self-directed. It took almost a year of

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studying information that I had never seen before. After taking pages of notes and still struggling to get through the reviews, I figured out a better approach. By breaking down the material into manageable pieces, I was able to stay motivated and nail down the material, easily passing the exams. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone but, ultimately, made me a more independent student.” What about a life challenge? “I moved from Southern California to Connecticut during middle school, which took some adjustment. While there are a lot of similarities between my former home of Manhattan Beach and Westport, the differences are still far greater than just the weather. After going through the move, I have learned how I handle new and stressful situations. Switching schools in the middle of a school year was difficult, but I have learned to adapt, which is a skill I will always be able to use.” What do you like about your school? “I like that the teachers are accessible and easy to talk to, but still keep me challenged. They support my interests and (most) get my sense of humor. The environment at GFA is also great. The history behind the school can be seen through the architecture, but it is not overbearing or dark. The headmaster, who arrived the same year that I did, has been supportive and makes the school a great place to learn.”

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

Tell us about the charity for which you volunteer: “Corporate Angel Network, or CAN, is a charity that combines both my love of aviation and my concern for a disease that has impacted several people in my life. The mission centers around placing sick children and adults on corporate planes, providing free transportation to top cancer treatment centers across the country. It is complex logistically and incredibly rewarding. It is unlike anything I have ever been a part of and I look forward to contributing wherever I can with this amazingly dedicated group.”

Quick Takes

My generation is defined by: “Anarchy” What my teachers would say about me: “I am concise. I also do not mind challenging the teachers’ assumptions, which is sometimes beneficial, but often I find it just gets on their nerves.” Favorite club: “Quiz team because it is really humbling.” Dream destination: “Bled, Slovenia”

which fights gun violence, she held an education event, contacted legislators, ran voter-registration phone banks and more. And pairing her love of chemistry and cooking, she has found a path in food science. She took advantage of an Early College Experience program, which Staples offers with Norwalk Community College, and enrolled in two college courses: Principles of Food Prep and Principles of Baking. Remarkably, she volunteered for Wakeman Town Farm’s children’s cooking classes. Who’s smart enough to sign her up? Princeton.

Natalia Maidique STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

hen your Staples High School counselor says you are “innately brilliant,” you know things are going well. For Natalia, that’s an understatement. Things are stunning. That counselor, Victoria Capozzi, adds that the recent graduate is “a highly motivated young woman with a huge amount of intellectual curiosity and integrity.” Natalia proved it by taking a very rigorous course load, with Honors and AP classes. Her GPA is off the charts and places her in the top 5 percent of her class, and her SAT score is equally dizzying for its altitude. She is a master of time management. As a student in the AP Government and Politics “We the People” course, she attended lots of meetings, read law review between cross-country meets, and wrote out project flashcards while on vacation. Her team placed fifth in national competition. Also, for Students Demand Action,

What is your favorite subject? “My favorite subject is probably chemistry or math. I like both of them because they both are ways to find rules and patterns that govern things, either substances or numbers, which is the way that my brain is most comfortable working. I love being able to see how seemingly arbitrary processes actually do have reasoning. I’ve known that math was my favorite subject since I was in elementary school at The Montessori School in Wilton. There, a big part of the teaching style is letting kids choose what they want to learn and, subsequently, in which areas they progress. I remember being most excited to have math lessons, especially with the older kids.” How would you describe yourself? “I think the most significant characteristic I have as a student is my innate desire to learn and really understand. I recognize that I don’t go to school just to obey rules and get good grades, but instead I do

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it because each of my teachers has something to teach me and I can find out more about the world if I listen. I think this sets me apart from some of my peers, who don’t really want to learn. I just really love being able to know things.” What do you hope to learn in college? “I’m really looking forward to learning across many different subjects. I know that my professors will be among the most qualified people in their subject, so even if I take many electives that aren’t immediately related to my major, I know I’ll be able to learn a lot. I want to spend my college years just taking in anything I can, even from my peers who will be from very different backgrounds from my own.” What about after college? “I see myself being a food scientist in ten years. I want to be part of the movement that moves food away from using animal products and instead creates sustainable foods that

can be used to feed people for generations. Food is my greatest passion in the world, so I definitely want to be doing something relating to that, but I also know that the food industry is one of the most harmful to the planet. Being a food scientist is an intersection between my love for food and my passion for the environment, in addition to my love of science and chemistry.” What defines your generation? “I think my generation is defined by its passion in pushing to change the world. Every single one of us has something that we really care about and want to push for. For me, that manifests into my environmentalism, but there are so many different issues that my generation is finally aware that real change is possible in all of them.”

Quick Takes Motivation: “My sisters being proud of me is the greatest feeling in the world.” Advice to high school freshmen: “Introduce yourself to as many people as you can, especially if it’s outside your comfort zone.” Dream destination: “Spain, so I can speak Spanish, see the historical buildings, and try authentic food like paella.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAMELA ZAREMBA

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A PreK-12, coeducational day school in Westport, CT

Known and Loved

Students are at the center of everything, as known and engaged partners in their own learning. The PreK through 12 experience offers a unique opportunity for continuity, development, and the building of lifelong relationships. Come learn more about the GFA experience 203.256.7514 | www.gfacademy.org

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Max Howat

practically impossible to stay on top of my work. I think this is why I leaned more toward the STEM classes during high school.”

GREENS FARMS ACADEMY

ax Howat has spent his high school years racking up an impressive GPA at Greens Farms Academy, but, being born for the water, also diving in, floating on, or pulling from Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. When not helping on his grandfather’s boat, he is shellfish warden for the Harbor Department of New Shoreham in Rhode Island. As such, he checks clam licenses, gages catches, returns undersized clams and checks the pH of the water. He’s also first mate on Marine Patrol and mooring collection boats, for which he collects rents from moored boats, helps boats find open spots in the mooring field and guides guests for charter fishing trips. He even found time to work part time on Hula Charters, where he sold his seasonal fish catches to local restaurants and markets. He’s hoping to continue his water work throughout college to deepen his understanding of, and appreciation for, the ecosystem. He has a head start at GFA, where, for his global thesis, he studied changes in the striped bass fishery in relationship to fishing regulations—the intersection of fishing, the environment and the economy. But, first, his captain’s license.

Your favorite subject is easy to guess, right? “I really liked taking marine biology, but also physics. These two classes were very enjoyable because I love the ocean and everything in it, and I really like mathematical-based science. In marine biology I got to study some of the shellfish that I protected during my summer job at the Block Island Harbors Department, which was super interesting. In physics, a classmate and I built a nine-foot-tall trebuchet, which was one of the most fun final projects I’ve had in a

What did you like about your school, Greens Farms Academy? “I loved the fact that it was a small school. If you had a problem, you couldn’t just run away from it because everyone knew everyone. The problem-solving skills I was taught will stick with me for the rest of my life.” What’s it like to be a teen here? “There’s definitely a lot of pressure growing up in such an affluent area. The bar is set so high by our parents, teachers, and complete strangers in Fairfield County, it definitely makes working hard the standard.”

Quick Takes

class. I’d absolutely love to continue studying these subjects in college.” When did you know marine biology was important to you? “It was obvious from the get-go because of how much the ocean has influenced my life and the way I live it.” What do you hope to achieve in college? “In college I want to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I’m going to try and say yes to every opportunity I have to try something new. I just want to make

the most of my time at UMiami because I know it doesn’t last forever.” What event most impacted your plans? “My job this past summer definitely changed my life completely. I was living practically alone on Block Island working for a department that I absolutely love. It allowed me to experience how big the world is, which is something I never got to westportmag.com

do at such a small high school. My job further solidified my plans to study the ocean in college.” What’s a challenge you’ve had to face? “My dyslexia definitely has impacted the way I learn in negative ways throughout school. I would always dread English classes that would heavily involve reading because it was

Advice to high school freshmen: “Everyone is nervous, make the most of the next four years.” Currently binge watching: “Playoff hockey” My motto: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Dream destination: “On a boat in the middle of the ocean.” Favorite local escape: “Devils Glen Park in Fairfield”

Above & Beyond

“I love the person I’ve become at St. Luke’s and I want to remember her ... I can’t wait to look back 10 years from now at these memories and remember how lucky I was to want to hold onto this moment, these people, this version of me so much. Thank you St Luke’s, for the people we are right now.” -Valedictorian Cate Mathews ‘21 Cate is a St. Luke’s STEM Scholar. She lives in Wilton and will attend Northwestern University.

Visit Us: www.stlukesct.org/visit St. Luke’s is a secular, college-preparatory day school for grades 5-12 serving 30 towns in Connecticut and New York. 2021 Top Ten Best Private College Prep High School in CT -niche.com (203) 801- 4833 | admissions@stlukesct.org | www.stlukesct.org 377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840

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(captain), Link Crew (commissioner) and Tri-M, among others. Concerned about students struggling during Covid, in October 2020 he founded the free tutoring program Your Academics. High school volunteers have worked with some 250 K-12 students one-on-one throughout the school year. The program has expanded into seminars and summer camps, including presidential trivia, math and science. This remarkably well-rounded and accomplished student will continue to make things better for others by planning to study engineering and improve education in the United States. He also plans to visit 100 countries in his lifetime—and there’s every reason to believe he’ll do it (and probably surpass 100).

Anjo Therattil WILTON HIGH SCHOOL

ilton High School’s Anjo Therattil gave his first speech at six years old. Now, he addresses thousands, including at the international conference by the Indian Council for International Cooperation. Also, he began competing in national history competitions in fifth grade; by 2018 he was Connecticut Regional Champion. He has ranked in the top ten individually at countless tournaments, finishing first at several of them. In 2020 he finished 18th in U.S. History Bee, and was his own one-man team (against teams of four) for the National History Bowl. Moreover, he has won prizes for his music (violin and piano) and participates in plenty of clubs: Model Congress, Model UN (board member), Robotics (president), Math League

What is one of your recent successes? “Covid presented countless challenges in all aspects of our daily lives, including the educational system. Millions of students across the nation faced challenges in the classroom and many were failing classes. In response, I founded a volunteer organization called Your Academics in October 2020. It offers free one-on-one tutoring to K-12 students. High school students are paired with a student for the duration of the school year. In addition to tutoring, the program has expanded to include seminars, extra help sessions and summer camps in a variety of subjects, including math and science. In the first few months, not many students and tutors were registering. After students and parents spread the word, more and more students registered. Altogether, more than 250 students westportmag.com

have registered so far and more than 750 hours of tutoring have occurred. Never did I expect so many students to register to receive tutoring or become tutors. I am so humbled by this experience.” What do you hope to achieve in college? “I hope to gain a strong understanding of engineering that will prepare me for my career. I’m also looking forward to getting involved in extracurricular activities and building lifelong friendships.”. Do you have a mentor or role model? “There are several. I’ve met coaches and teachers who have all helped me to become the person I am today. Each one of these mentors and role models has taught me a new skill or a valuable lesson that I still apply each and every day.”

What did you like about your school? “The amount of opportunities that are available to students are what makes Wilton High School so special. From sports to honor societies, there is something for each and every student. In the rare event a student doesn’t find a club for them, they can always form their own club. Apart from extracurricular offerings, there is also a strong sense of community that keeps the students together in the toughest of times and energized in its successes.”

Quick Takes Tip for succeeding in high school: “Make sure you learn more about the course offerings before you register for courses. Don’t overload yourself either.” Favorite club: “Robotics Team. You might expect that robotics is all about building and programming a robot, but there are a lot of other aspects, including branding and fundraising and a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication.” My motto: “Be able to adapt to any situation.” Dream destination: “Zermatt, Switzerland”

Set Better Standards It’s our academics that set us apart. Courageous thinking guided by inquiry and exploration. It’s our community that sets us ahead. Open minds inspired by our different backgrounds and perspectives. It’s our graduates that set us above. Ready to own their future …and better prepared to better the world.

JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE OCT 3: GRADE 6-11 | NOV 7: PREK- GRADE 5 kingschoolct.org/open-house

PREP

Fairfield College Preparatory School is a Jesuit, Catholic school of excellence forming young men of intellectual competence, who possess the conscience to make wise decisions, a compassion for others and a commitment to justice in our global society. Fairfield Prep offers a rigorous academic program for boys in ninth through 12th grade in the Jesuit educational tradition, with an outstanding record of college acceptances and an emphasis on mission in program as well as a full slate of sports and activities. In a community of faith, our students develop their relationship with God and one another.

for Life SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

Open House Sunday, October 3 Saturday, November 20

FAIRFIELDPREP.org A Jesuit, Catholic School of Excellence. 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Be An Individual. Become Part of Something Incredible. St Joseph High School is an independent Catholic college preparatory community that educates and motivates young women and men to live purposeful lives as ethical leaders committed to the common good of all.

2021 ADMISSION EVENTS

2021-2022

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

OPEN HOUSES & VISIT DAYS

Fall Open House: Sunday, October 24 sjcadets.org/openhouse Entrance Exam Prep Course: Saturday, October 16 Entrance Exam (One-time test): Saturdays: October 30 or November 13

BERKSHIRE SCHOOL BRUNSWICK SCHOOL

Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 17

EASTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Family Tours: Available by Appointment (203) 378-9378 x308 | admissions@sjcadets.org

FAIRFIELD COLLEGE PREPERATORY SCHOOL GREENS FARMS ACADEMY

St Joseph High School, Trumbull, CT www.sjcadets.org | admissions@sjcadets.org

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GREENWICH ACADEMY GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL IONA PREPERATORY SCHOOL KING SCHOOL LONG RIDGE SCHOOL THE MASTERS SCHOOL NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL PUTNAM INDIAN FIELD SCHOOL RYE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL SACRED HEART GREENWICH ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL STAMFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION WHITBY SCHOOL WINSTON PREPERATORY SCHOOL

For a complete schedule of admissions events at the above schools. Please visit:

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Cate Mathews ST. LUKE’S

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIGHPOINT PICTURES

eet the valedictorian of St. Luke’s Class of 2021. Cate Mathews has earned nothing short of straight A’s, and usually A plus, throughout high school. As a senior, she earned those top marks in AP, advanced and honors courses, like AP Physics, AP Statistics and AP French. She also won many academic awards: English, history, math and science (multiple years); designLab (twice); the Harvard University Book Prize (given to just one junior); and the 2018 Top Scholar (highest GPA of her entire grade). She also received the prestigious national Presidential Scholar Program nomination in her junior year and the National French Contest (gold in 2018 and silver in 2019 and 2020). She was inducted into St. Luke’s Cum Laude Society, which acknowledges top academics from the senior class, and found time to captain the Upper School debate team, which qualified for state finals. She is the co-president of W.I.S.E. (Women in STEM Education) Club, which fosters interest in STEM subjects; founding member of the Eye of the Storm, the student-run club that creates videos and podcasts; and elected member of the Honor Council for all three years that she’s been eligible. For her Senior Scholars self-study and presentation, she looks at celiac disease. Her accomplishments are too numerous to list. Northwestern University is lucky to have her now.

Your favorite class? “I’ve really loved chemistry, both because I’ve had amazing teachers and because the subject itself speaks to me. I love that there is a logical underpinning for every process and rule. Even if you forget a concept, you can logic your way out— most of the time.” What did you like about St. Luke’s? “I love how focused the school is on quality of

life. In this area, there is a lot of pressure to be doing a million activities, volunteering, playing sports and getting great grades all at the same time. St Luke’s puts a lot of effort into minimizing that stress culture, which I’ve found to be invaluable.” How did Covid change high school for you? “I was lucky to go to a school that was mostly in person this year, so

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the biggest changes for me were somewhat trivial—wearing masks in school or eating lunch with big dividers up. I did miss some of the small social things that make high school what it is. I couldn’t whisper a joke to a friend in class or be on a bus with my team, which I ended up really missing. Most of that pales in comparison to what a lot of other people went through, so I feel lucky.” What do you hope to achieve in college? “I’m really hoping to build connections with my classmates and teachers. As much as schools try to differentiate themselves with specific programs and perks, what really makes a school unique to me is what kind of people they attract. I can’t wait to get to know all of the people that found their way to my school. I know those connections are going to be invaluable ten years down the line.” So, what do you see for yourself in ten years? “The official answer is that I haven’t decided yet, and that openness is very exciting. A lot of high school and even the college process is planned out for you, so it is going to be rewarding to let my future unfold a little more mysteriously. I will say, though, that in some tiny, dark corner of my mind, I see myself as a senior staffer at the White House. I’m just not quite ready to commit to that plan yet.” Do you have a mentor? “My teachers have been mentors for me, and I’ve leaned on them a lot. They’ve seen me

through a lot of mini crises, especially this year between college and Covid.” What defines your generation? “Vulnerability. We grew up knowing our baby photos would exist on Facebook and our awkward middle school years would be immortalized on Instagram, and we adjusted to that total lack of privacy. Because of that, I think our generation is used to talking about our lives and feelings in a really public way. Conversations about mental illness, politics, religion, etc., just aren’t as taboo to us as they were to previous generations.”

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Quick Takes Favorite club: “Debate — it forced me to pay attention to the world.” Most like to meet: “Anna Wintour” The superpower I’d pick: “Time travel” Dream destination: “South Africa” Favorite local place: “Valencia or Brasitas”

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Makaio Toft

Quick Takes

HOPKINS

My Person I most want to meet: “Phoebe WallerBridge.” Hope to achieve in college: “Meet collaborators. That’s all I can hope for. I made some lovely friends at my high school, but I was the only one who wanted to make shows. I am beyond eager to meet people who are passionate in all disciplines of art and show-making and learn from them.”

he magic of theater is not just at center stage. The wonder of film is not just about the close-up. Both take the talent of many people to transfix an audience. Margaret (a.k.a. Makaio) Toft filled the role of playwright and director at her school, Hopkins. She devoted countless hours to a play she wrote and directed in summer 2020. And she has written, produced and filmed many pieces for school and for herself. In her senior year, when the annual holiday celebration was canceled, she gathered friends and coordinated and created a holiday sketch movie for the class. As a writer, director and actor in the Hopkins Drama Association, she created a short film, Afterglow, which won in the claustrophobic creativity category in the 2020 All American High School Film Festival. She also interned at the Summer Theater of New Canaan and took voice lessons. The Weston resident is shooting to be a professional screenwriter and director in her future. For now, she is a freshman at the Dramatic Writing program at NYU Tisch.

What is one of your recent successes? “The most viewed piece of work I made my senior year was a movie, Five Golden Rings, which was a fifteen-minute short comedy I made to supplement for the annual holiday assembly. The senior class usually puts together sketches to perform for the whole school, and while they are very under rehearsed and sometimes a little awkward, that assembly is one of the most popular events at my school—and it was a shame to see another bit

of laughter be taken away due to the pandemic. However, in October, I got the green light from my class president to write and produce a comedy movie to stand in place of the assembly, and it ended up bringing some much-needed light during the depths of December. The senior class got to watch it together in the gym, and it felt like my first-ever movie premiere of sorts. Hearing their laughter and getting messages that day from teachers I didn’t even know about how it had made them smile was

incredibly heartwarming.” How would you describe yourself as a student? “I would describe myself as a fierce student when I’m interested, but a lazy one otherwise. I do not like academics, never have, and don’t predict I will ever really enjoy learning in a classroom setting. I don’t find much gratification from getting good grades, so I have never been one to push myself in subjects I don’t like. It’s certainly not my best quality, but I am not ashamed of it because I

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have developed a strong work ethic for programs and independent study outside of the classroom that have shaped who I am. I am proud of the things I have been able to accomplish, and I know I would not have done them if I had followed the advice of maintaining a ‘better’ school-versus-art balance.” What motivates you? “I am motivated by the opportunity to encourage the people I am working with. My friend, Talia Chang, has been my star actress for the past year,

and we have built a special bond. I cast her in June 2020 for my summer play when I barely knew her, but she had sent in an extra monologue with her audition, and that extra step set her apart from the other prospects. She is quiet and more reserved, so she has gotten few opportunities on stage compared to her louder male counterparts, but she has this quality of vulnerability and sincerity that makes her performances stand out in a crowd. After our summer show, so many audience members came up to me saying, ‘Oh my gosh, that girl was so good!’ and I could not have agreed more. All my biggest projects in the past year have succeeded because of her performances in them, and we have encouraged each other to keep going in serious moments of need, in projects and life.”

A Place to be Understood Winston Preparatory School Connecticut is a leading school for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD and non-verbal learning difficulties. Learn how we design an individualized academic program that will help your child thrive!

Visit www.winstonprep.edu/our-campuses/ct for more information or contact the Admissions Office: Michelle Rolfe at ctadmissions@winstonprep.edu.

We seek to enable our students to develop their full academic, moral, creative and physical potential while fostering loving-kindness. We promote inphysical individual We Weseek seek totoenable enable our ourrespect students studentsand totodevelop develop their theirfull fullacademic, academic, moral, moral,excellence creative creativeand and physical academic achievement the context of our motto: We potential potentialwhile whilefostering fosteringin respect respect and andloving-kindness. loving-kindness. Wepromote promoteexcellence excellenceininindividual individual

Easton Country Day School

Easton CountryDay DaySchool School Easton Country

The Winston Preparatory School does not discriminate against applicants and students on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin.

academic academicachievement achievementininthe thecontext contextofofour ourmotto: motto:

"Responsibility, "Responsibility,Integrity, Integrity, "Responsibility, Integrity, Community Community---Praxis." Praxis." Community Praxis."

We cultivate mutual respect and We Wecultivate cultivate mutual respect respect and and kindness, as wellmutual as civic responsibility, in a kindness, kindness, as as well well as as civic civic responsibility, responsibility, in in a a multicultural environment where we can multicultural multicultural environment where wherewe wecan can encourageenvironment the development of encourage encourage the the development development of of accomplished, caring, and responsible accomplished, accomplished, caring, caring,and andresponsible responsible human beings. human humanbeings. beings. Our high school offerings go from tutoring Our Ourhigh highschool schoolofferings offeringsgo gofrom fromtutoring tutoring to college credit courses in a small and totocollege collegecredit creditcourses coursesininaasmall smalland and friendly environment where everyone friendly friendly environment environment where where everyone everyone knows your name. knows knows your your name. name.

Easton Country Day School Easton Easton Country Country Day Day School School 660 Morehouse Road 660 660 Morehouse Morehouse Road Road Easton, Easton, CT CT 06612 06612 Easton, CT 06612 (203) (203) 268-5530 268-5530 (203) 268-5530

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

SAVE THE CHILDREN’S FAIRFIELD COUNTY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ORPHAN TRAIN AND THE EXILES Join Save the Children’s Janti Soeripto and Mark Shriver for an inspiring conversation with Christina about her books and about what Save the Children is doing for vulnerable children around the world, especially right here in the U.S.

Christina Baker Kline

#1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles

Janti Soeripto

Wine and Hors’ d’oeuvres Thursday, September 30 from 6:30 to 8:30pm The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport

CEO & President Save the Children

To reserve your tickets, visit SavetheChildren.org/Fairfield or use the QR code

Mark Shriver

Contact mleffel@savechildren.org with questions

Chief Strategy Officer Save the Children

RSVP BY SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

Fairfield County Leadership Council Executive Committee Simonne Hewett Co-President

COMBATTING CHILD HUNGER IN RURAL AMERICA Did you know that today in rural communities around our country 1 in 5 children are not getting enough to eat? Save the Children is working to make sure all children have the food they need to keep healthy and keep growing.

Emma Gallo Kathy Garrigan

Joan Panagos Co President

Joann Bottoni Jepsen

Joan Curran

Barbara Kleban

Trish Demaras

Bernie Park

Erin Dempster

Susan Seath

Lindsay Duggan

Anne Troxell

Kristana Esslinger

Amy van Daalen

Sandra Frost

Generously Sponsored By:

Platinum Sponsors: Lindsay and Joe Duggan

Barb & Ken Kleban

Simonne & Wayne Hewett

Joan & Steven Panagos

Joann Bottoni Jepsen & John Jepsen

Bernie & Gene Park

Silver Sponsors: Amy & Anthony van Daalen All ticket purchases and donations to this event will support Save the Children’s efforts to end child hunger in Rural America. Contact mleffel@savechildren.org or call 203-246-3481 with questions. We will adhere to Connecticut state guidance on masking and distancing.

Tyler Mace KING SCHOOL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRI GRAHAM

harks are vicious killers, right? And only an aggressive person would appreciate them, right? Nope and nope. Sharks, once understood by the right person, are simply fascinating. That right person is Tyler Mace. Now a senior at King School, the Westporter has many interests, including ice hockey and lacrosse (he plays both at the varsity level), the saxophone and the investment club—and, yet, there’s nothing like sharks to capture his attention. He conducts shark research and does conservation work with Dr. Craig O’Connell, cofounder and director of the O’Seas Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit that educates and inspires future leaders of marine conservation. Tyler participated in Discovery’s Shark Week and a film for National Geographic; started his own nonprofit to support sharks and the health of the oceans; and shared his experiences in marine biology with his classmates through a King Talk (similar to a TED Talk). A natural in the water, he is a certified advanced open water diver, an underwater naturalist, a night diver and a wreck diver with the Coral Reef Conservation. Out of the water, he has his basic yacht crewman license and is working on his boating certification. “Being out on a boat and spending time in nature always clears my head,” he says, “and reminds me of what is truly important in life.”

How did Covid impact your plans? “Last summer I planned to be at the University of Miami Summer Scholars program for sharks and marine biology. Because of Covid, the program was virtual, and I found myself with a lot of extra time. I used that time to create my own 501(c) (3) nonprofit company named The Shark Side, which focuses on protecting sharks and supporting research

that helps them and our oceans. I also developed a website to support my efforts at thesharkside .org. So far, I have raised almost $14,000! I have used some of the money to fund research I believe will make a big difference in improving the future for sharks, to purchase a shark tag and to create a scholarship to pay-it-forward and help someone attend shark camp at O’Seas Conservation Foundation,

Q A

where I got my first shark experiences and met my mentor. Despite being only sixteen years old and being able to decide where to allocate these funds, I get to make direct decisions and make an impact on something that is important to me. It is an empowering feeling.” Where do you see yourself in ten years? “While I love all sharks, mako sharks hold a special place in my heart as they are beautiful, can swim up to 60 mph and have been one of the most elusive sharks in my research. Makos also have the largest brain-tobody ratio of all sharks. Unfortunately, they are on the endangered list and get more vulnerable every day. After getting a doctorate in marine biology, I hope to have figured out ways to help these amazing sharks go from being endangered to having normal oceanic levels. People don’t realize that while they might personally fear sharks, the ecosystem is fragile and removing these natural predators has a significant ripple effect.” How did you get into shark research? “I have just always loved ocean animals. When I was really little, I would ask my mom to make the bath water blue and I would wear a mask and snorkel in the tub, spending hours playing underwater with plastic sea animals. Instead of watching Power Rangers, I would watch Bass Masters and River Monsters. When I was eleven, my mom asked what I wanted to do for my birthday and I said go cage diving. Instead

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

of just forbidding it, she found the Long Island Aquarium that allows you to cage dive in its shark exhibit. Shortly after, I attended Dr. O’Connell’s shark camp where he saw my true passion as I learned how to identify and tag sharks. He invited me to Guadalupe Island to do research with him. It was there that I dove with some of the largest Great white sharks in the world. I try to add to my knowledge base as Dr. O’Connell’s research associate, attending the University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program for Marine Biology and spending three weeks at Coastal Mera in Florida as a research scientist.”

Quick Takes

On switching schools as a junior: “As the year progressed, sports practice was allowed...I realized what a great place I had joined.” My motto: “Just keep swimming.”

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

on AIR

LIVE

westportmag.com

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHY; MAP BY ©BELOZERSKY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Meteorologist ROB MARCIANO on big weather, tricky live shots and Westport’s perfect backdrop

by brigit te quinn

IT’S

Rob Marcianohas covered plenty of big storms, and their aftermath, across the country.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

the span we often neglect to notice as we hurriedly cross the Saugatuck River Bridge to get to errands or school pickups, but that bridge happens to be the site of a network newscast live shot, helmed by ABC News Senior Meteorologist and Connecticut native Rob Marciano. If he’s not reporting live from the scene of a hurricane, tornado or wildfire for World News Tonight, Marciano and his crew are scouting live locations for his nightly reports, selecting the shots not just for their beauty, but for their depth. In the case of Westport, you have what Marciano calls a layered composition: the water; the U.S. flags, which often adorn the bridge; the stately rust-hued brick buildings. It’s a backdrop that brings a slice of Americana into the viewer’s home. “The Westport shot looking back over the Saugatuck River is great in the morning because the sun comes up right on your face and lights up the town behind you,” says Marciano, “and it’s just spectacular.” From the spectacular to the severe, Marciano has reported on every form of wrath and wonderment produced by Mother Nature, from Hawaiian volcanoes, to 2017’s Great American eclipse. But it was an old-fashioned New England snowstorm that spurred his interest in weather. The catastrophic blizzard of 1978 dumped nearly two feet of snow on Connecticut, left four men dead of snow-shoveling heart attacks, and caused $25 million in damage.

Then-governor Ella Grasso, whose car got stuck, had to walk several blocks as she made her way from the executive mansion to the storm command center. Grasso ordered all roads closed except for emergency vehicles and shut down her state for three days. For a ten-year-old Marciano, growing up in the Glenville section of Greenwich, the blizzard was the event that set him on his life path. “You hear that from most any adult meteorologist that there was a pivotal moment when they were a kid, that they fell in love with it and never looked back.” He adds, with a laugh. “We’re a special, wacky breed.” Marciano became enthralled with every aspect of weather. And his passion was fed by the advent of cable news in southwestern Connecticut. Marciano jokes that he tormented his parents because he liked to flip from the New York, to the New Haven, to the Hartford channels, all to watch the meteorologists whom he admired. “I drove my parents crazy. I knew exactly when every weather person was on to the minute,” he says. His parents, he adds, never got to just watch the news.

WATCH OUT

When we watch the news these days, we’re likely to see plenty of weather stories beyond our favorite local meteorologist’s forecast. It’s

We are definitely seeing more extreme weather events. We’ve seen a higher frequency of strong hurricanes in the past handful of years that have done catastrophic damage to American towns along the coast.

hurricane season now and when it’s over in late November, it will no doubt be compared with 2020. You’ll be forgiven for forgetting it—there were a couple of other stories on our radar, as it were, namely, the election. Oh, and that pandemic. But the 2020 season was so active that the National Hurricane Center used up its roster of storm names and had to dip into the Greek alphabet. “We are definitely seeing more extreme weather events,” Marciano says. “We’ve seen a higher frequency of strong hurricanes in the past handful of years that have done catastrophic damage to American towns along the coast.” And should New England also be bracing for those snowstorms that enraptured a budding weather geek? “I think we’re in for some wicked snowstorms,” Marciano predicts, “but the winters of when I was a kid, having snow from Christmas week to mid-March constantly, I think those days are gone.” If there’s a seminal storm in a meteorologist’s life that drew them to the business, there is also a story among the myriad weather catastrophes they’ve covered that they never forget. For Marciano it was 2005’s Hurricane Rita, a storm that wreaked devastation in coastal Texas and Louisiana just weeks after Hurricane Katrina. Marciano covered Rita for CNN during a decade-long stint that helped earn the network a Peabody award.

AS SEEN ON TV Follow Rob on Instagram @robertmarciano to see where the day takes him, from snowstorms to stars.

2021

2020 westportmag.com

2020

Marciano recalls being overruled in choosing a location from which he and his team would cover Rita. “The number one rule in a storm is: What’s your fallback? When things get hairy, where are you going to go?” He explains that you do not want someone on your team to get hurt—aside from his or her well-being, it makes everyone in your business look bad. “The last thing I want my epitaph to read,” he says: 'Weatherman dies of stupidity in storm.’ ” He remembers when the hurricane started getting gnarly, they hustled to a brick utility building but almost didn’t make it inside. In the race from the parking lot to the door, the winds literally picked up his petite producer and started sliding her across the lot. Marciano grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and dragged her to the door. After that, he says, he never compromised again when it came to choosing a safe location.

The number one rule in a storm is: What’s your fallback? When things get hairy, where are you going to go?

CAREER TRAJECTORY

Marciano’s career has taken him to studio locations in Portland, Oregon (KATU-TV), and Lake Charles, Louisiana (KPLC-TV), but his first local television weather gig was as a weekend meteorologist for WVIT in

2017

2014

Hartford, in the early ’90s. Marciano says after graduating Cornell University in 1991 with a degree in Atmospheric Sciences, he had trouble finding a job because he “looked like a kid” on his tapes. A sympathetic meteorologist (whose name he, of course, recognized) at WVIT took a chance and put him in front of a green screen. It’s been a circuitous route to ABC, one of the “big three,” the network where Marciano says he always wanted to work—he joined in 2014. Not only do his live shots from the Saugatuck Bridge grace his network’s premier evening broadcast, Marciano is also the senior meteorologist for the weekend edition of Good Morning America. He’s also done feature segments for GMA, including riding a mechanical bull, fly fishing and getting ski jump lessons from a nine-year-old girl. The morning of our conversation, he had just good-naturedly endured jokes on air from the GMA anchors about the beard he grew during the pandemic. They had nicknamed him “Salty Sea Captain.” Hairball jokes abounded. A clip from the movie Teen Wolf is aired to drive the point home. Near the end of the broadcast, Marciano sits in a room tricked out like a barber shop and Justin, one of the ABC stylists who’s also a barber, shaves the beard, live, on television. Instagram chronicles the progression: from full facial foliage, as the anchors had joked,

2013

1. Sporting the famous beard of Covid winter; photo by IG @chrisdonato04 2. A duck photobombs Marciano's morning shot along the Saugatuck River; photo by IG @tommanningphotography 3. Marciano built himself a coworker; photo by IG @tommanningphotography 4. Back in 2017, he covered the solar eclipse. 5. Passing around the Emmy for Best Entertaining News Show 6. An ET interview with John Travolta and Kirstie Alley

u. s . govern men t rec ommen dations

GET READY September is National Preparedness Month, so make time to create your plan

to a handle-bar moustache, to finally, the old Marciano, likely looking again much as he did in his Connecticut television days, when he thought he looked too young to land a serious job in meteorology. Never mind the Ivy League science degree, Marciano’s happy to participate in the lighter television segments along with covering the serious weather events. “You don’t have to take yourself so seriously. I think we live in an age now with social media—if you go straightlaced the whole way down, you have to be at the top of your game, otherwise no one’s going to pay any attention to you. You have to have some fun.” Plus, those ski-jump lessons might come in handy when he takes his daughter— Marciano’s married with two young children—on their day trips to Connecticut’s Mohawk Mountain. As a young weather enthusiast, Marciano canoed on the neighboring Housatonic as a Boy Scout. And Glenville’s never far from his mind. He and his family now live near the Connecticut border, a matter of miles away from his childhood home where his mother still resides. His sister is a mere mile from their mom. Marciano says he gets to see his family and work at the place I’ve always wanted to work, so it’s a dream come true.”

Your annual reminder to get the resources, plans and information you and your family need to handle whatever Mother Nature might throw at us takes place now. September is National Preparedness Month. To get started, see the national public-service campaign Ready at ready.gov/september. Below are excerpts from this year’s overall plan. It is impressively detailed online, with each step providing links to specific to-do’s, such as how to find an evacuation route and what to pack in a preparedness kit. Start with the campaign’s overview.

SAFETY FIRST

WEEK 1: Make a Plan. “Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on CDC recommendations due to the coronavirus.” Week 2: Build a Kit. “Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.” Week 3: Review Your Risks. “Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.” Week 4: Teach Your Kids. “Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.”

westportmag.com

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHY

From hurricanes to tornados, Marciano gets up close to cover the weather.

“tight, absorbing...” THE NEW YORK TIMES

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Lehg nti d aW O

ea l i m S

225 TOP DENTISTS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

ur smiles say a lot about us. So finding the right dental professional is very important. We’re here to help with our 2021 guide to leading dental practitioners in Fairfield County. We turned to topDentists, a leading dental data research firm, for its inventory of elite practitioners. Its process is simple: TopDentists surveyors asked area specialists who are members of the American Dental Association to evaluate their peers. The criteria included experience, continuing education, patient care and use

of new technologies. Respondents were also asked to put aside personal and political bias and use only their knowledge of a peer’s work when evaluating nominees. Final selections were made after careful examination of credentials and past records with state academies and dental boards. So, whether or not you’ve put off your regular cleaning, your child needs braces or you’ve been thinking about whitening, take a look. The list that follows is sure to include a specialist you can count on. »

Scan here to view our digital

TOP DENTISTS LISTING!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

Leading With a Smile 225 TOP DENTISTS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

ENDODONTICS BRIAN AMOROSO

259 Stillson Road, Fairfield 203-333-3636 amorosoendo.com

ALBERT N. BONANNO

Dental Care of Stamford 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-884-0277 dentalcarestamford.com

ALEXANDRA BYRNE 5 Eversley Avenue, Suite 102, Norwalk 203-803-1849

JOEL B. CHASEN

Advanced Endodontics of Connecticut 95 Armory Road, Suite 2, Stratford 203-377-1331 advancedendo-ct.com

EVAN D. CHRISTENSEN

Fairfield Shore Endodontics 61 Sherman Street, Suite E, Fairfield 203-255-3636 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 104, Greenwich 203-470-5953 fairfieldrct.com

JOSHUA L. DEMBSKY

Advanced Endodontics of Connecticut 95 Armory Road, Suite 2, Stratford 203-377-1331 advancedendo-ct.com

DAVID T. FONG

The Stein Dental Group 1081 Hope Street, Stamford 203-329-8444 thesteindentalgroup.com

ANDREA GENTILE-FIORI Advanced Endodontics of Connecticut 95 Armory Road, Suite 2, Stratford 203-377-1331 advancedendo-ct.com

ANJANETTE W. GJERTSEN

10 Berkeley Street, Suite 4, Norwalk 203-899-1636 microendoct.com

AGNES HERCEG

Advanced Endodontics & Microsurgery of Stamford 44 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Suite 5, Stamford 203-324-9239 stamfordendo.com

PHILIP R. MASCIA

The Greater Danbury Center for Endodontics 360 Federal Road, Brookfield 203-775-3344 danburyendo.com

DENNIS L. PIPHER

Endodontic Associates of Norwalk

120 East Avenue, Suite 3E, Norwalk 203-635-6300 rootcanalnorwalk.com

Stamford 203-324-9506 jamestbowmandds.com

ALLEN J. ROSENTHAL

144 Morgan Street, Suite 5, Stamford 203-327-1167 drkenbroder.com

Advanced Endodontics & Microsurgery of Stamford 44 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Suite 5, Stamford 203-324-9239 stamfordendo.com

IRENE WONG

Fairfield Endodontics 999 Summer Street, Suite 301, Stamford 203-325-3636 fairfieldendo.com

JOSEPH A. ZERELLA

Zerella Endodontics 21 Sherman Court, Fairfield 203-553-9700 zerellaendo.com

GENERAL DENTISTRY DOMINICK P. AGOSTIN

15 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton 203-762-9907 agostindentalcare.com

STEVEN ALTMAN

Greenwich Dental Group 18 Field Point Road, Greenwich 203-869-3984 greenwichdentalgroup.com

THOMAS ANZALONE

Integrity Dental of Greenwich 235 Glenville Road, 2nd Floor, Greenwich 203-531-5595 integritydentalgreenwich .com

JEFFREY A. BABUSHKIN Cosmetic & Preventive Dentistry 888 White Plains Road, Suite 102, Trumbull 203-268-5881 cpdentistry.com

CYNTHIA A. BARTOLONE 2150 Black Rock Turnpike, Suite 201, Fairfield 203-333-2060

JANETTE A. BLACK

69 Sherman Street, Fairfield 203-255-1545 drscullyandblack.com

M. NICHOLAS BOCCAROSSA

Dental Associates of Connecticut 32 Church hill Road, Suite 201, Newtown 203-426-5891 dentalassociates.us

FRANK R. BOTTINO

329 Riverside Avenue, Westport 203-227-3709 westportdental.com

KENNETH N. BRODER

YOLANI P. EDIRISINGHE Family Dentistry of Milford 53 Cherry Street, Milford 203-878-1766 familydentistrymilford .com

ELKE W. CHEUNG

Elke Cheung Dentistry 43 North Avenue, Norwalk 203-846-0400 drcheungsmiles.com

MARK L. EINZIG

Ridgefield Cosmetic & Family Dentistry 90 Grove Street, Suite 208, Ridgefield 203-438-0120 markeinzigdds.com

CRAIG C. CLABAUGH

Mondovi Dental 1177 Summer Street, 2nd Floor, Stamford 203-327-2540 dentistofstamford.com

ELIOT S. ESSENFELD

Vanlang & Essenfeld Family Dentistry 53 Old Kings Highway North, Darien 203-655-8887 dariendentists.com

CHRISTOPHER C. COGGUILLO

Cogguillo Family Dentistry 203 Cherry Street, Milford 203-874-0000 drcogg.info

WILLIAM J. FESSLER

William Fessler Family Dentistry 116 East Avenue, Norwalk 203-838-3939 wfesslerdds.com

ALEJANDRA G. COSTANTINO-FINIASZ

The Stein Dental Group 1081 Hope Street, Stamford 203-329-8444 thesteindentalgroup.com

ANTHONY T. FESTA

New Canaan Dental Care 116 South Avenue, New Canaan 203-966-9696 newcanaandentalcare.com

CHARLES A. CRAPE

Center for Family Dental Health 435 New Haven Avenue, Milford 203-877-4511

SCOTT R. FISHER

4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 206, Greenwich 203-869-2929

VINCENT B. DEFINA

Devine Dental 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 202, Greenwich 203-629-9009 dentistofgreenwich.com

CAMILLO L. FONTANA

Fontana Family Dental Care 1100 Kings Highway East, Suite 3-A, Fairfield 203-333-4700 fontanafamilydentalcare .com

SANTO A. DELALLO

122 West Norwalk Road, Norwalk 203-855-8877

JOSEPHINE A. FRANZESE

CARL F. DELUCIA

Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center 162 Danbury Road, Ridgefield 203-493-0556 danajonesdds.com

3100 Main Street, Bridgeport 203-374-0082

BARBARA J. DEVINE

Devine Dental 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 202, Greenwich 203-629-9009 dentistofgreenwich.com

ADAM J. FREEMAN

Westport Dental Associates 329 Riverside Avenue, Westport 203-227-3709 westportdental.com

MARK S. DEWAELE

208 South Avenue, New Canaan 203-966-5944 newcanaanctdental.com

ROBERT GALELLA

JAMES H DOUNDOULAKIS

Ridgefield Dental Arts 42 Danbury Road, Ridgefield 203-438-2236 ridgefielddentalarts.com

Cosmetic Dental of Greenwich LLC 1 Webb Avenue, Old Greenwich 203-637-1141 cosmeticgreenwichct.com

JAMES T. BOWMAN

BRIAN S. DUCHAN

70 Strawberry Hill Avenue,

Westport Dental Associates

Dental Associates of Connecticut 36 Padanaram Road, Danbury 203-748-5717 dentalassociates.us

MARILYN GENI

Imperial Dental Associates 15 Imperial Avenue, Westport 203-227-2520 imperialdentalassociates .com

westportmag.com

MICHAEL D. GENTILE

49 Lake Avenue, Suite 203, Greenwich 203-869-2090 michaelgentiledds.com

TAHA GHOMI

Dental Associates of Connecticut 36 Padanaram Road, Danbury 203-748-5717 dentalassociates.us

PAMELA A. GIBSON

Southport Family Dental 10 John Street, Southport 203-255-5142 southportfamilydental.com

ALAN GOLDBERG

Goldberg & Marcus Dental Associates 1825 Barnum Avenue, Suite 303, Stratford 203-375-6090 goldbergmarcusdental.com

DANIELLE D. GOODWIN Goodwin Dental 31 River Road, Suite 300, Cos Cob 203-869-2552 dgoodwindds.com

KRISTY L. GRETZULA

Hawley Lane Dental 475 Hawley Lane, Suite 9, Stratford 203-377-9300 hawleylanedental.com

PAUL D. HARBOTTLE

New Canaan Dentistry 162 East Avenue, New Canaan 203-972-0588 paulharbottle.com

MATTHEW HERBSTMAN Dental Associates of Connecticut 36 Padanaram Road, Danbury 203-748-5717 dentalassociates.us

THOMAS J. KAHL

Greater Danbury Community Health Center 70 Main Street, Danbury 203-743-0100 findcare.nuvancehealth .org/provider/ Thomas+J.+Kahl/1746501

MASHA KOGAN

The Dental Center of Westport 175 Post Road West, Westport 203-227-8700 dentalcenterwestport.com

ALISON KUDISH

Trumbull Dental Arts 160 Hawley Lane, Suite 101, Trumbull 203-377-0638 trumbulldentist.com

MARYANN E. LEHMANN 5 Brook Street, Suite 1-B, Darien 203-655-0021 maldds.com

MICHAEL LEVIN

Levin Dental 1171 East Putnam Avenue, Suite 1-D, Riverside 203-637-5252 doclevindds.com

JAN LINHART

Linhart Dentistry 40 E. Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob 203-661-2279 drlindhart.com

ANDREW M. MARCUS

Goldberg & Marcus Dental Associates 1825 Barnum Avenue, Suite 303, Stratford 203-375-6090 goldbergmarcusdental.com

JACKQUELINE J. MCLEAN

Mclean Smiles 23 Hoyt Street, Suite 2, Stamford 203-364-5081 (new patients); STEPHANIE J. HOTCHKISS 203-327-6717 Greenwich Dental Group mcleansmiles.com 18 Fieldpoint Road, Greenwich WILLIAM J. MCPADDEN, JR. 203-869-3984 135 Anton Street, Bridgeport dentalinformation.com 203-371-6586

MANDEEP HURA

Community Health Center of Stamford 141 Franklin Street, Stamford 203-969-0802 chc1.com/Locations/ Stamford

MATTHEW J. IWINSKI

45 Pine Street, Suite 1-A, New Canaan 203-966-5606 matthewjiwinskidds.com

DANA C. JONES

Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center 162 Danbury Road, Ridgefield 203-493-0556 danajonesdds.com

JOSEPH D. MICELI

Middlesex Dental Group 106 Noroton Avenue, Suite 5, Darien 203-529-4682 dentist-darien.com

WAYNE A. MICHALKA

Commerce Park Cosmetic Dentistry 4699 Main Street, Suite 200, Bridgeport 203-372-3726 commerceparkcosmetic dds.com

DONALD W. MILLER

Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry 1275 Post Road, Suite 201, Fairfield

Leading With a Smile

225 TOP DENTISTS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

203-255-6878 fairfieldcosmetic dentistry.com

ANDREW L. MOGELOF

Mogelof Dental Group 2499 Main Street, Suite 5, Stratford 203-378-5588 drmogelof.com

SCOTT A. MOGELOF

Mogelof Dental Group 2499 Main Street, Suite 5, Stratford 203-378-5588 drmogelof.com

CARLA M. MONTEIRO

Goldberg & Marcus Dental Associates 1825 Barnum Avenue, Suite 303, Stratford 203-375-6090 goldbergmarcusdental .com

MICHAEL A. NOCERINO Michael Nocerino & Associates 1809 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield 203-335-4413 michaelnocerinodds.com

THOMAS M. OHLSON Comprehensive Dental Group 999 Summer Street, Suite 400, Stamford 203-359-3296 compdentalgroup.com

COLIN M. PECH

Darien Center for Dentistry 36 Old Kings Highway South, Suite 105, Darien 203-655-0667 dariendds.com

DAVID A. PEREIRA

Dental Arts of Darien 800 Post Road, Suite 301, Darien 203-656-8079 dentalartsofdarien.com

MICHAEL J. PIZZO

Ridgefield Cosmetic and General Dentistry 65 Danbury Road, Ridgefield 203-438-8866 ridgefielddentistry.com

DONALD A. POGODA 8 West End Avenue, Old Greenwich 203-637-0554

DUSTIN F. RABINE

Rabine Family Dentistry 865 River Road, Shelton 203-941-4912 (new patients); 203-375-1932 rabinefamilydentistry .com

PETER J. RATHMAN

125 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Suite 204, Stamford 203-327-1470 peterrathmandmd.com

PRASANNA L. RAVURI Merritt Dental Care 999 Summer Street, Suite 306, Stamford 203-356-9990 stamfordfamilydentist .com

STEVEN M. REGENSTEIN Esthetic Dental Group of Westport 327 Riverside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Westport 203-227-3421 edgw.us

MICHAEL J. REYNOLDS

2600 Post Road, Suite L-1, Southport 203-256-8900 michaelreynoldsdds.com

MARK S. ROISMAN

225 Main Street, Suite 304, Westport 203-227-6338 mywestportdentist.com

JOSEPH M. ROMANELLI 1411 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield 203-384-6389

FRANK J. ROMANO

valleygreenwichdental .com

JERRY M. SIMON

Dental Care of Stamford 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-580-6390 dentalcarestamford.com

Dental Care of Stamford 1500 Summer Street, Stamford (203) 580-6390 dentalcarestamford.com

KEITH L. RUDOLPH

25 Valley Drive, 2nd Floor, Greenwich 203-625-0301

284 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich 203-637-4660 doctorwhittle.com

391 East Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob 203-869-2066 greenwichdentistry.com

DAVID J. WOHL

The Center for Aesthetic and Comprehensive Dentistry 111 Beach Road, Fairfield 203-255-4001 drdavidwohl.com

5 Eversley Avenue, Norwalk 203-853-0669 tamuccidds.com 40 East Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob 203-622-4243

MASIS YETERIAN, JR.

15 Commerce Road, Suite 2, Stamford 203-965-7795 davidthibaultdmd.com

My Creative Dentist 211 East Putnam Avenue, Suite 2-6, Cos Cob 203-529-4217 (new patients); 203-869-2884 dentist-greenwich.com

CHRISTINE L. TIERNEY

DAVID A. ZADIK

DAVID J. THIBAULT

Beautiful Dentistry of Greenwich 40 East Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob 203-869-5400 beautifuldentistryof greenwich.com

Greenwich Dental Group 18 Fieldpoint Road, Greenwich 203-869-3984 greenwichdentalgroup .com

ADRIANA TORENA

1200 Linden Avenue, Stratford 203-378-0182

ROBERT N. TRAMPOSCH

FRANCIS SHIN

ERNEST J. WHITTLE III

MARK R. SUTTON

JOHN J. SCHINTO III

Perfect Smiles of Fairfield 60 Katona Drive, Suite 20, Fairfield 203-366-7655 perfectsmilesoffairfield .com

The Stein Dental Group 1081 Hope Street, Stamford 203-329-8444 thesteindentalgroup.com

153 East Avenue, Suite 23, Norwalk 203-838-9997 josephsuarezdds.com

140 Sherman Street, Suite 3-A, Fairfield 203-254-9533 drkeithrudolph.com

CAROLINE A. SHENKER

STEVE WECHSLER

JOSEPH P. SUAREZ

Allure Dental Group 4699 Main Street, Suite 101, Bridgeport 203-368-9016 dentistryfairfield.com

Schinto Dental 2001 West Main Street, Suite 110, Stamford 203-978-1184 schintodental.com

Brooklawn Dental Associates 990 Brooklawn Avenue, Bridgeport 203-335-6471 brooklawndental.com

The Stein Dental Group 1081 Hope Street, Stamford 203-329-8444 thesteindentalgroup.com

KENNETH B. TEMPLE

ZACHARY M. ROTH

ROBERT S. WARREN

MICHAEL B. STEIN

JON C. ROSENBLITT

1450 Washington Boulevard, Suite 105, Stamford 203-359-2244 roshdental.com

Vanlang & Essenfeld Family Dentistry 53 Old Kings Highway North, Darien 203-655-8887 dariendentists.com

148 East Avenue, Suite 3-J, Norwalk 203-866-0415 davidstebbinsdmd.com

JEFFREY A. TAMUCCI

DAVID ROSH

QUYNHCHI N. VANLANG

DAVID R. STEBBINS

2240 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport 203-372-0881 romanodental.com Rosenblitt Family Dentistry 251 Long Ridge Road, Stamford 203-348-1632 rosenblittdentistry.com

Greenwich 203-633-4927 greenwichfamilydental .com

MARK L. ZAMAT

Greenwich Smiles 25 Valley Drive, Greenwich 203-862-9000 greenwichsmiles.com

The Town Practice 500 West Putnam Avenue, 4th Floor, Greenwich 203-869-9252 treppandmiller.com

DONALD J. CASE

Stamford Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Arts 27 Bridge Street, Stamford 203-325-2661 stamfordoms.com

PAUL M. CIUCI

Milford & Derby Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 708 Boston Post Road, Milford 203-874-1664 ctomfs.com

CHRISTOPHER J. CUOMO

Northeast Implant & Oral Surgery 27 Hospital Avenue, Suite 203, Danbury 203-797-0008 neimplantandoralsurgery .com

ROOLS L. DESSIEUX

Dental Care of Stamford 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-580-6390 dentalcarestamford.com

NAUSHAD R. EDIBAM

Stamford Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Arts 27 Bridge Street, Stamford 203-325-2661 stamfordoms.com

SALVATORE J. FLORIO

The Facial Surgery Center 115 Technology Drive, Suite B-101, Trumbull 203-261-7800 drflorio.com

CHRISTINE L. HAMILTON-HALL

VASILIKI KARLIS

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons 107 Newtown Road, Suite 1A, Danbury 203-797-0012 aomspc.com

ABED ALKHATIB

Infinity Oral Surgery 49 Lake Avenue, Suite LL4, Greenwich 203-661-4231 infinityoralsurgery.com

Greenwich Cosmetic & Family Dentistry 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite G2,

ANTHONY J. CAMILLO

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

MICHELE S. BERGEN

GEORGE TSANGAROULIS

Fairfield Oral Surgery 760 Kings Highway West, Building B, Southport 203-259-2227 fairfieldoralsurgery.com

Aesthetic & Maxillofacial Surgery Center of Darien 777 Post Road, Suite 100, Darien 203-656-4466

Oral Surgery Associates 1305 Post Road, Suite 201, Fairfield 203-259-2665 oralsurgeryassociatesct .com

DOUGLAS M. TREPP

TODD E. BLOOM

Maxillofacial Surgery of Greenwich 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 205, Greenwich 203-717-1222 maxfacsgreenwich.com

KEVIN S. MCLAUGHLIN

Norwalk Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants 148 East Avenue, Suite 2F, Norwalk 203-866-0061 norwalkoms.com

PHILIP F. PACELLI III

New Canaan Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 166 Cherry Street, Suite A, New Canaan 203-972-1581 newcanaanoralsurgery .com

ALAN R. RISSOLO

Oral Surgeons Associates 10 Mott Avenue, Suite 4B, Norwalk 203-853-0500 norwalkdentalimplant .com

MICHAEL F. TROFA

Norwalk Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implants 148 East Avenue, Suite 2-F, Norwalk 203-866-0061 norwalkoms.com

HOWARD B. TWERSKY Oral Surgery Associates 4747 Main Street, Bridgeport 203-371-5595 oralsurgeryassociatesct .com

JOSEPH F. WALLACE III Greenwich Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 23 Maple Avenue, Greenwich 203-661-5858 greenwichoralsurgery .com

THOMAS B. WILSON

Greenwich Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 23 Maple Avenue, Greenwich 203-661-5858 greenwichoralsurgery .com

ROBERT M. YUDELL

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center of Stamford 90 Morgan Street, Suite 207, Stamford 203-327-9966 oralsurgeryofstamford .com

BRETT ZUCKMAN

Greenwich Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 23 Maple Avenue, Greenwich 203-661-5858 greenwichoralsurgery .com

ORTHODONTICS FIGEN A. BAYDUR

Baydur Orthodontics 1817 Black Rock Turnpike, Suite 104, Fairfield 203-333-0050 drbaydur.com

PATRICIA A. BENDICK Fairfield Orthodontic Associates 111 Beach Road, Fairfield 203-256-9500

Leading With a Smile 225 TOP DENTISTS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

fairfieldorthodontic associates.com

JOHN S. BIBKO

JB Orthodontics 346 Main Avenue, Suite D, Norwalk 203-866-7806 jborthodonticsct.com

ORESTA L. BILOUS

Bilous Orthodontics 52 Beach Road, Suite 206, Fairfield 203-255-2677 bilous-ortho.com

CASS D. BURRELL

First Impressions Orthodontics 1476 Post Road, Fairfield 203-292-9595 fairfieldorthodontist.com

STEPHEN N. CAGLIOSTRO Westwalk Orthodontic Group 1460 Post Road East, Suite 9, Westport 203-857-9475 westwalkortho.com

TIFFANY CHRISTENSEN

Greenwich Braces 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 204, Greenwich 203-869-2044 greenwichbraces.com

DAVID H. COWIN

CT Braces 53 North Street, Danbury 203-664-5833 ctbraces.com

ALIKA L. CREW

The Stein Dental Group 1081 Hope Street, Stamford 203-329-8444 thesteindentalgroup.com

JEFFREY S. DRAYER

203-348-7571 galloisortho.com

STEVE GIANNOUTSOS

Georgetown Orthodontics 73 Redding Road, Georgetown 203-544-9338 georgetownorthodontics .com

ROBERT B. GOLDMAN

Goldman Orthodontic Arts 1200 High Ridge Road, Suite 5, Stamford 203-329-2712 goldmanorthodontics .com

NIKA GRIGAITIS

Blue Wave Orthodontics 777 Boston Post Road, Suite 300, Darien 203-202-7610 bluewaveorthodontics .com

EROL GUND

Dental Associates of Connecticut 36 Padanaram Road, Danbury 203-748-5717 dentalassociates.us

SCOTT L. KESSELMAN

Riverside Orthodontics 1171 East Putnam Avenue, Building 2, Riverside 203-450-4969 riversideortho.net

BLAINE J. LANGBERG

17 Danbury Road, Suite 6, Ridgefield 203-431-4466 braceyourselves.com

FERNANDA D. MARCHI

Stamford Orthodontics 999 Summer Street, Suite 201, Stamford 203-325-3331 stamfordortho.com

Fairfield County Orthodontics 1275 Post Road, Suite 211, Fairfield 203-292-6644 bracesfairfield.com

EMILY C. DRIESMAN

GREGORY A. MCKENNA

Embrace Orthodontics 24 Imperial Avenue, Westport 203-227-6061 westportortho.com

AUSTIN W. FEENEY

45 Pine Street, New Canaan 203-966-3042 feeneysmiles.com

PETER FEIBISH

Dental Care of Stamford 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-580-6390 dentalcarestamford.com

MARK P. FEINBERG 4 Corporate Drive, Suite 195, Shelton 203-513-2014 feinsmiles.com

ROBERT J. GALLOIS

Gallois Orthodontics 125 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford

McKenna Orthodontics 131 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury 203-790-9155 mckennaortho.com

GARY L. OPIN

Opin Wide! Orthodontics 266 South Broad Street, Milford 203-877-3231 opinorthodontics.com

M. BINA PARK

Dr. Bina Park Orthodontics 42 Sherwood Place, Greenwich 203-900-1111 drbinapark.com

ALLAN S. PHILLIPS Braces CT 8 Prospect Street, Ridgefield 203-438-6922 bracesct.com

MARY E. RITTER

Commerce Park Childrens Dentistry & Orthodontics 4702 Main Street, Bridgeport 203-371-8282 commerceparkdental .com

ROSEMARY RYAN

Greenwich Braces 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 204, Greenwich 203-869-2044 greenwichbraces.com

GREGORY W. SANFORD

Sanford Orthodontics 44 Old Ridgefield Road, Suite 218, Wilton 203-762-2322 sanfordorthodontics.com

203-422-5437 greenwichkidsdentist .com

PERIODONTICS

DURGESH A. KUDCHADKAR

Dental Care Kids 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-409-9162 dentalcarekids.com

Advanced Periodontics & Dental Implants 324 Elm Street, Suite 103A, Monroe 203-712-0917 (new patients); 203-268-2000 connecticutperiodontist .com

GORDON K. LEE

ROBERT CHUNG

Westport Pediatric Dentistry 305 Post Road East, Westport 203-226-5500 zerocavityzone.com

Periodontal Associates 4 Dearfield Drive, Suite 201, Greenwich 203-661-3733 ctperio.com

MEENAKSHI MADHU

273 Post Road West, Suite 1, Westport 203-226-7788 davidsonperio.com

Sensitive Care Dental 55 Old Gate Lane, Milford 203-951-5540 sensitivecare.net

UTTAMPAL SINGH

Dental Care Orthodontics 1500 Summer Street, Stamford (203) 580-6330 dentalcareorthodontics .com

VICTOR PARDI

MONICA A. TEREDESAI Smile Art Orthodontics 126 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton 203-210-7375 smileartortho.com

Garrick F. Wong DMD Orthodontics 453 East Putnam Avenue, 2nd Floor, Cos Cob 203-625-9888 drgarrickfwong.com Dental Care of Stamford 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-580-6390 dentalcarestamford.com

GREGORY S. MOKOTOFF

DAVID S. GOTTLIEB

HANNAH AHN

Westport Dental Associates 329 Riverside Avenue, Westport 203-227-3709 westportdental.com

TERENCE S. JACKSON

GABRIELLE SYKOFF

SELMA KAPLAN

HIROSHI TSUYUKI

ALEXI M. DAMASCUS Ridgefield Pediatric Dentistry 22 Prospect Street, Ridgefield 203-403-3009 ridgefieldpd.com

Kids First Pediatric Dentistry 1478 Post Road, Fairfield 203-255-6851 kidsfirstdentistry.com

LILIAN R. VIERA

15 Roseville Road, Westport 203-227-8990 jennymathews-perio.com

Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group 4 Dearfield Drive, Greenwich 203-422-5437 greenwichkidsdentist.com

Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group 4 Dearfield Drive, Greenwich

westportmag.com

Periodontics & Dental Implants 10 Mott Avenue, Suite 4A, Norwalk 203-635-4250 norwalkperio.com

RUI “RAY” MA

STACY ZARAKIOTISALEXANDROU

EMILY GABELERMANHEIMER

Periodontics & Implant Dentistry Center 47 Oak Street, Suite 6, Stamford 203-252-2252 stamfordperio.com

Dentistry for Children 149 East Avenue, Suite 21, Norwalk 203-838-4191 dentistryforchildrenct .com Children’s Dental Care of Norwalk 10 Mott Avenue, Suite 4C, Norwalk 203-866-5020 childrensdentalcareof norwalkllc.com

JENNIFER D. EPSTEIN

Periodontology Associates of Norwalk 10 Mott Avenue, Suite 1-C, Norwalk 203-853-1120 perioimplantsofnorwalk .com

Commerce Park Childrens Dentistry & Orthodontics 4702 Main Street, Bridgeport 203-371-8282 commerceparkdental .com Dental Care Kids 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-409-9162 dentalcarekids.com

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

LAWRENCE A. DELIBERO

Fairfield County Periodontics & Dental Implants 115 Technology Drive, Suite C-304, Trumbull 203-459-1210 drdelibero.com

ANDREW SPADINGER

SIMON ZMUIDZINAS

BRUCE K. DAVIDSON

Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics of Greenwich 1212 East Putnam Avenue, Riverside 203-698-0794 childrensdentistryand orthodontics.com

Kids First Pediatric Dentistry 1478 Post Road, Fairfield 203-255-6851 kidsfirstdentistry.com

GARRICK F. WONG

RICHARD F. AMATO

1047 Old Post Road, Fairfield 203-254-2006 sonickdmd.com

JENNY MATHEWS

BRETE D. MORAN 67 Cherry Street, Milford 203-876-0304 drbretemoran.com

RANDALL H. NEICHIN

Dental Care of Stamford 1500 Summer Street, Stamford 203-580-6390 dentalcarestamford.com

MICHAEL SONICK

Fairfield County Implants and Periodontics 1047 Old Post Road, Fairfield 203-254-2006 sonickdmd.com

E. J. TRAYNOR

Traynor Periodontics & Implants 15 Valley Drive Suite 302, Greenwich 203-661-5885 tpigreenwich.com

PERRY A. WASSERLAUF

Fairfield Periodontics 71 Beach Road, Fairfield 203-255-7771 fairfieldperiodontics.com

PROSTHODONTICS JOHN CORINO

Norwalk Dental Arts 10 Mott Avenue, Suite 2C, Norwalk 203-854-9565 norwalkdentalarts.com

JACK DEGRADO

Stamford Dental Group 47 Oak Street, Suite 220, Stamford 203-325-4700 stamforddentalgroup.com

MARIE E. FALCONE

Dental Specialists of Darien 24 Old Kings Highway South, Suite 101, Darien 203-836-2744 dentalspecialistsofdarien .com

KIMBERLY A. FARRELL

Westport Dental Associates 329 Riverside Avenue, Westport 203-227-3709 westportdental.com

STANLEY P. FREEMAN

Westport Dental Associates 329 Riverside Avenue, Westport 203-227-3709 westportdental.com

JEFFREY D. O’CONNELL Gold Coast Dental 1177 Post Road, Suite 2A, Fairfield 203-292-9292 goldcoastdentalpros.com

STEVEN J. ROTHENBERG

Dental Specialists of Darien 24 Old Kings Highway South, Suite 1, Darien 203-836-2744 dentalspecialistsofdarien .com

MIN-SUNG YOON

Evergreen Family Dental & Southbury Smiles 1300 Post Road, Suite 101, Fairfield 203-259-7870 evergreenfamilydental group.com G

HOW IT’S DONE METHODOLOGY BEHIND THE TOP DENTISTS LIST This list is excerpted from the 2021 topDentists™ list, a database that includes listings of more than 220 dentists and specialists in the Fairfield County area. The list is based on thousands of detailed evaluations of dental professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at usatopdentists.com. For more information call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com

SELECTION PROCESS “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” This is the question we’ve asked thousands of dentists to help us determine who the topDentists should be. Dentists and specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and, of course, physical results. The nomination pool of dentists consists of all dentists listed online with the American Dental Association as well as dentists listed online with their local dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists that they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peers’ work when evaluating the other nominees. Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with. Once the balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases are given a careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and comments are taken into consideration while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received and status in various dental academies can play a factor in our decision. Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board. Then letters of congratulations are sent to all the listed dentists. Of course, there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in the United States. A dentist’s inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, we remain confident that our polling methodology largely corrects for any biases and that these lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful list of dentists available anywhere.

DISCLAIMER This list is excerpted from 2021 the topDentists™ list, which includes listings for over 220 dentists and specialists in the Fairfield County area. For more information call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com or visit www.usatopdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2010-2021 by topDentists, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

MEET FLOWCODE, THE NEXT GENERATION OF QR CODES

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

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2021 Dental

PROFILES Show Off Your Smile

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

VITALII M - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Did you know that having healthy teeth, mouth and gums plays a vital role in your overall health? Your dentist can help decrease your risk of not only gum disease, tooth decay and halitosis, but also other issues such as stroke or heart attack. Finding the right dentist can be a challenge, so we’ve made it easier for you. The following pages introduce some of Fairfield County’s most prominent dental professionals who put your oral health at the forefront of their priorities. Choose a trusted individual to provide you and your family with the utmost care you deserve. A happy smile is a healthy one.

2021 | Dental PROFILES

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Emily Driesman and the incredible staff of Embrace Orthodontics have been providing families in Fairfield County superior orthodontic care for a decade. Growing from her original office in Westport, Dr. Emily Driesman (“Dr. Emily”), has now expanded her locations to include a second state of the art office in Stamford. With a passion for creating a comfortable atmosphere and a “concierge type practice,” Dr. Emily prides herself on not only creating beautiful, healthy and functional smiles, but also cultivating relationships with each patient she treats. Having grown up in Fairfield County, Dr. Emily can relate to her patients and truly loves practicing in the area she grew up, is raising her two children, and

Emily Driesman, DDS EMBRACE ORTHODONTICS SPECIALTY: Orthodontics Westport Location: 24 Imperial Ave, Westport, CT 06880 Stamford Location: 61 Fourth Street, Stamford, CT 06905 203.227.6061 westportortho.com

Dr. Jan Linhart Dr. Zachary Linhart Dr. Hayley Bindner LINHART DENTISTRY SPECIALTY: Restorative, cosmetic, & multispecialty dentistry Greenwich 40 E. Putnam Ave Cos Cob, CT 203.661.2279 greenwich@drlinhart.com NYC 230 Park Avenue New York, NY 212.682.5180 info@drlinhart.com

Linhart Dentistry, with over 40 years of expertise in Midtown Manhattan, has expanded into Greenwich! “We are old-world service and charm in a modern, stateof-the-art environment”, says Dr. Jan Linhart and Dr. Zachary Linhart, “our history is deeply rooted in New York City, but our story began in Europe, and our patients are from all over the world. We always knew Greenwich would be the next point of expansion, and we are excited to have established our new office in Cos Cob, right in the middle of town.” In 1979, Dr. Jan Linhart opened the doors to Linhart Dentistry in NYC’s iconic Helmsley Building, steps from Grand Central Terminal. There, Dr. Linhart built a most impressive, full-service dental practice, from fullmouth cosmetic cases to comprehensive general care.

NY Magazine referred to the practice as “One-Stop Dental Perfection!” In 2010, Dr. Zachary Linhart joined the practice after following in his father’s footsteps of attending Bowdoin College and NYU College of Dentistry. He added his expertise in implantology, and echoing his father, an eye for cosmetic dentistry. Their NYC staff of over 25 consists of top in-house specialists including a Periodontist (gum and implant specialist), Endodontist (Root Canal Specialist), Orthodontist (braces and Invisalign specialist) as well as hygienists, assistants and administrative staff - many of whom have been there for more than twenty years! It’s clear both doctors have the skill and the talent, and their unparalleled abilities to create the most stunning, natural smiles is at the foundation of their world-renowned

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is so fond of! At Embrace Orthodontics, Dr. Emily and her staff are committed to obtaining exceptional results using the latest technolgies including 3D diagnosis and treatment planning, iTero scanning, Damon Braces, Invisalign clear aligners and inBraces lingual braces. Dr. Emily is a boardcertified orthodontist, an accolade that only one third of her profession has been awarded. Dr. Emily Driesman is humbled to be voted by her peers five years in a row as one of Moffly Media’s Top Dentists. Embrace Orthodontics looks forward to welcoming new patients to the practice and giving them a reason to ‘Smile Big.’ Be sure to sure to check out our Instagram handle: @embrace.your.smile

reputations as leaders in cosmetic and restorative family dentistry. When Dr. Zachary Linhart moved to Greenwich in 2016 with his young family, he was returning to the area, having grown up in nearby Purchase, NY and graduating from RCDS. At this point, the plan to extend their NYC practice was set in motion. It wasn’t until the Covid pandemic that Dr. Zachary Linhart fully realized the positive impact a Greenwich practice would have for current Linhart Dentistry patients, as well as other local residents. “Our added location in this beautiful, suburban environment has provided more, and easier opportunities to keep up with regular dental care. We are so pleased to be offering our services in Greenwich, and look forward to welcoming the community to our new office!”

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2021 | Dental PROFILES

Where did you go to school?

Steven Brody, D.D.S.: Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry; Yale-New Haven/Hospital Saint Raphael—Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency; Beaumont U.S. Army Medical Center—General Practice Residency Joseph Wallace, D.D.S.: Georgetown University School of Dentistry; Washington Hospital Center—Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Thomas Wilson, D.D.S., M.D.: Columbia University School of Dentistry; Columbia University School of Physicians and Surgeons; NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital— Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency; NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital—General Surgery Internship Brett Zuckman, D.M.D.: Temple University School of Dentistry; Lincoln Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical College—Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency

What distinguishes your practice?

Founded in 1984, Greenwich Oral Surgery treats each patient with the care and attention that has come to be our hallmark. Each of our doctors is Board Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and holds memberships in many dental and medical organizations. Our doctors, with appointments to the staffs of Greenwich Hospital, NewYorkPresbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, afford our patients the highest standard of care. Our patients have the advantage of the collaborative nature of our practice. Frequently, diagnostic consultations and surgical procedures can receive the attention of multiple members of our group. Our practice consists of two state-ofthe-art offices. At least one of our doctors is available 24/7, 365 days per year. We are also proud to note that our doctors have been awarded Top Dentist status every year.

What procedures does your practice provide?

Some of the procedures offered are: dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, bone grafting, pediatric procedures, TMJ treatments, reconstructive jaw surgery, facial trauma, oral pathology, and cosmetic procedures such as Botox® and fillers.

Steven Brody, D.D.S., Joseph Wallace, D.D.S., Thomas Wilson, D.D.S., M.D., Brett Zuckman, D.M.D. GREENWICH ORAL SURGERY

SPECIALTY: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Implant Surgery 23 Maple Avenue, Greenwich, CT | 203.661.5858 3010 Westchester Avenue, Suite 306, Purchase, NY | 914.253.9088 | greenwichoralsurgery.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 WESTPORT

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MARA MILLER Carrier and Company

JUDGES

JESSE CARRIER Carrier and Company

BRIAN SAWYER Sawyer | Berson

EDWARD SIEGEL Edward Siegel Architect

WINNERS REVEALED AT OUR CELEBRATION ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT 6 PM AT THE VILLAGE, STAMFORD’S NEWEST WATERFRONT DESTINATION!

A-List Awards 2021

KEITH WILLIAMS Nievera Williams

12 ANNUAL

athome magazine presents the

BRITT ZUNINO Studio DB

DAMIAN ZUNINO Studio DB

Scan here to see the finalist projects, our sponsors and our judges!

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AWARD SPONSOR

GIFT BAG SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSORS

our sponsors

JEWELRY SPONSOR

We hope this year’s set of finalists, with their innovative and imaginative projects, is just the inspiration you have been looking for to reimagine your own living spaces. The winner of each category will be revealed on September 14, 2021 at our networking gala and awards ceremony. We wish our finalists much luck, and we thank all who entered, as well as our judges and our generous sponsors, who have made this celebration possible.

The following is a listing of the 2021 A-List Awards finalists by category. Please note that this listing includes the entrant’s name and contact information for each finalist project. To view the full list of professionals credited for each project as well as a project photo, please visit athomealistawards.com to view our digital A-list Awards program. Each finalist “page” can be shared on social media, and the link to each page can be included on a website or forwarded via email.

Our local design community is truly a community, and that has never been more evident than during the past eighteen months. It’s a community built on supportive partnerships, behind-the-scenes collaborations, and problem-solving and magic-making, and when faced with unprecedented challenges, this community proved how essential good design is to living life to the fullest. This year’s A-List competition is full of luxurious yet livable spaces that convey the caliber of talent that exists in this community. Our esteemed panel of judges had the very difficult task of determining the finalists from a truly impressive pool of submissions, and we thank our judges for giving their time and expertise to this year’s competition.

Welcome to athome magazine’s twelfth annual A-List Awards.

TOGETHER BY DESIGN

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Karen Bow Interiors @karenbowinteriors Karen Bow Interiors Darien; 914-953-1517 karenbow.com

Hemingway Fine Homes @hemingwayconstruction Hemingway Fine Homes Greenwich; 203-625-0566 hemingwayconstruction.com

BATH DESIGN: Transitional/Modern

Karen Bow Interiors @karenbowinteriors Karen Bow Interiors Darien; 914-953-1517 karenbow.com

Green & Grain Style @greenandgrainstyle Jenn Cutler Green & Grain Style Redding; 310-844-8181 greenandgrainstyle.com

Douglas VanderHorn Architects @dvharchitects Douglas VanderHorn, Principal David Milliken, Project Manager Douglas VanderHorn Architects Greenwich; 203-622-7000 vanderhornarchitects.com

BATH DESIGN: Trad/Classic

Brooke Crew Interiors @brookecrewinteriors Brooke Crew Interiors Weston; 214-546-8562 brookecrewinteriors.com

KID/TEEN BEDROOM

Thompson Raissis Architects @thompson_raissis_architects Thompson Raissis Architects Darien; 203-399-0100 tr-architects.com

Olivia Charney Interior Design @oliviacharneyinteriordesign Olivia Charney Interior Design Fairfield; 203-292-5618 oliviacharney.com

Laura Kaehler Architects @laurakaehlerarchitects Laura Kaehler, Project Designer Dave Reilly, Project Architect Laura Kaehler Architects Riverside; 203-629-4646 kaehlerarchitects.com

Hine Builders @timhine Hine Builders Southport; 203-255-5508 timhine.com

Carol Kurth Architecture @carolkurth Carol J. W. Kurth, FAIA ASID John Rapetti, Assoc. AIA Carol Kurth Architecture Bedford, NY; 914-234-2595 carolkurtharchitects.com

MODERN ARCHITECTURE

William Lyon Designs @williamlyondesigns William Lyon Designs Stamford; 203-489-5624 williamlyondesigns.com

lulu HOME @luluhome.cami @luluhome.alana Cami Luppino Alana Irwin lulu HOME Greenwich, CT and Bedford, NY; 914-234-8684 luluhomedesign.com

Laura Kaehler Architects @laurakaehlerarchitects Laura Kaehler, Project Designer Matt Arnott, Project Architect Laura Kaehler Architects Riverside; 203-629-4646 kaehlerarchitects.com

ENTRYWAY

D2 Interieurs @d2interieurs Denise Davies D2 Interieurs Weston; 646-326-7042 d2interieurs.com

Saniee Architects, LLC Saniee Architects, LLC Greenwich; 203-625-9308 sanieearchitects.com

Rinfret, Ltd. @rinfretltd Rinfret, Ltd. Greenwich; 203-622-0000 rinfretltd.com

Olivia Charney Interior Design @oliviacharneyinteriordesign Olivia Charney Interior Design Fairfield; 203-292-5618 oliviacharney.com

Douglas VanderHorn Architects @dvharchitects Douglas VanderHorn Douglas VanderHorn Architects Greenwich; 203-622-7000 vanderhornarchitects.com

Deane, Inc. @kitchensbydeane Ingrid Becker Deane, Inc. Stamford; 203-327-7008 deaneinc.com

KITCHEN DESIGN: Trad/Classic

Oliver Wilson Construction Oliver Wilson Construction Westport; 203-820-5847 oliverwilsonconstruction.com

AWARDS CELEBRATION / SEPTEMBER 14 / 6 PM

Scott Springer Architect @scottspringerarchitect Scott Springer Architect Westport; 203-690-7197 scottspringerarchitect.com

David LaPierre, Project Manager Robert A. Cardello Architects Westport; 203-853-2524 cardelloarchitects.com Veronica Campbell Deane, Inc. Stamford; 203-327-7008 deaneinc.com

Robert A. Cardello Architects with Deane, Inc. @cardelloarchitects @kitchensbydeane

D2 Interieurs @d2interieurs Denise Davies D2 Interieurs Weston; 646-326-7042 d2interieurs.com

Calla Cane @callacane Calla Cane Solana Beach, CA; 858-345-1975 callacane.com

KITCHEN DESIGN: Transitional/Modern

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To better serve our clients, Tischler offers thermally broken, laser-cut stainless steel and an aluminum sliding operating system capable of sizes up to thirty-nine feet by ten feet, eight inches and fixed units up to twenty feet by ten feet, six inches. This product incorporates a revolutionary patented pneumatic gasket system that can withstand extreme wind pressure. All products are available with specifications that meet Florida Building Code requirements for hurricane impact resistance, and air and water infiltration. Tischler products are delivered ready-to-install by our factory-trained technicians.

Tischler products are manufactured in our environmentally and computer-controlled facility. These products consist of both European and domestic-style profiles and continue to be the benchmark in the industry, providing unsurpassed quality and durability.

Tischler und Sohn manufactures custom mahogany wood windows and doors in Germany.

tischlerwindows.com

WEBSITE:

203-674-0600

PHONE:

Six Suburban Avenue Stamford, CT 06901

ADDRESS:

Tischler und Sohn (USA) Ltd.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Tischler und sohn (Usa) ltd. six suburban avenue, stamford, cT 06901 www.tischlerwindows.com

Tischler WindoWs and doors. Uncommon. Uncompromising.

AWARDS CELEBRATION / SEPTEMBER 14 / 6 PM

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The company’s success is marked by their transparency, synergy and determination to adhere to the values and client services that make the company great.

The company sustains strong, collaborative relationships with the most respected architects and designers in the construction industry. They employ experienced, dedicated professionals and talented craftsmen to plan and execute every step of the “Hobbs Approach” for each project. Whether renovating an apartment in New York City, constructing a waterfront home in the Hamptons or building a family retreat in Connecticut, each team is in constant communication to deliver a superior building experience from concept to completion and beyond. Hobbs Care, a division of Hobbs, Inc., is available to clients to provide comprehensive maintenance programs, renovations and continual home improvement services.

Hobbs, Inc. is an award-winning builder of distinctive homes in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Brothers Scott and Ian Hobbs are proud to honor the legacy of integrity, quality and client service instilled by their grandfather and founder, Theodore deFreyne Hobbs, over six decades ago.

hobbsinc.com; hobbs-care.com

WEBSITES:

203-966-0726

PHONE:

Hobbs Care: New Canaan, CT | Saddle River, NJ

Hobbs, Inc: New Canaan, CT | New York, NY Saddle River, NJ | Bridgehampton, NY

ADDRESS:

Hobbs, Inc.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

203.966.0726

www.hobbsinc.com

CONNECTICUT • NEW YORK • NEW JERSEY

DISTINCTIVE HOMES, ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS

Jane Beiles Photography Interior Design by Lynn Morgan Brooks & Falotico Associates, Inc.

AWARDS CELEBRATION / SEPTEMBER 14 / 6 PM

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Our sales team would be happy to visit your job site or home for a free estimate for your dream project! Please give us a call at (845) 452-8444 or email us at info@fairviewhearthside.com and we will be happy to speak with you.

Our pledge is to deliver an extraordinary service while maintaining a high level of professionalism, integrity, foresight, and fairness. We are committed to growing Fairview Hearthside through complete customer satisfaction.

Each project that Fairview Hearthside is involved in takes careful thought and planning and we pride ourselves on the ability to work with the customer in choosing the fireplace that best suits their style and needs. Fairview Hearthside offers many services to complete your project, from designing the look that you want to achieve through the follow-up maintenance of your hearth product for years to come. We maintain a staff of experienced, well-traveled and fully ensured technicians, as well as specialists in our Sales/ Design team and we are confident that your project will be handled with professionalism, thoroughness, cleanliness, and with safety in mind.

For over 40 years, Fairview Hearthside is the Hudson Valley’s first name in hearth products. We recently added an outdoor showroom at 68 Violet Avenue in Poughkeepsie, NY, displaying our artisanal pre-cast concrete fire bowls and continue to serve builders, architects, and designers with the very best of the hearth industry, including gas and wood fireplaces and log sets.

fairviewhearthside.com

WEBSITE:

845-452-8444

PHONE:

68 Violet Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

ADDRESS:

Fairview Hearthside

PRESENTING SPONSOR

OF To p D i s t r iTOP b u t oDISTRIBUTOR r of

68 Violet Avenue | Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Call for a free estimate: 845 452-8444 fairviewhearthside.com

The Leader in Sales and Installation of The Leader in Sales and Installation of Fireplaces and Outdoor Kitchens Serving Fireplaces and Hearth Products Serving Fairfi eldOutdoor and Westchester Counties Fairfield and Westchester Counties

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Devore Associates @landscapesofdevoreassociates Devore Associates Fairfield; 203-256-8950 devoreassoc.com

LANDSCAPE: Greater Than 1 Acre

Roughan Interiors @roughaninteriors Roughan Interiors Weston, CT and New York City; 203-769-1150 roughaninteriors.com

Kimberly Handler Designs @kimberlyhandlerdesigns Kimberly Handler Designs Greenwich; 203-340-9213 kimberlyhandlerdesigns.com

Karen Bow Interiors @karenbowinteriors Karen Bow Interiors Darien; 914-953-1517 karenbow.com

Crina Popescu Studio @crina_popescu Crina Popescu Studio Westport; 203-507-7979 crinapopescu.com

Charles Hilton Architects @charleshiltonarchitects Charles Hilton, Principal Daniel Pardy, Associate Partner and Project Manager Charles Hilton Architects Greenwich; 203-489-3800 hiltonarchitects.com

LIVING SPACE

Renée Byers Landscape Architect @reneebyers_landscapearchitect Renée Byers Landscape Architect, P.C. Greenwich; 203-489-0800 reneebyers.com

James Doyle Design Associates @jamesdoyledesignassociates James Doyle Design Associates Greenwich; 203-869-2900 jdda.com

LANDSCAPE: Less Than 1 Acre

Renée Byers Landscape Architect @reneebyers_landscapearchitect Renée Byers Landscape Architect, P.C. Greenwich; 203-489-0800 reneebyers.com

Louis Fusco Landscape Architects @fusco_landscape_architect Louis Fusco Landscape Architects Pound Ridge, NY; 914-764-9123 louisfusco.com

James Doyle Design Associates @jamesdoyledesignassociates James Doyle Design Associates Greenwich; 203-869-2900 jdda.com

Haver & Skolnick Architects @haverskolnickarchitects Charles Haver Stewart Skolnick Haver & Skolnick Architects Roxbury; 860-354-1031 haverskolnickarchitects.com

PLAY SPACE: ADULT

Karen Bow Interiors @karenbowinteriors Karen Bow Interiors Darien; 914-953-1517 karenbow.com

Georgia Zikas Design @georgiazikasdesign Georgia Zikas Design West Hartford; 860-904-5902 georgiazikasdesign.com

Douglas VanderHorn Architects @dvharchitects Douglas VanderHorn, Principal David Milliken, Project Manager Douglas VanderHorn Architects Greenwich; 203-622-7000 vanderhornarchitects.com

OFFICE/LIBRARY

Sean Jancski Landscape Architects @sjlandscapearchitects Sean Jancski Landscape Architects Rye, NY; 914-967-1904 sjlandscapearchitects.com

lulu HOME @luluhome.cami @luluhome.alana Cami Luppino Alana Irwin lulu HOME Greenwich and Bedford, NY; 914-234-8684 luluhomedesign.com

PLAY SPACE: KID

Robert A. Cardello Architects @cardelloarchitects Rachelle Roll, Project Manager Robert A. Cardello Architects Westport; 203-853-2524 cardelloarchitects.com

Kimberly Handler Designs @kimberlyhandlerdesigns Kimberly Handler Designs Greenwich; 917-414-4507 kimberlyhandlerdesigns.com

Karen Bow Interiors @karenbowinteriors Karen Bow Interiors Darien; 914-953-1517 karenbow.com

J.P. Franzen Associates Architects @jpfranzenarchitects John P. Franzen, FAIA David Furman Robert Avery J.P. Franzen Associates Architects, P.C. Southport; 203-259-0529 franzenarchitects.com

AWARDS CELEBRATION / SEPTEMBER 14 / 6 PM

Olivia Charney Interior Design @oliviacharneyinteriordesign Olivia Charney Interior Design Fairfield; 203-292-5618 oliviacharney.com

Clean Design @cleandesignpartners Claire Paquin Clean Design Scarsdale, NY; 914-725-0995 cleandesignpartners.com

Charles Hilton Architects @charleshiltonarchitects Charles Hilton, Principal Daniel Pardy, Associate Partner and Project Manager Charles Hilton Architects Greenwich; 203-489-3800 hiltonarchitects.com

Calla Cane @callacane Calla Cane Solana Beach, CA; 858-345-1975 callacane.com

RENOVATION

Smart Playrooms @smartplayrooms Karri Bowen-Poole Smart Playrooms Rye, NY; 914-260-3042 smartplayrooms.com

Smart D2 Playrooms @smartd2playrooms Denise Davies Karri Bowen-Poole Smart D2 Playrooms Weston; 914-260-3042 smartd2playrooms.com

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Alexis also understands the complexities and needs of small businesses. As a result, SD Showroom offers ongoing opportunities to help foster designers’ professional growth and development, with a full calendar of networking events and seminars. And there is also a loyalty program offering spendable credits as a way to further build business for interior designers.

What began as a family-run furniture store seventy years ago by Alexis’ grandfather, has evolved into a design destination for innovators across the tri-state area. Throughout its rich history, SD Showroom has been at the forefront of the interior design industry, known for its exceptional customer service and emphasis on the design experience.

Exclusive to the trade, SD Showroom helps clients build their businesses. The team provides end-to-end expertise and support, from research through delivery and follow-up customer service.

Schwartz Design Showroom (SD Showroom) is a 5,500-square-foot showroom exclusive to the trade, located in the Stamford Waterside Design District. The stunning showroom offers area interior designers and architects a unique experience, one that infuses seventy years of industry experience with the forward-thinking vision and creativity of former marketing executive, owner Alexis Varbero.

@schwartzdesignshowroom

INSTAGRAM:

schwartzdesignshowroom.com

WEBSITE:

203-817-0433

PHONE:

330 Fairfield Avenue Stamford, CT 06901

ADDRESS:

Schwartz Design Showroom

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PALECEK

ARTERIORS

PALECEK

ALFONSO MARINA

BERNHARDT

S C H WA R T Z D E S I G N S H O W R O O M . C O M

@ S C H WA R T Z D E S I G N S H O W R O O M

AN INTERIORS COLLECTIVE, CUR ATED FOR THE TR ADE

SCHWARTZ DESIGN SHOWROOM

CMO

SHINE BY SHO

HARTMANN&FORBES

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Ring’s End, a Connecticut-based lumber and building materials retailer, serves the CT shoreline, South County, RI, and Southern Westchester County, NY. Founded in 1902 in Darien, Ring’s End today has nine full-service lumberyards, ten free-standing paint centers, most with dedicated design and décor showrooms, a commercial paint and lacquer facility, a custom millwork shop, a centralized distribution warehouse, and an education center. Ring’s End is the largest retailer of both Marvin windows and doors and Benjamin Moore paint in the Northeast. This family-run company remains true to its founding principles, catering to builders, remodelers and homeowners alike with an inventory of only the highest-quality materials, a reputation for superior service, and a commitment to the local communities. Over the course of its 118-year history, Ring’s End has increased their product offerings and embraced technology with the launch of an e-commerce website to supplement its brick and mortar stores, complement the modern shopping experience, and cater to a diverse demographic.

RingsEnd.com

WEBSITE:

800-390-1000

PHONE:

181 West Avenue Darien, CT 06820

ADDRESS:

Ring’s End

PRESENTING SPONSOR

MARVIN SIGNATURE™ COLLECTION

MODERN

AWARDS CELEBRATION / SEPTEMBER 14 / 6 PM

RingsEnd.com 800 • 390 • 1000

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Learn more at marvin.com.

Driven by a spirit of possibility, our commitment to people goes beyond the products we make. We commit to long-lasting and trusting relationships with our employees, customers, channel partners and communities.

As a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company, Marvin fosters a culture committed to living our values. Our commitment to doing the right thing, working stronger together, and thinking differently inspires us to be better every day. Crafted with exceptional skill, our products deliver quality you can see, touch and feel, beauty that brings joy, and performance that stands the test of time.

At Marvin, we are driven to imagine and create better ways of living. With every window and door we make, we strive to bring more natural light and more fresh air into homes, and to create deeper connections to the natural world. We put people at the center of everything we do by designing for how people live and work and imagining new ways our products can contribute to happier and healthier homes.

marvin.com

WEBSITE:

800-966-2784

PHONE:

2 Pearson Way Enfield CT 06082

ADDRESS:

Marvin

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Your video produced by real journalists.

7/28/20 1:42 PM

pgarynproductions.com (203) 722-5401

Emmy Award winning Noah Finz is a veteran TV Sports reporter and anchor. He created and manages the Vantage Sports Network from Frontier highlighting CT sports. He spent 18 years as Sports Director for WTNH-TV, Connecticut’s ABC affiliate.

NOAH FINZ

Emmy Award winning Kendra Farn is a veteran TV news reporter and anchor. She spent 13 years at WCBS-TV, and WNBC-TV in New York City, the country’s largest television market.

KENDRA FARN

Your business needs a high quality video. Still photos just don’t cut it. Nothing can sell you or your company better than video. Moving pictures and sound are far more engaging to customers and clients. Business videos can be multipurposed: to enhance your website, use for presentations, for e-newsletters, for social networking sites, and so on. Video is the way of today and is so easily accessible to everyone.

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Beinfield Architecture @beinfieldarchitecture Bruce Beinfield James Wassell Seelan Pather Nathan Dalesio Jessica Sanseverra (Interior Designer) Carol Beinfield (Interior Designer) Beinfield Architecture South Norwalk; 203-838-5789 beinfield.com

COMMERCIAL SPACE

William Lyon Designs @williamlyondesigns William Lyon Designs Stamford; 203-489-5624 williamlyondesigns.com

Olivia Charney Interior Design @oliviacharneyinteriordesign Olivia Charney Interior Design Fairfield; 203-292-5618 oliviacharney.com

Kimberly Handler Designs @kimberlyhandlerdesigns Kimberly Handler Designs Greenwich; 203-340-9213 kimberlyhandlerdesigns.com

Karen Bow Interiors @karenbowinteriors Karen Bow Interiors Darien; 914-953-1517 karenbow.com

DINING ROOM

Karen Bow Interiors @karenbowinteriors Karen Bow Interiors Darien; 914-953-1517 karenbow.com

BEDROOM

Christian P. Arkay-Leliever Arkay-Leliever Fairfield; 203-685-5177 arkay-leliever.com

Meghan De Maria Courtney Yanni Moss Design Southport; 917-292-6153 mossdesignct.com

Moss Design with Christian P. Arkay-Leliever @moss_design_ct @cparkayleliever

Douglas VanderHorn Architects @dvharchitects.com Douglas VanderHorn Douglas VanderHorn Architects Greenwich; 203-622-7000 vanderhornarchitects.com

Sage & Ginger @sageandgingerdesigns Emily Fuhrman Sage & Ginger New Canaan; 203-594-9862 sageandginger.com

Roughan Interiors @roughaninteriors Roughan Interiors Weston, CT and New York City; 203-769-1150 roughaninteriors.com

D2 Interieurs @d2interieurs Denise Davies D2 Interieurs Weston; 646-326-7042 d2interieurs.com

POOL HOUSE

Prudence Home & Design @prudencehomeanddesign Prudence Home & Design 203-859-9499 prudencehomes.com

Olivia Charney Interior Design @oliviacharneyinteriordesign Olivia Charney Interior Design Fairfield; 203-292-5618 oliviacharney.com

All the winners and finalists’ projects will be featured in athome’s Nov./Dec. issue

AND REMEMBER...

Steven Mueller Architects @steven_mueller_architects Steven Mueller Architects Greenwich; 203-869-3758 stevenmuellerarchitects.com

Robert A. Cardello Architects @cardelloarchitects Rachelle Roll, Project Manager Robert A. Cardello Architects Westport; 203-853-2524 cardelloarchitects.com

Douglas VanderHorn Architects @dvharchitects Douglas VanderHorn, Principal Phil Summers, Project Manager Douglas VanderHorn Architects Greenwich; 203-622-7000 vanderhornarchitects.com

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE: Greater Than 7,000 Square Feet

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The Village, Stamford

PRESENTING SPONSORS

AWARD SPONSOR

athomealistawards.com GIFT BAG SPONSOR

Tickets are available now! Visit our site for more details:

September 14, 2021 at 6 pm

Join us for the A-List Awards Celebration

JEWELRY SPONSOR

don’t miss the biggest night in design!

the premier home design competition

awards

the premier home design competition

And the winner is...

Find out at our 12th Annual A-List Awards

Networking Gala & Awards Ceremony We’re thrilled to celebrate with a brand-new awards presentation at The Village, Stamford’s exciting new waterfront destination!

September 14, 2021 JUDGES

BRIAN SAWYER Sawyer | Berson

MARA MILLER Carrier and Company

JESSE CARRIER Carrier and Company

BRITT ZUNINO Studio DB

DAMIAN ZUNINO Studio DB

KEITH WILLIAMS Nievera Williams

EDWARD SIEGEL Edward Siegel Architect

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! athomealistawards.com PRESENTING SPONSORS

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OCTOBER 17, 2021 | CALF PASTURE BEACH | NORWALK,CT B OT H I N PERS ON A N D V I R T U A L O P T I O N S O F F E R E D

IN SUPPORT OF CANCER RESEARCH

The William Raveis Ride + Walk is an annual bike and walk fundraising event hosted by William Raveis, Inc. All donations from the Ride + Walk go to the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The goal of the Ride + Walk is to raise awareness, not just funds, for the great work being done by Damon Runyon and Dana-Farber scientists across the country.

MONTH LONG SPOOKY PROGRAMING FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WESTPORTHISTORY.ORG

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View the plan and make a donation at www.hopeforhaiti.com westportmag.com

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CELEBRATE

HEALTH! Sponsored by

Join Americares virtual 2021 Airlift Benefit at 8 p.m. EDT as we take you on a journey to connect with the people and communities where Americares saves lives, improves health and advances health equity.

americares.org/AAB2021

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WHERE THERE'S A WA , THERE'S A WAY.

Fairfield County Walk to End Alzheimer's S DAY OCTOBER 10 alz.org/walk

SCAN TO SIGN UP

2021 NATIONA PRESENTING SPONSORS

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advertisers index AUTOMOTIVE Scap Chrysler Jeep........................................................................................29 ARCHITECTS, BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT California Closets............................................................................................. 7 Charles Hilton Architects................................................................................. 9 Fairview Hearthside Distributors................................................................... 99 Hobbs Inc.......................................................................................................98 Marvin Windows & Doors............................................................................. 103 Ring's End.................................................................................................... 102 Robert A. Cardello Architects......................................................................... 15 Schwartz Design Showroom........................................................................ 101 Tischler und Sohn.......................................................................................... 97 BUSINESS, LAWYERS & FINANCE Cummings & Lockwood – Greenwich.............................................................. 8 EDUCATION Easton Country Day School........................................................................... 67 Fairfield College Preparatory School.............................................................63 Greens Farms Academy.................................................................................59 King School....................................................................................................63 St. Joseph High School..................................................................................64 St Luke's School............................................................................................. 61 Winston Preparatory School.......................................................................... 67 EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT A-List Awards............................................................................................... 106 Alzheimer's Association, Walk to End Alzheimer's...................................... 110 AmeriCares, Airlift Benefit........................................................................... 109 Breast Cancer Alliance Luncheon..................................................................84 Center for Family Justice, Speaking of Women............................................ 109 Darien Library, The Novel Tea...................................................................... 108 Hope for Haiti............................................................................................... 108 Levitt Pavilion................................................................................................. 47 Near & Far Aid, Golf Classic........................................................................... 12 New Canaan Historical Society, October4Design......................................... 111 NYCWFF.........................................................................................................49 Push Against Cancer......................................................................................39 The CAMP Gallery................................................................................. Cover 3 TMK Sports & Entertainment, Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo................ 110 Save the Children...........................................................................................68 Westport Museum, Spooktober................................................................... 107 Westport Country Playhouse.........................................................................83 William Raveis Ride + Walk.......................................................................... 107

October is for

Design in New Canaan October4design is New Canaan’s month-long celebration of architecture, art, design, and the community where it happens. The New Canaan Museum + Historical Society and its cultural partners showcase New Canaan’s diverse creative community – its rich history, its distinctive character, and its vibrant future.

Architecture

@mikebiondophoto

Art

Art, photography, sculpture, drawings, and ceramics are all part of what makes this month a celebration of the arts. Cultural institutions, galleries, and artists share their vision through programs, exhibitions and outdoor sculpture. Join renowned ceramicist Frances Palmer for a design luncheon.

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING Manna Toast................................................................................................... 37 Marcia Selden Catering.................................................................................. 35 Winvian Farm...................................................................................................17 HEALTH, HOSPITALS & BEAUTY Embrace Orthodontics................................................................................... 92 Greenwich Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery..................................................... 93 Hospital for Special Surgery.......................................................................... 27 Linhart Dentistry............................................................................................92 MPR Fitness................................................................................................... 51 Nuvance Health.............................................................................................. 21 ONS, Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists.............................................33 Stamford Health...............................................................................................5

Design

JEWELRY Henry C. Reid Jewelers �� 11 JL Rocks......................................................................................................... 41 Lux Bond & Green �� Cover 2, 1 Manfredi Jewels...............................................................................................3 Sarah Ventura Jewelry................................................................................... 19 REAL ESTATE & SENIOR LIVING Coldwell Banker Realty.................................................................................. 19 LCB Senior Living........................................................................................... 31 Mar Jennings Real Estate............................................................................... 23 Meadow Ridge................................................................................................ 25 Michelle&Company - William Raveis................................................................ 6 Willliam Raveis-Shelton HQ...................................................................Cover 4

O4d features the Modern House Day Tour + Symposium on October 22 + 23. Visit mid-century gems – timeless and new, The Glass House, and Grace Farms. Other programs include presentations by Bryony Roberts, Robert Gregson, Sean Godsell, Mark Markiewicz AIA, Nina Anker, and more.

Costas Picadas

At the heart of O4d is design in its many forms — the Craftsman Modern design of BassamFellows, grounded in impeccable craftsmanship, architectural rigor, and sensual minimalism. NEA Studio’s sustainable architecture, interior, landscape, and product design. Fred Noyes AIA presents the Noyes Family Legacy of Design. . . and much more.

TRAVEL Elite Airways................................................................................................... 41 MISCELLANEOUS Bob Capazzo Photography............................................................................ 64 Earth Animal................................................................................................... 37 Flowcode........................................................................................................90 P Garyn Productions ................................................................................. 103J JP McHale...................................................................................................... 39 Westy Self Storage..........................................................................................51

stay up to date at october4design.org

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postscript

SEPT/OCT 2021 / DONNA MOFFLY

“Miss Van Houghton was all comfort and forgiveness— something to remember, especially when I had children.”

t’s a new school year, a good time to reflect on what our teachers mean to us. Long ago, I was a “lifer” (K-12) at Hathaway Brown School in Cleveland, having chosen H.B. over Laurel, the rival girls’ school, because it had a bigger dollhouse. Like everybody, I had my favorite teachers and my not-so-so’s, but they taught me sundry skills well beyond academics. For instance: Being understanding. During a firstgrade rest period, I spread my blanket under a double-decker trolley of Mason jars full of paint for art class. Except I woke up, sat up, knocked the thing over and made a giant multicolored mess. I was grief-stricken, but Miss Van Houghton was all comfort and forgiveness—something to remember, especially when I had children. Making decisions. My piano teacher Mrs. Schneider would play three pieces and let me decide what to learn next. Not the pizzicato, I told her at age seven, because “it sounded like a beetle piddling on a leaf.” I loved having a voice in my own destiny. Escaping reality. In upper school Miss Thompson, a frazzled French teacher, rushed up to me before class one morning and asked, “Have you seen ‘Donna Clegg?” “Yes,” I answered, pointing down the hall. “She went that way.” And off she went in hot pursuit of— me! I’d learned how to be an artful dodger. Sharing stories. From dear Miss Cleveland (her real name), a retired English teacher, I learned the magic of storytelling— the reason I love my job today. Every so often she’d come visit to tell us tales from Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad. We were spell-bound. Accepting others. After escaping from Nazi Germany, our chemistry teacher Mrs. Keri had found a job at a girls’ school in Turkey. When she’d ask them things like, “Do you know what H20 means?”, though clueless, they’d all say, “Yes,” because it was considered westportmag.com

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impolite to say, “No.” Weird and wonderful. I became fascinated with other cultures. Keeping a lid on. Probably trying to get our attention, our Latin teacher Miss Blake said that “there ought to be a war in this country” so we’d appreciate what the Romans had to go through. Hmm. I reported this to my father, an exec with TRW, a company that supplied the defense industry, and he sent the FBI to school to investigate her. Me and my big mouth. I dropped Latin senior year. Following directions. Miss Bruce, our scary upper school English teacher, was a stickler for rules. When she asked us to write 800 words about something familiar, for some mad reason I wrote about a guy escaping from a concentration camp. “D for the day, Clegg!” still echoes in my ears. Now I’m a stickler about assignments—and have given plenty of them. Negotiating successfully. Senior year, six of us had banded together to give a dance at the Union Club. Miss Coburn, the headmistress, called me into her office to ask if we’d invite the board chairman’s granddaughter, an out-of-town visitor. I’d met the girl, liked her and said sure, but how about a trade-off? When we went out to lunch on Fridays (a senior privilege), we wanted to wear lipstick and loafers instead of tied shoes. Shocked, Miss Coburn called my mother. “That’s not my problem,” Mother told her. “You deal with Donna.” We got lipstick and loafers, and the young lady had a lovely time. For sure I learned more than academics from my teachers, but I taught them something, too—how to change a tire. After I got my driver’s license, Dad insisted I learn some mechanics at the company garage, so I was prepared when I got a flat by the main entrance—and drew quite the audience. Anyway, here’s to our wonderful teachers and, thanks to them, all the “extras” that we can take with us for our lifetimes.

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

OF TEACHERS AND LESSONS LEARNED

COMING SOON TO WESTPORT

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Westport - Sept/Oct 2021

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