WAG FEBRUARY 2017

MARK TEIXEIRA

Big league to big screen LINDA FILLEY’S fanciful footwear

THE TOPPINGS

A global love story

GEOFFREY WALSKY A passion for design

GREYSTONE

The Gilded Age revived

HATS OFF TO MILLINER KAREN HENRIKSEN

exploring

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WESTCHESTER & FAIRFIELD LIFE

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Alfred Sisley (1839–1899): Impressionist Master Now on view.

Alfred Sisley (French, 1839–1899) Une Cour a Chaville, 1879 Oil on canvas Private Collection

The exhibition was organized by the Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Connecticut and Culturespaces, France.

®

BRUCE MUSEUM

Florence Gould Foundation David T. Langrock Foundation The Malcolm Hewitt Wiener Foundation Robert Lehman Foundation

| Greenwich, CT | www.brucemuseum.org

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A M E M B E R O F T H E M O N T E F I O R E H E A LT H S Y S T E M

CONTENTS

WHAT'S INSIDE 12 At liberty in Boston’s charming Charlestown 14 The survivor 18 Love conquers all on an international stage 22 Homes for a modern Gilded Age 26 Figures of speech 30 Geoffrey Walsky’s passion for great design 34 A love letter to New York 38 The British French Impressionist comes to Greenwich 42 Hats off to style 46 Dream destination 50 Step gently 56 Turkish delights in Larchmont 58 Food for more than thought 68 To ‘Sir’ with love

60

COVER STORY

MARK TEIXEIRA’S FIELD OF CINEMATIC DREAMS

This page “Venetian Chic,” published this month by Assouline, takes the reader on a journey into the storied city. Photograph © Robyn Lea, courtesy Assouline.

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MARK TEIXEIRA

Big league to big screen LINDA FILLEY’S fanciful footwear

THE TOPPINGS

A global love story

GEOFFREY WALSKY A passion for design

GREYSTONE

The Gilded Age revived

HATS OFF TO MILLINER KAREN HENRIKSEN

exploring

JUDGED

BEST MAGAZINE IN NEW YORK STATE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

WESTCHESTER & FAIRFIELD LIFE

FEBRUARY 2017 | WAGMAG.COM

COVER:

Mark Teixeira.

See story on page 60.

Photograph by John Rizzo.

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LISA CASH

ANNE JORDAN DUFFY

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WAGGERS

THE TALENT BEHIND THIS ISSUE

ROBIN COSTELLO

RYAN DEFFENBAUGH

JANE DOVE

ALEESIA FORNI

DEBBI K. KICKHAM

DOUG PAULDING

DANIELLE K. RENDA

JOHN RIZZO

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NEW WAGGERS DAYNA M. KURTZ, LMSW, CPT is a leading authority on the subject of mother care and serves as director of the Anna Keefe Women’s Center at the Training Institute for Mental Health in Manhattan. She is a licensed social worker and NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer with an additional certification in training pre-and postnatal clients. Dayna is an expert-contributor on TheBump. com, the "Mother Matters" blogger at The Huffington Post and the author of the forthcoming “Mother Matters: A Practical Guide to Raising a Happy, Healthy Mom.” (Familius Press, spring 2018.)

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A White Plains native, GINA GOUVEIA is a longtime executive and personal assistant, event planner and special projects manager.

Her personal and professional pursuits have enabled her to travel to numerous European, South American and Asian countries.

Among her passions are good food, health, wellness, the New York cultural scene and animal advocacy and rescue. While a city resident, Gina served for several years as a volunteer on the Canine Compassion Program at Animal Care & Control of NYC, working with at-risk animals. Gina has broadened her reach to Fairfield County, where she lives in Norwalk with her feisty, senior Chihuahua, Fausto. She says she is ready for her next adventure.

EDITOR'S LETTER

SOME LOVE FROM OUR READERS Over the years, we’ve received warm responses from our subjects and other readers about our stories, photographs and design elements. Indeed, so many that we thought we’d begin sharing them with you. Want to be part of the conversation? Send your thoughts to me – subject line “Letters to the Editor” – at ggouveia@westfairinc.com.

— Georgette Gouveia

“THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WONDERFUL JOB IN THE ARTICLE ON ME (“TO SERVE AFRICA AND AMERICA,” OCTOBER WAG). YOU WRITE SO WELL. I AM VERY IMPRESSED.” – Rev. Philip Tah

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FEBRUARY 2017

GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

February may be a tiny month but it packs more than a wintry punch. Black history.

Award shows. Presidents Day. Chinese New Year (often).

Mardi Gras (ditto).

But even without those celebrations, February would hold a special place in our hearts as the month of amour — a favorite of our beloved Waggers.

And so we explore love in all its wondrous, myriad aspects, not the least of which is romance. Our Wanderer Debbi takes you and your special someone on a journey through the lesser-known haunts in the City of Light, then recalls the best meal of her life, at Le Bristol Paris’ 114 Faubourg restaurant. (Oh, God, the cod!)

Meanwhile, our Wanderer Jeremy seems to be everywhere else, ranging from Rome to Bora Bora in search of the sexy and the body beautiful in a piece that’s a little bit naughty but oh-so-nice.

My sister Gina, almost a Valentine’s baby, reveals her wanderlust with an article on her road to Mandalay, part of her visit to our sister Jana in Myanmar. Both sisters figure in a story on our family trip to Boston, where the love of freedom and history remains a vibrant part of everyday life.

So February WAG isn’t just about romance and sex, though there’s certainly plenty of that. It’s also about people whose passion for ideas and things is generous, never possessive. There’s Geoffrey Walsky’s unhurried desire to share his knowledge of objects and their placement through his Fairfield Co. Antique & Design Center in Norwalk (Mary’s story); Andy Todd’s enthusiasm for creating beautiful homes (while uncovering an astonishing bit of history) through his Greystone on Hudson development in Tarrytown; and the French Impressionist Alfred Sisley’s devotion to painting the landscape in ravishing canvases on display at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, one of the mustsee shows of the year.

Cinephile Phil Hall joins us with a cover story on Mark Teixeira, the big-hearted former New York Yankees first baseman, who’s now on the Greenwich International Film Festival’s team. One of

Gifts from my sisters – a gold-threaded red shawl from Mandalay and a jade necklace from Rangoon. Photograph by Sebastian Flores.

the reasons Mark wanted to get involved with GIFF is its handling of social issues, from the films it spotlights to the causes and filmmakers it supports.

And that brings us to one of the deepest kinds of love — the love of our fellow man.

Rachel Dalton, inspired by WAG’s December Giving issue, wanted to experience that kind of love more fully with her family and so reached out to Bread of Life Hope for the Hungry in Rye, which feeds almost 12,000 hungry people in Westchester and Rockland counties weekly. In these pages, you’ll also meet Tracey Bravant, a woman who endured horrific loss at a young age and responded to this throughout her life with love for others. Recently, as Jane tells us, she found love in a second marriage.

We may not all be blessed with the kind of love Tracey has found with her new husband, or that Danny and Robyn Santiago know as the husband-and-wife owners of Villagio Italiano Restaurant in Hartsdale (Aleesia’s Wonderful Dining column) or that has seen international correspondents and Waggers Audrey and Seymour Topping through wars and world events, deadlines and five daughters ( Jane again).

But we can all show love in some form not only to family and friends, but to those we do not know and may never meet.

Georgette Gouveia is the author of “Water Music” (Greenleaf Book Group) and “The Penalty for Holding” (Less Than Three Press, 2017). They’re part of her series of novels, “The Games Men Play,” also the name of the sports/culture blog she writes at thegamesmenplay. com. Readers may find weekly installments of her novel “Seamless Sky” on wattpad.com.

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At liberty in Boston’s charming Charlestown

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

I

In Boston, the American Revolution dies hard.

Its spirit lives on in the Museum of Fine Arts’ knowing portrait of Paul Revere and in the hoodies and other items sold at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. It wafts through meeting houses and soars above monuments, blazing across names like Bunker Hill and Charlestown.

It was in Charlestown, the oldest of the city’s neighborhoods, that my family gathered recently for a celebration. Niece Lynn and husband Ted,

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FEBRUARY 2017

who live in a neighboring town, were christening their second child, William. So my sister Jana once again found the perfect home away from home for us, while our sister Gina — one of the proud grandmas — chauffeured me north with her trusty Chihuahua, the ever-feisty Fausto, along for the ride.

In truth, this gang doesn’t need a celebration for a road trip to Beantown, though it certainly sweetens the occasion. Our people hail from the Massachusetts mill cities of Lowell and New Bedford. Our summers were spent rooting for the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. (Hey, just because the family was from Red Sox Nation didn’t mean we were of Red Sox Nation.) And we all seem to have inherited the history gene. In charming Charlestown — where the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail culminates in a tony square of lamplit, brick, copper-coffered townhouses crowned by the Bunker Hill Monument — we found enough history to slake even our thirst.

Our nights may have been taken up with intensely competitive games of May I, an increasingly complicated spin on rummy, and an encore viewing of Netflix’s addictive “The Crown.”

(Yes, we got the irony.) But our days were filled with the love of liberty.

Given that our Monument Avenue rental looked up at the Bunker Hill Monument, we began at the Freedom Trail’s end. But what an end.

There can be few more stirring sights than that of the 221-foot granite obelisk that commemorates the first time the ragtag Colonists held their own against the mighty British Army, on June 17, 1775.

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes,” Col. William Prescott is said to have commanded, steadying his charges. Today, he commands Monument Square and a stunning view of the neon-lit city beyond from atop Breed’s Hill, where the battle was actually fought. (It was originally erroneously called the Battle of Bunker Hill and that is the way history rolls.)

No doubt all of this is explained in the Bunker Hill Museum — you have to love a city with a museum seemingly every five feet — but we

THERE CAN BE FEW MORE STIRRING SIGHTS THAN THAT OF THE 221FOOT GRANITE OBELISK THAT COMMEMORATES THE FIRST TIME THE RAGTAG COLONISTS HELD THEIR OWN AGAINST THE MIGHTY BRITISH ARMY, ON JUNE 17, 1775.

sea lovers had a date with “Old Ironsides” down at the Charlestown Navy Yard, another stop on the Trail.

Old Ironsides is the affectionate nickname for the USS Constitution, launched in Boston in 1797. She earned that nickname when she tangled with the British frigate HMS Guerrière during the War of 1812. As cannonballs appeared to bounce off the Constitution’s sides, one crewmember exclaimed that she was made of iron.

(The hull is actually a three-layer “sandwich” of live and white oak.)

Old Ironsides’ story is told in the USS Constitution Museum, an excellent family outing with enough detailed displays for military and maritime history buffs and enough interactive stuff for the kids. While Jana and sons Andrew and James toured the museum, I found myself moved by a documentary on how the Constitution has come full circle. She defended American freedom in a hour of peril, and when she began

to fade in the early 20th century, Americans, particularly schoolchildren, rallied ’round her, sending in their pennies for her refurbishment.

Today the Constitution — still a commissioned U.S. Navy warship with a crew of officers and enlistees — is dry-docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard for one of her major periodic restorations, during which you can visit. All of us signed our names to pieces of copper that will be used in her hull. It’s a good feeling knowing that when the Constitution sails again, she’ll be taking a little bit of us and her other admirers with her.

On a 20-degree day, we followed the Freedom Trail gamely into Boston proper, stopping by the Old State House, the Old North Church and the Paul Revere House along the way. Then James and I — each in his own way a rebel without a pause — broke off from the group and took the T to the Museum of Fine Arts, where we feasted on butternut squash soup and field greens (me) and an Angus beef cheeseburger (he) in the three-story New American Café, watched over

by Dale Chihuly’s “Lime Green Icicle Tower” (2011). But even amid such culinary modernism, historical Boston waited. Overlooking the café in the Americas Collections was our old friend Paul Revere, clutching a piece of his silverwork in John Singleton Copley’s portrait and stroking his chin as he gazed out at us taking our full measure of him.

Later as we sped past Copley Place, Square and Plaza on our way to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market in a taxi, I explained to James that it was all the same Copley. As Lincoln would later observe, “We cannot escape history.”

And so it was fitting that we should wind up our last night in Charlestown at The Warren Tavern, built in 1780 and named in memory of Dr. Joseph Warren, who spurred pal Revere on his famous midnight ride to warn Lexington about the advancing Redcoats and died valiantly at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

We supped on hearty pub fare, including shepherd’s and chicken pot pies. It was a most congenial end to our historic visit and had Revere wandered in from some ghostly mission, we surely would’ve treated him to a pint.

The Bunker Hill Monument.

WAGMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2017

13

The survivor A COMPASSIONATE SPIRIT RISES FROM THE ASHES OF TRAGEDY

BY JANE K. DOVE PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEBASTIAN FLORES

L

Like the proverbial phoenix, Tracey Bravant has risen from almost unspeakable tragedy to say “Today I count my blessings, not my losses.”

After suffering the loss of her entire family save for one younger brother in a raging house fire three decades ago, the Croton-on-Hudson resident is now happily married with a daughter and a successful career as an executive with an upscale footwear company in Greenwich. But most important to her, she helps many others through charitable initiatives and work as a volunteer counselor to burn victims.

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A TRAGEDY UNFOLDS Monday, Feb. 3, l987 changed her life forever.

“I was 14 at the time and living with my family — parents, two younger sisters and a brother — in Wantagh, Long Island.

“My brother, Terry, and I were asleep in our bedrooms on the lower level of our knotty pine home when I woke up coughing to see smoke in my room.

I rolled out of bed, crawled up the stairs to the first floor and felt the closed door to the rest of the house.

It was warm. Right away, I knew there was a fire.”

Tracey ran back downstairs to her brother’s room, got him out of bed and told him to stay close behind her as they went back up. “I opened the door and stepped into the hallway and saw the rest of the house was an inferno. I tried to open the back door to get out but the knob wouldn’t turn. My brother was screaming desperately for our father before dropping to the floor with carbon monoxide poisoning. Our bed clothes started to ignite.”

Still unable to open the door, Tracey threw herself on top of her brother to protect him as best she could before she, too, was felled by carbon monoxide fumes. Help finally arrived a few minutes later, with local firemen knocking down the door. But it was almost too late. Tracey and Terry both suffered cardiac arrest.

“They couldn’t save my parents, Terry and Sharon McSwigin, and my sisters, Heather and Jennifer, “Tracey says. “The house was engulfed in flames.”

The siblings were taken to two different hospitals on Long Island. “I was burned over 65 percent of my body and they didn’t think I would make it,” Tracey says. “My brother was less severely injured, with 20 percent burns.”

MOVING ON Tracey spent months in the hospital, amazingly not knowing her family had perished.

“They didn’t tell us what happened for months,” she says. “When I asked, I was told my family was in the hospital and doing well.” Facing a struggle for her life and a series of painful skin grafts, Tracey says she was too overwhelmed to question the staff.

After Tracey and her brother were released from the hospital, they went to live with her grandmother in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. Tracey received an award from President Ronald Reagan commending her for saving her brother’s life.

When the siblings finally were told the rest of the family was dead, they had two entirely different reactions.

“My brother was very, very angry,” Tracey says. “I was simply, totally numb. There was just a tremendous void. I was in denial and adopted this kind of positive, upbeat demeanor. I felt a responsibility to my parents. I felt I had to act happy for them.”

Tracey went on to graduate from the local high

school, all the while undergoing reconstructive and cosmetic surgery on her scarred body and face. “I married my high school sweetheart, Joel Attis in 1998,” she says. “Ironically he became a New York City firefighter.”

Joel was deeply affected by the events of 9/11 and, even though they had a daughter, Sidney, Tracey says the marriage just “gradually fell apart” and was over when they separated in 2002. Tracey moved to Croton-on-Hudson with Sidney and began life as a single mom, working in human resources.

But she was soon to be the sole survivor of her original family.

“In 2006, I got a call from my uncle saying my brother had died at age 31, of cardiac arrest. He was living in Florida and was married with four children.

I believe his drug use played a role in his death.”

Terry’s untimely death finally allowed Tracey to release her bottled-up grief. “I put aside my happy face and became something of a basket case,” she says. “Things got so bad I checked myself into a psychiatric hospital. The staff said I was suffering a form of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The “Why me?” I had kept locked away finally burst out screaming. And as an added point of misery, I got fired from my job.”

HELPING OTHERS FIND NEW FOCUS Tracey was at rock bottom emotionally when she was discharged from the psychiatric hospital. “After spending one long night praying to my Dad, I went to the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla and simply asked at the admissions desk if I could help them with counseling burn patients. I told them my story of survival and, amazingly, they said they would welcome me as a volunteer counselor.”

Tracey started to visit the hospital’s burn unit on a regular basis and still does. “I truly love doing this,” she says. “The words just come pouring out of me.

I feel I give the patients a perspective and they can see that if I survived, they can, too.”

Tracey became vice president of Human Resources and Operations for Marc Fisher Footwear in 2010. A few years later, in 2015, she married Andrew Bravant, a native of England.

“We had originally met in 2004 when I was traveling in Spain and kept in touch over the many years. I always thought of Andy as “the one that got away,” and Sidney really liked him. Amazingly, things worked out for us. He moved here and we married on Dec. 11, 2015. We are really in love and very happy together.”

Since that first visit to the Westchester Medical Center’s Trauma and Burn Center, Tracey has been inspired to reach out to others.

She founded a volunteer group called SOLE (Service, Outreach, Leadership and Empathy) at Marc Fisher.

Tracey Bravant.

“We have a dedicated core group and reach out regularly to a variety of organizations, like Kids in Crisis in Cos Cob, the Lower Hudson Valley Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and other groups that focus on autism awareness, domestic violence prevention and other causes. We also have a shoe sample sale once a year and donate the proceeds to a charity.”

Amid all of this, Tracey has found the time to write an inspirational book, “I Would Walk Through Fire for You,” yet to be published, and has been introduced to a screenwriter who is interested in her compelling life story as the subject of a possible film.

She has been featured on the “Dr. Phil” show and the A&E show “I Survived.” She also received an award from UPS for being an “Inspirational Woman,” presented at Madison Square Garden in 2014.

Through it all, Tracey says she is proud she has not allowed the tragedies of her life to defeat her. “My love of life has carried me through,” she says. “I am not jaded and do not feel like a victim. I love to give perspective to others who have suffered tragedy and loss. I know I am not alone in this. I have found hope and created a beautiful life in spite of everything. I count it as a blessing that the reality of my experience is now helping others and am pleased to be able to see my blessings grow.”

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Love conquers all on an international stage

BY JANE K. DOVE PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEBASTIAN FLORES

A

A rickshaw full of red roses delivered to a beautiful young woman living in Nanking, China, nearly 70 years ago was the catalyst for the long and happy marriage of Audrey Ronning Topping and Seymour “Top” Topping.

The Toppings, who have lived in Scarsdale for five decades, are best known for their myriad editorial, photojournalistic and documentary filmmaking accomplishments — she as a photojournalist working for National Geographic and The New York Times, among other publications; he as managing editor of The New York Times, among other titles.

They have worked as a team on many different and often dangerous assignments in China, Southeast

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Asia and Europe, including Russia. Through it all, they raised five daughters and now have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“But it all really did start with those roses,” Audrey says as she sits next to her husband of 67 years in the serene living room of their exquisitely decorated home filled with treasures from many lands.

“I was a Canadian girl living in China with my family, where my father, Ambassador Chester Ronning, was a senior Canadian diplomat. Top, as I was to discover, was working for the Associated Press covering the Chinese Civil War as a foreign correspondent based in Nanking. We met one night at an elegant dinner party at the American Officers Club in 1947.”

As fate would have it, Audrey and her sister, Meme, were seated at the same table as Top. “We danced several times that evening and that was the beginning of my deep infatuation with Top,” Audrey says. “The next morning I woke to open the front door and see a rickshaw full to overflowing with beautiful roses and an invitation from Top to a double date with his colleague Bob Clurman, also a journalist. But my sister and I weren’t sure which one of us Top wanted to be his date. The note did not say. So my sister said she would take the tallest one when they arrived.”

Top, who was a bit shorter than his friend, told Audrey later that was exactly what he wanted.

The four young people climbed into a green Jeep and went out dining and dancing the night away, with Audrey on Top’s arm. “And we have been dancing together ever since,” Audrey says.

EARLY YEARS The chances of a Lutheran with Norwegian roots from Alberta, Canada, and an American Jew born in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn meeting in China, marrying and living “happily ever after” with multiple offspring and successful and demanding careers in far-flung locations are minuscule, but the Toppings pulled it off. Love has kept them together.

“After that first double date, we spent as much time as possible together,” Top says. “After less than a year, I invited her to go up Purple Mountain on the outskirts of Nanking. We spread a blanket, had a picnic and I asked her to marry me. We became engaged after I got her father’s blessing.”

Audrey recalls, “We were engaged for a few months when the Red Army began to head across the Nanking River. I was evacuated in advance of the troops with my mother and siblings while my father stayed on.”

The Ronning family returned to Canada and Audrey enrolled at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. “At the time, but unknown to me, Top was under house arrest and I did not hear from him for quite a while. I started to believe it was all over between us.”

But, as luck would have it, Audrey was walking down a street in Vancouver one day with a friend and saw a newspaper with a headline about the war in China. “I saw Top’s photo on page one,” she says. “He was described as ‘the luckiest man in the world’ to be alive and had been behind enemy lines all the time I had not heard from him. I went home to find stacks of telegrams he had sent that had just been released.”

Fast forward to a reunion with Top followed by marriage in November of 1949 in Audrey’s hometown of Camrose, Alberta.

“We had a small wedding at my sister’s house and I wore a $60 wedding dress I saw in a shop window,” Audrey says. “We went almost immediately to Hong Kong where we spent Christmas, 1949. Top was assigned to cover the French Indochina War, which lasted from l949 to l951. We had our honeymoon in Angkor Wat, Cambodia.”

Top’s journalistic star was rising and he interviewed the king of Cambodia and the emperor of Indochina during this period. Their early years together were graced with the birth of their first daughter, Susan, born in a French military hospital in Saigon in 1950.

“Saigon was under direct attack not far from the hospital,” Top says. “When Audrey was wheeled into the delivery room, you could hear the artillery fire and feel the hospital shake. The doctor who delivered Susan was also caring for the wounded and his scrubs were stained with their blood. Audrey carried through in her usual courageous manner.

After Susan was settled, she insisted I go back to the AP office to report on the battle, which was a critical turning point in the war.”

John F. Kennedy, then a congressman, asked to see Top and congratulate him as a long-serving foreign correspondent, Audrey says. “He saw Susan and told me I had the calm look of a Modigliani portrait. I will never forget that.”

ON TO EUROPE AND RUSSIA After leaving Southeast Asia, Top was assigned to London to cover the diplomatic beat for the Associated Press. The couple lived in Hampstead and attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Second daughter Karen was born in Queen Mary’s Nursing

Seymour and Audrey Topping at home.

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In Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, British Crown Colony, 1966.

The Toppings on their motorboat on the way to board their Chinese junk (red sails in the background) for a weekend of sailing and waterskiing on the South China Seas. Susan stands in back.

Middle row: Audrey with Charlie, their pet cockatoo, who always sailed with them; Seymour, known as Top; and Karen. First row: Robin and Lesley. Courtesy Audrey and Seymour Topping.

Home during the infamous 1952 smog. Queen Mary herself visited baby Karen and gave her a teddy bear.

In 1953, third daughter Lesley was born in the same hospital.

“This was a difficult period because of food rationing,” Audrey says. “I was constantly worried about getting enough food for the children. Even though the war was over, rationing was still in place. During this period, I studied sculpture and used the children as models.”

From l955 through ’58, Top was assigned to cover a divided Germany. “We were given one week to move the entire family and lived in West Berlin,” Audrey says. “We spent time exploring East Germany, helping friends escape. The kids became fluent in German and daughter number four, Rebecca, was born in the American Military Hospital.”

Their time in Germany drew to a close when Top joined The New York Times in 1960. His assignment was to cover the Cold War in the Soviet Union. The couple lived in Moscow during the heady days of the premiership of Nikita Khrushchev, the first Russians in space and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The children attended Russian schools and made great friends with Russian children, becoming fluent in the language.

During this time, Audrey was a photojournalist and writer working with NBC. She produced a film on the Kremlin along with 16 articles for The New

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The “Fabulous Five” Topping daughters – (clockwise) Lesley, Susan, Robin, Joanna and Karen. Courtesy Audrey and Seymour Topping.

York Times Magazine.

In 1963, Top was assigned to Hong Kong to cover the Vietnam War as The Times’ chief correspondent in Southeast Asia. Audrey got a rare visa for Communist China to write for The Times during the Cultural Revolution.

Top’s career at The Times continued to flourish and he was appointed foreign editor in l966, followed by managing editor. The couple’s fifth daughter, Joanna, was born in l967 after the couple moved to Scarsdale where they have remained ever since.

The ensuing years saw more personal and professional twists and turns, with the couple continuing to work separately and in tandem on a variety of projects, including writing several books.

REFLECTIONS “I am a fortunate man to be married to Audrey,” Top says. “Not only did she take wonderful care of our children and me in some very difficult circumstances but was a tremendous asset who made all the difference in my professional life. She became a highly skilled journalist and photographer and

at certain times was our financial mainstay. When I was appointed foreign editor of The Times in 1966, I cited her as a great asset. She was always absolutely involved in my day-to-day professional life, sometimes in some very dangerous situations.

During our periods of separation, she held it all together for our family.”

When asked how she did it, Audrey says, “I don’t know. I just did. Our thinking and view of life has always been the same. We have, of course, had our frictions, but the solution was never to ‘fix it’ with divorce. Five kids makes you think about that as a nonsolution. We never went to bed mad but would talk things out with a drink in front of the fireplace. Talking is key to a successful marriage.”

Top said that Audrey is a woman to be loved and treasured.

“She is the mother of my children and raised them beautifully. She also accomplished some wonderful professional work. She was, and is, beautiful and I have always been deeply in love with her. That was true in l949 and is just as true now, 67 years later.”

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HOMES FOR A MODERN GILDED AGE

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

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The grand estates that commanded the Hudson in the late 19th century might conjure the names of Astor, Gould, Morgan and Rockefeller but not that of Caesar.

And yet, it was one of the original Caesars — the Emperor Claudius, great-great grandnephew of Julius Caesar — who was linked to Greystone Castle, once the Tarrytown home of Josiah W. Macy Jr., a partner of John D. Rockefeller’s in Standard Oil. How Claudius — popularized in the Robert Graves’ novel “I, Claudius” and the addictive 1976 BBC series — came to be associated with Tarrytown is a story steeped in history, his and ours. And it begins — or rather the ending does — with Greystone on Hudson, a more than 100-acre luxury residential development on the site of the former estate.

It was in the summer of 2015 that Andy Todd, president of Greystone on Hudson, and his team discovered a marble artifact with a Latin inscription while excavating for one of the homes, which they are now building. They did what any modern person would do — Googled the Latin inscription. Ultimately, their detective work led to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which authenticated the find as the

Rendering for Greystone on Hudson’s 6 Carriage Trail, now being built on the site of the original Greystone Castle in Tarrytown.

funerary pillar of Tiberius Claudius Saturninus, a former slave who collected inheritance taxes for the Emperor Claudius in Greece. (Employing freed slaves in Rome’s civil service was the kind of compassionate innovation that helped earn Claudius, whose physical infirmities belied a shrewd mind and a scholarly temperament, a reputation as one of the more judicious Caesars. That and the fact that he was bookended by two mad emperors — his nephew Caligula and his grandnephew and stepson, Nero.)

Today, this funerary cippus is ensconced in The Met’s Leon Levy and Shelby White Court in the Greek and Roman galleries. Even if you know no Latin, you can make out the names of the deceased, his wife and his region, Achaea (Greece). The pillar is not merely a tombstone but a onetime reliquary,

The original Greystone Castle. Photographs courtesy Greystone on Hudson.

The reliquary of a Roman tax collector who was a slave freed by the Emperor Claudius,. It was discovered during the excavation for Greystone on Hudson’s 6 Carriage Trail.

damaged on top where it was hollowed out to contain Saturninus’ ashes. (The lid that would’ve sealed the ashes in place is missing.) Decorated with a relief of a pitcher on the left side and a disk or dish on the right, the cippus is an indication of the Roman respect for death. Not only would citizens, or freedmen like Saturninus, be given such a burial but slaves as well.

But how did a Claudian artifact wind up in Tarrytown? In 1893, Josiah Macy’s widow, the former Caroline Louisa Everit, purchased it at auction at Rome’s Villa Borghese. In time, however, Greystone Castle and its treasures went the way of many of the great Hudson River estates. In the first half of the 20th century, Todd says, it was a home to a dance school led by Elizabeth Duncan, sister of modern dance diva Isadora Duncan, and, later, the militaristic Tarrytown School established by publisher and fitness enthusiast Bernarr Macfadden. In 1976, Greystone Castle burned to the ground and the Claudian link was buried with the past.

Until now. Driving through the serpentine Grey-

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stone on Hudson, you get the sense that Claudius and his backstabbing, power-grabbing family would have been as content there as they were in their villas in Capri. Each of the planned houses — there will be 20 in total by 2020 — is individual in character and set apart from the others, with unique riparian views. At Greystone on Hudson, you have neighbors, but you’d never know it.

We begin our tour at the entry where the castle’s original wrought-iron gate, crowned by a “G,” offers a stately welcome, as does the gaslit sentry house made of white wood and Manhattan schist. Indeed, all along the soaring Carriage Trail — named for the horse-drawn carriages that would wind their way up to the castle — you’ll find stone walls. (The stone is quarried on the property and cut by 14 masons for use mainly in the construction of the houses.)

Sugar maples also line Carriage Trail. They are among the mature specimen trees — including beeches, oaks and sycamores — gracing a landscape that beguiled Todd.

“We were looking for land to buy and build on (in 2012) when we saw this,” Todd recalls. “We looked at it and said, ‘Wow, this is such a beautiful parcel of land and only 13 miles from New York City.”’

Todd takes us to a ravine that cascades down to a pond the color of Roman glass. Three parcels share the ravine and pond, Todd says, and the entire site backs up onto Taxter Ridge Park Preserve in Greenburgh, perfect for cross-country skiing and hiking.

But you don’t have to be athletic or outdoorsy

to enjoy Greystone. The versatility of the development is evident in the first two houses, both occupied. The first is an imposing stone, turreted affair, perched on a height; the other, a warm, woodsy Dutch Colonial with a generous wraparound porch.

The third — the roughly 22,000-square-foot, $12.9 million abode under construction on the site of the original castle and the Claudian discovery — is designed as an entertainment paradise, with an outdoor pool and tennis court, an indoor basketball court, a 14-seat theater, a wine cellar and a two-story Tudor-style library trimmed in mahogany that would surely have enticed the studious Claudius.

The copper-trimmed stone house, embellished with Palladian windows, corbels and gables, also contains 12 en suite bedrooms, and a 4,000-squarefoot attic that leads to a rooftop deck, or widow’s walk (so-called for the rooftop vigil mariners’ wives kept for their husbands, often in vain).

The houses — which range from 8,000 to 25,000 square feet and $4 million to $20 million— will all feature geothermal heating. (This would no doubt have pleased the ancient Romans, who knew a thing or two about engineering.)

But then, Todd says, Greystone is about marrying the present to the past.

“Everything we’re doing is to create an Old World feel. We found the tombstone, which goes with the history of how people lived in (the 19th century). It’s part of what makes this place really special.”

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FIGURES OF SPEECH

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

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Artist Tony Matelli is known for provocative works that stand the nude on its head — literally, arms at its side instead of on the ground in support as in the traditional headstand.

Matelli has also created hunched men and women, clad only in underpants, reaching in the elements — falling leaves or snow — and seemingly aged statuary, crusted by time. (More on that in a bit.)

But Matelli doesn’t see himself as a figurative artist bucking the current trend toward abstraction.

“To me it’s about commenting on an idea or a certain thing I want to talk about,” he says, “and the figure represents that.”

What he wants to talk about is the contrast between permanence and impermanence, art and life, youth and decay, death and eternity – all of which are the backdrop for the latest must-see piece in his “Garden Sculpture” series. “Tony Matelli: Figure” (May 6 through Oct. 22) will spotlight a Greek goddess – headless, one arm broken off – on the front lawn of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield as part of its “Main Street Sculpture” series of site-specific work.

Like other works in Matelli’s “Garden Sculpture” series, it will be “sourced from garden statuary, weathered, sandblasted, sprinkled with dirt and other patinas so it looks like it’s exposed to all kinds of elements.”

In contrast to this “entropy,” Matelli creates embellishments of cast-iron, bronze food — melons, avocados, blackberries, asparagus, cocktail shrimps, crab claws and sausages that look good enough to eat. These perch on statuary of Jesus, the Buddha or the Apollo Belvedere like colorful birds or fallen blossoms.

The contrast between permanent decay and the impermanent frozen in its freshness could not be starker — or, Matelli says, more poetic.

The Chicago-born artist, who lives in New York City, never trained as a figurative sculptor. Nor did he come from an artistic family.

“I didn’t know what a sculptor was growing up,” he says. But he liked to play with models, tanks and dolls. “I knew it was a way of creating a unique reality, a narrative.”

Tony Matelli’s “Venus” (2015), concrete and painted bronze.

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He became more immersed in art in high school, going on to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design for his bachelor of fine arts degree in 1993 and the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Minnesota, for his master of fine arts two years later. Recent solo exhibits include The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia; the Künsterlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin; the Palais de Tokyo, Paris; and The Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Public collections include The FLAG Art Foundation in Manhattan, the National Centre of Contemporary Art in Moscow and the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum in Aarhus, Denmark.

There viewers have encountered an artist’s vision that “goes back to the fear of death, but sexuality also plays into it. We derive our sense of worth from how desirable we are. Once we’re past a certain age, we’re no longer necessary for existence.”

Matelli — who has created some graphic, Darwinian sculptures of simians — notes that once chimpanzees age, they’re sidelined to another aspect of the tribe.

But he doesn’t want to get too heavy in discussing his work.

“That takes the fun out of looking.”

For more, visit tonymatelli.com and aldrichart.org. (left to right) Tony Matelli’s “Warrior” and “Virgin Mary,” both 2015, concrete and painted bronze.

Courtesy the artist and Marlborough Chelsea, NY.

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Geoffrey Walsky’s passion for great design

BY MARY SHUSTACK PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEBASTIAN FLORES

T

There’s no denying Geoffrey Walsky’s devotion to design, evidenced not only in the broadest strokes but in the smallest details of what he does.

As the owner of the Fairfield Co. Antique & Design Center greets a visitor to the cavernous former warehouse in Norwalk, you can’t help but notice the warm welcome.

It’s created not only by Walsky’s strong handshake but also by the unexpectedly sophisticated entryway complete with working fireplace and elegant seating area.

This is no “get ’em in, get ’em out” venture, to be sure, but rather a setting where browsing among the eclectic collection of antiques, art and collect-

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ibles showcased by dozens of dealers — including Walsky himself — is more than encouraged.

As he walks us through the space on a recent morning, he points out everything from “true antiques,” including English brass and nautical pieces, to more playful finds such as vintage Chanel couture fashions.

He’s now — after hosting an in-house art gallery named after his grandfather, a French artist in the early 1900s — subletting space to Westport Auction, with its previews bringing in even more foot traffic.

“It’s a big world, but it’s also very small,” he says of the connections in the antiques world.

“We have 70 dealers, kind of across the board in genres and styles,” he says, noting the “most active” dealers are from Westchester and Fairfield counties.

The roster, he says, expands when he finds dealers who fit the mix.

“I’m always looking for something unique that’s going to enhance the center,” he says.

It often connects dealers, designers and those in the trade with the customer who walks into the door, Walsky says, adding: “The word ‘antiques’ sometimes scares people, but everyone I’ve ever brought here has found something.”

THE GEM WITHIN Walsky has led us to a space within the center, the space devoted to Iconic Modern Home, the business in which he showcases his own finds.

Devoted to mid-century and modern furnishings, Iconic Modern Home has grown to encompass luxury staging, art-consulting services and design work such as upholstery.

Walsky says he has already cultivated a clientele in the trade that extends from Boston to Washington, D.C., while also selling on 1stdibs and on Dering Hall, a curated site for high-end customers and designers.

It’s all hinted at in this showroom, some 2,000 square feet carved out of the center’s overall 20,000.

Though the space is billed as a work in progress, it’s well on the way with vignettes that incorporate eclectic furnishings and the latest in Walsky’s “furniture as art” exhibitions, this one devoted to a current love — seating.

With an array of historic — and important — designs from the likes of Bertoia and Eames hanging from the wall, it artfully illustrates Walsky’s point of view.

“My design aesthetic is very mid-century,” he says, adding, “This space is kind of fun. It’s evolving.”

Top: Geoffrey Walsky at the Fairfield Co. Antique & Design Center in Norwalk.

Right: Fairfield Co. Antique & Design Center features an array of antiques, collectibles and art from more than 70 dealers.

THE WORD ‘ANTIQUES’ SOMETIMES SCARES PEOPLE, BUT EVERYONE I’VE EVER BROUGHT HERE HAS FOUND SOMETHING. — Geoffrey Walsky

The goal, he says, is to make it “more of a retail space, make it more of a finished showroom, not a warehouse.”

EDUCATING THE PUBLIC Walsky says his clientele is mostly “north of 40” but younger people are starting to appreciate older goods — and the fact antiques are eco-friendly options, ideal for repurposing.

Walsky says his work is the culmination of a journey he didn’t really plan.

“I’m a retail consultant by trade,” he says, noting he got his start in the financial industry. After losing work in Manhattan retail due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy, he decided it was finally time to launch into the antiques and design business officially, something he had been around his whole life.

He credits his initial interest to his French-born mother, who herself transitioned from fashion to home décor and took her son to many an antiques show and flea market over the years.

“I hated it. Then I started to tolerate it. Then I started to love it.”

And he hasn’t looked back, ever on the lookout for new opportunities.

Luxury staging, for example, grew out of a chance conversation with a dinner-party guest about a year and a half ago — and Walsky has since worked on properties featured on the real-estate reality show “Million Dollar Listing.”

“Working and doing these projects in New York has been a great educational process for me.”

It has, he says, opened him up to a whole new world, one where he stands firm when telling a client, “I’m going to use all real pieces.”

Walsky says he was floored when he saw million-dollar properties staged with less-than-stellar furniture.

“I didn’t think that was what luxury staging was about,” he says.

And he has found that the staging — where clients include property owners, developers and real-estate agents — has expanded into design work, such as creating window treatments and audio wiring.

Walsky says he is buying “every day,” either for projects such as these or his own inventory. “A lot of my business is sourcing products.”

AT HOME, AT PLAY While Walsky is clearly focused on his business interests, he is equally devoted to both family — he and his wife have 3-year-old twins — and sport.

The 6-foot-6 athlete has found great reward in

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sports, competing in triathlons and running the New York City Marathon.

“It’s been kind of the only way to relieve stress,” he says. “I think it improves everything else.”

It was a savior when just over three years ago he found himself in the midst of not one but three major life changes.

“I opened the new business. I had kids, and I moved into a new house,” the Weston resident says with a laugh.

While not scouring flea markets for work, he’s still fond of poking around a show here and there, with Elephant’s Trunk in New Milford a longtime favorite.

“I still go to them because I like them,” he says.

“My wife enjoys them. We take the kids.”

But you won’t find him there at the crack of dawn with the intense treasure hunters. He says he’s more an afternoon guy who takes it all in stride, strolling about and on more than one occasion scoring major pieces for just a few bucks.

As with everything, it’s all about Walsky creating his own path, “not trying to compete with the masses.”

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A GREENWICH SHOWCASE And that’s what distinguishes Iconic Modern Home, which has expanded into Greenwich with a satellite space on West Putnam Avenue, where we again meet Walsky a couple of days after our Norwalk visit.

Here, fine art is integrated with fine furnishings to create a unique environment.

“In this space only, I partner with Isabella Garrucho Fine Art,” Walsky says of the permanent spot that held a grand opening in October after time as a pop-up across the street.

He works with the art exhibitions to create something unique.

“When they let me know what’s coming in, then we work together. I try to make it look like living spaces so it resonates with people.”

And that it does. On this morning, it’s easy to imagine the oversize wildlife art by photographer David Yarrow in your own home thanks to sophisticated room vignettes created by Walsky, with touches of animal print here and unexpected glimmer there.

Again, there’s that devotion to detail, from an

unexpected touch of pleated velvet to play off a traditionally upholstered couch to the way a Lucite base modernizes a wooden tabletop.

“When we started doing live-edge tables, we wanted to keep them seamless and clean,” he says.

It’s a rewarding collaboration, says Alex E. Trimper, the managing director of Isabella Garrucho Fine Art. Next up, Trimper shares, is an exhibition, “Branded Series” by Chris Valle, which offers a fresh take on “street art.”

But, Trimper adds, there’s an underlying strength to the collaborative effort in which Walsky helps create an atmosphere that’s “visually pleasing and stimulating,” but also offers something deeper.

“The defining moment in the partnership is that Geoff represents vintage pieces,” he says. “It matches what we do. It’s investment furniture and investment art.”

As Walsky looks around at the gallery, a sophisticated study in style, he says, simply, “It has been great. It certainly has been a labor of love.”

That, we smile, doesn’t surprise us.

For more, visit iconicmodern.com.

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A LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK

BY MARY SHUSTACK PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

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“New York at Its Core” at the Museum of the City of New York opens with the “Port City” gallery. Filip Wolak photograph courtesy Museum of the City of New York.

The Museum of the City of New York’s new permanent exhibition is a must-see destination for those who love New York City.

“New York at Its Core,” a tour-de-force exploration of 400 years of history, is filled with a stunning array of artifacts and memorabilia, as a recent visit proves in encompassing detail.

It sounds like a daunting premise — fitting four centuries into a single exhibition — but what a stunning success it turns out to be.

The museum’s first permanent exhibition, five years in the making and unveiled in mid-November, occupies the entire first floor with three interactive galleries. It’s all devoted to “what makes New York New York,” touching on money, diversity, density and creativity.

The show begins with “Port City, 1609-1898,”

which follows New York’s “remarkable three-century evolution from a remote outpost for trade between the Dutch and native people into the largest, most densely populated, most diverse and most influential city in the United States.”

Here we meet historical personalities ranging from Henry Hudson to Walt Whitman to Cornelius Vanderbilt; see artifacts that include model ships, 18th-century silver sugar tongs, oyster shells larger than your hand and circa-1900 women’s carriage boots featuring brocaded silk with fur trim; and explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods and destinations, ranging from Chinatown to Coney Island, complete with 1890 amusement-park tickets.

Badges owned by Robert Moses, with case: “Commissioner, Department of Parks, City of New York” (left) and “Chairman, Triborough Bridge Authority,” 1924-1960. Museum of the City of New York, gift of Mary and Helen O’Sullivan, 94.64.7. Courtesy Museum of the City of New York.

The second gallery is devoted to “World City, 1898-2012,” and is a showcase of “the dizzying evolution of New York as it grew into a modern global metropolis in the 20th century.”

You can listen to Theodore Roosevelt in a 1912 audio recording by Thomas A. Edison on “Social and Industrial Justice” and hear him address the issue of a living wage. (Always a timely topic, it seems.)

This gallery takes the visitor on a fast-paced jaunt with stops to see even more stunning New York artifacts. There’s a 1920s dance dress complete with silk fringe that would catch any flapper’s eye. We see tap shoes worn by Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and then somberly walk through the Depression before continuing the journey. A Look magazine spread on Lincoln Center calls the then-new complex “Culture City,” noting it as the “new U.S. capital for the performing arts.” There are baseballs signed by Jackie Robinson and a mini chandelier that decorated a Tiffany & Co. window in 1961, as well as a 1951 Vogue photograph by Cecil Beaton featuring models standing in front of the groundbreaking art of Jackson Pollock.

We explore the city’s economic woes of the 1960s and ’70s, also a time of racial tension, and then revisit the heyday of graffiti, the birth of hip hop and the heady days of disco, complete with a case full of Studio 54 memorabilia. Along the way, we meet “Sesame Street” and Patti Smith, the poli-

tics of Ronald Reagan, the devastation of the AIDS epidemic and experience New York’s “New Gilded Age,” illustrated by elements including a storyboard for the movie “Wall Street.” Sobering moments include looks at 9/11 and the social strife of Occupy Wall Street, leading up to the exhibition’s final focus year, 2012, which includes the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

In the last gallery, “New York at Its Core” looks ahead with “Future City Lab,” a “cutting-edge interactive space that explores challenges and opportunities facing New York and invites visitors to help imagine the city’s future.”

It’s a high-tech space that explores topics ranging from housing and population to nature and climate change, considering how people will live and work in New York through 2050.

Once you’ve toured the three well-designed spaces, feel free to pause in the shadow of the museum’s sweeping staircase, reflecting on the equally sweeping — and rewarding — exhibition.

With the stately building also including a lightfilled café and not one but two museum shops, Museum of the City of New York — and “New York at Its Core” — offers a most enjoyable and thought-provoking way to celebrate a love of the city.

Museum of the City of New York is at 1220 Fifth Ave. (at 103rd Street). For more, visit mcny.org.

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THE BRITISH FRENCH IMPRESSIONIST COMES TO GREENWICH

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

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Alfred Sisley’s “The Flood at Port Marly” (1876), oil on canvas, Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection on loan at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid.

When you think of the French Impressionists — perhaps as famous a group of artists as there is today — the name “Alfred Sisley” does not come readily to mind.

And yet, Sisley was a charter member of the Société anonyme coopérative des peintres, sculpteurs, graveurs, etc. — what was called derisively then and admiringly now the Impressionists. Indeed, he exhibited with Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste Renoir in their first show, in 1874, and on three subsequent occasions — in 1876, 1877 and 1882. (Other members included Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt, the only American.)

That Sisley is not as celebrated as many of his colleagues says perhaps more about his temperament and the vagaries of fate and fame than it does about his art.

You have to wonder what he would have thought of the just-opened “Alfred Sisley (18391899): Impressionist Master” — through May 21 at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich — surely one of

the most ravishing shows to come to this area in a long time. Sisley, from a well-to-do British family of shifting fortunes, strove to be entrepreneurial.

Indeed, we learn from MaryAnne Stevens’ essay in the coveted accompanying catalog (Bruce Museum/Hotel de Caumont Centre d’Art) that it was Sisley, along with Morisot and Renoir, who organized an auction of the group’s works during a market downturn.

Yet he was a private man with no gift for self-promotion. In a way, his art and his life were metaphors for each other. His success and his limitations lay in his desire to stay within himself.

That was certainly true of his painting, which remained faithful to the original premise of French Impressionism. Not for him the bright lights and boulevards of Pissarro, the pearlescent nudes of Renoir, the flitting dancers of Degas, the domestic WAGMAG.COM

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drama of Cassatt or the versatile genius of Monet.

“He was a pure landscape painter whose vision was entirely directed by sky, land and water in all its variety and combinations,” Richard Shone writes in the catalog. In his only writing about his work — no Vincent van Gogh, he — Sisley pronounced the sky the key pictorial element and said that he always began a painting with it.

“Boat During the Flood at Port-Marly” (1876) gives us a signature Sisley sky, with patches of ochre, opal and periwinkle reflected in watery shards that also turn a mustard and white building into a shimmery mirage. In “Foggy Morning, Voisins” (1874), the blue, gray, periwinkle sky envelops and tinges trees, fencing, flower beds and even the bent figure of a woman picking blossoms, who, in typical Sisley fashion, remains almost unnoticed in the landscape.

It was no doubt the Sisleyean sky palette that led Shone to declare Sisley — along with Monet — “the great painter of snow.

“Has any other painter suggested so well a sky imminent with snowfall or one that is clearing after rain?”

Some critics have attributed Sisley’s moody palette and reticence to his Britishness. He was born in Paris on Oct. 30, 1839 — the year photography was invented — to a successful textile merchant

who sent his son to London in 1857 to learn the family business. But Sisley’s heart belonged to art and Paris, in particular the Forest of Fontainebleau, which Shone calls “the ‘cradle’ of French landscape painting.”

In the 1860s, Sisley studied with Swiss academic painter Charles Gleyre in preparation for the École des Beaux-Arts and exhibition at the official Salon.

He also established relationships with those artists

Alfred Sisley’s “Church at Moret” (1893), oil on canvas.

Photograph courtesy Musée Calvet d’Avignon.

who would form the core of the Impressionists.

Sisley lived on the western outskirts of Paris before moving to Moret-sur-Loing, southeast of the Forest of Fontainebleau. These areas, along with three visits to the United Kingdom — including a stop at Hampton Court Palace, a favorite of Henry VIII’s — would inspire him for the rest of his life.

Today, that inspiration is worth millions. But Sisley never saw financial success. His liaison with Breton Eugénie Lescouezec — the mother of his two children, Pierre and Jeanne, and later his wife — led his father, William, to cut off his allowance (although he did try to help him during the Franco-Prussian War). The war itself dealt several blows, destroying Sisley’s home and studio at Bougival and William Sisley’s business, spurring the elder Sisley’s mental instability.

Through it all, the French Impressionist persisted, emphasis on the word “French.” In 1898, a year after marrying Lescouezec in Cardiff, Wales, Sisley applied for French citizenship but was denied. A second attempt was scudded by illness.

Sisley died on Jan. 29, 1899, a few months after his wife, in Moret-sur-Loing. Like the hero of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore,” the perhaps quintessential French Impressionist “remains an Englishman.”

For more, visit brucemuseum.org.

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HATS OFF TO STYLE

BY MARY SHUSTACK PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY KAREN HENRIKSEN

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British milliner Karen Henriksen draws inspiration from vintage styles but combines that retro appeal with a savvy take on what people today are looking for in a hat.

Practicality and comfort are just as important as style to Henriksen, elements that combine to expand her brand’s global reach.

Though working in the millinery industry since the 1990s, Henriksen established her own label in 2003 following graduation from the Royal College of Art in London.

Presenting both men’s and women’s collections each season, Henriksen offers hats that are recognized for what she calls their “striking a carefully considered balance between innovation and accessibility and combining style with functionality.”

She adds she “brings a milliner’s aesthetic to everyday headwear,” emphasizing precision pattern-cutting and drawing on her passion for beautiful (and practical) fabrics.

It’s all designed to offer a bit of a challenge to the traditional look, while not straying too far from familiar ground.

And she’s definitely got a growing audience.

A participant since 2007 in the accessories trade show held during Paris Fashion Week, Henriksen presents four collections each season, including women’s, couture, men’s and the unisex Windswept range. All are made — entirely — in her Central London studio at Cockpit Arts, which bills itself as “an award-winning creative business incubator for designer-makers.”

The designs are carried in fashion and department stores and specialty boutiques around the world, including Suzanne Couture Millinery on East 61st Street in Manhattan, as well as through Henriksen’s ever-growing online store.

Maybe it’s time to join the Henriksen fan club.

Private clients already include members of the British royal family, as well as actors David Tennant and Carey Mulligan.

The author of “Design & Make Fashion Hats” (A&C Black Publishers, Ltd., London, 2009), considered a must-have for millinery students, Henriksen recently took the time to answer a few questions for WAG.

Is there such a thing as “a hat person”?

“I often meet people who admire my hats but say they’re not a hat person, and others who say

Styles created by British milliner Karen Henriksen are sold – and worn – around the world. Here, a model sports the ‘Kathy’ cloche in flame Spectrum wool with limited-edition vintage buttons. Inset, from top, the ‘DC’ Windswept cap in silk tweed and the ‘Kathy’ cloche in heather Shetland wool.

they definitely are a hat person. So, yes, I guess there is such a thing. Having said that, I do believe there is at least one hat style or design to suit everyone, and there are some lucky people who can wear almost any style and look good. And, far from being the case that you need confidence to wear a hat, in fact the right hat gives you confidence. I get so many nice reports back from my clients saying that they regularly get stopped in the street and receive compliments from complete strangers.”

My own SS17 collection is called ‘Sports Day’ and does include all of the above.”

Who is your ideal customer?

“Probably someone who gets that an everyday accessory can (or even should) be interesting, special and beautiful, as well as practical. I like to know that my hats are being worn and loved day in and day out, not kept in a box!”

What style or look do you consider your signature?

“I like to play with classic styles and make them into something new and, perhaps, slightly unexpected but still very accessible and relevant to how we live our lives. So my own modern interpretations of the cloche hat have become my mainstay in the women’s collection. Also, the Windswept range, which developed from my M.A. at the Royal College of Art, is perhaps my original signature look — with sweeping asymmetric seams.”

What changes have you seen in the field since you started designing and what are trends for 2017?

“Since the global financial crash, I think it has become even harder to earn a living from making purely ‘special occasion’ millinery, which is the main business for the vast majority of milliners, at least here in the U.K. I do continue to make sculptural couture pieces for clients going to the races or weddings, etc., and love making these, although I have certainly found that my couture range has become a much smaller part of my business over the years.

In contrast, I consider myself very fortunate that I have found a niche for myself designing and making everyday hats for both women and men. This has become by far my main occupation, and I am at least as passionate about it as the couture side.

Trends for 2017 — seems there will be lots of color, and sports influence alongside very feminine ruffles and bows.

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How many hats do you yourself own? Are they all of your design — and do you wear them throughout the year?

Karen Henriksen models one of her own designs.

“Not sure — quite a lot. Yes, all my own design, although I do also have a few vintage hats. I often wear my new designs for research as well — to check how well they wear over time. It’s mostly the autumn/winter hats that I wear, although I do have a good range of my visors, which I wear constantly in the summer as protection from the sun.”

For more, visit karenhenriksen.co.uk.

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DREAM DESTINATION

BY MARY SHUSTACK PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY ASSOULINE

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A new book “Venetian Chic” explores the wonders of the Italian city.

Photograph © Robyn Lea.

Those lucky enough to travel to Venice — surely considered one of the world’s most romantic cities — no doubt make memories that last a lifetime.

And this month proves a most popular time to visit, with the Carnival of Venice set for Feb. 11 through 28. The pre-Lenten festival known for its elaborate costumes and dramatic masks is an enduring annual celebration of history, culture — and not just a little intrigue.

But that’s simply a reflection of Venice itself, a treasure trove of elaborately detailed architecture, rich artistic traditions and familiar (though ever-fanciful) scenes of canals, bridges and gondolas that spark countless daydreams.

Now readers around the world have the chance to explore this storied Italian destination with a savvy insider thanks to “Venetian Chic,” (Assouline, $85), released this month.

Our guide is Francesca Bortolotto Possati, the Venetian art connoisseur, interior designer and hotelier who knows well the intricacies of her native city, one that she describes in her opening essay as a “wonderfully addictive, mercurial place.”

It’s one, too, where daily visitors outnumber the population.

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“Venetian Chic” is released this month by Assouline.

Image courtesy Assouline.

Venice, she adds, has “a world of hidden entrances, chance encounters, and new opportunities, underscored by a wonderful sense of blurred boundaries as architecture literally gives way to the sea.”

Clearly, this will be no standard tour, as Possati’s words — and stunning photographs by Robyn Lea — take us on private excursions to artists’ studios, elegant residences and historic palaces.

We are immediately immersed in a world of velvet and brocade, mirrors and Venetian glass, breathtaking rooflines and stunning staircases, intricately painted ceilings and quiet corners in secret gardens.

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It’s clear that Possati, CEO of the Bauer Hotel group, knows her city in a way few will experience, and her passion is translated both here and in her preservation efforts. She is a board member of Save Venice Inc., a foundation dedicated to restoring important works of Venetian architecture and art.

Venice, it seems, touches all who visit, a point made clear in the foreword by British actor Jeremy Irons, who speaks of being welcomed by the city “on a few fine occasions” and being left “with a multitude of plangent memories.” From walking through the deserted city at night to a moment on the Lido in the pouring rain to filming “Brideshead Revisited” with Laurence Olivier, his treasured memories of Venice are about, he writes, “Reveling in this ancient place that refuses to change.”

Quotes about Venice are also sprinkled throughout the pages that follow, adding a charming touch and dramatic pause. These are words uttered or written over the centuries, from the 16th-century French king, Henry III, to 19th-century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to contemporary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

But it is in the words of French novelist Marcel Proust (1871-1922) that perhaps we have the most evocative summation: “When I went to Venice, I discovered that my dream had become — incredibly, but quite simply — my address.”

For more, visit assouline.com.

The Gift of Caregiver Relief this Winter

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During the week, take advantage of our vibrant Adult Day Program with free local transportation for daytime peace of mind. Or, plan a getaway knowing overnight respite guests with Alzheimer’s and dementia can stay with us for as short as a week at The Village, our award-winning Assisted Living community. Our trusted care can even come to you – whether personalized assistance or just a helping hand – through Waveny’s home-based services. Or, choose any combination of our services and programs to meet your unique needs and preferences.

Conveniently located in New Canaan, Waveny’s continuum of care flows fluidly within a single non-profit organization, without any expensive buy-in fees or long-term commitments. So if downsizing into a caring and compassionate independent living community is something you’re considering, winter is the perfect time to take advantage of a 3-month trial at The Inn. Discover more by dropping by, calling 203.594.5302 or visiting waveny.org.

STEP GENTLY Artist Linda Filley creates one-of-a-kind shoes

BY MARY SHUSTACK | PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY LINDA FILLEY

When Linda Filley is creating her one-of-akind shoes, practicality is of no concern.

After all, the fanciful creations will never be worn.

“You’re not doing it so they’re comfortable,” she says with a smile.

No, these works crafted by hand and wholly out of paper are destined, rather, simply to set a shoe lover’s heart racing — and a collector’s mind plotting the next acquisition.

The excitement inspired by her work is palpable, sweeping WAG right in.

It was late November when Paper Trail, a boutique in Rhinebeck noted for its sophisticated and eclectic offerings, sent out an email with a near-breathless subject line: “Breaking News: Linda Filley Paper Shoes Are Back!”

It went on to share that “a new collection of exquisite paper shoes by Linda Filley has arrived!” and gave “a taste of her dazzling new creations” with a handful of images.

From first glance, WAG had to know more, which in time has brought us to Filley’s Millbrook home/studio on a recent morning.

After a cup of tea and chat in her sun-filled dining area, the artist takes us up into the studio.

Linda Filley names each of her designs. Here, “Gem.”

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CREATIVE SANCTUARY Walking to the top-floor space, Filley offers a little disclaimer.

“The house is really neat and tidy and then we come up here and it all falls apart,” she says with a laugh.

But the equally bright space is a delight, where the eye darts from wallpaper scraps to sheet music, shopping bags to boxes. All — along with an array of scissors, paint, brushes and her trusty glue gun — are her tools.

That shopping bag on the floor, the one featuring a scroll-like pattern, is not for storage.

“Anything gets used. That bag will get used,” Filley says, pointing to the bag.

“I have to shop so I get cardboard boxes,” she says with a sly look.

Here, often for five hours a day, Filley creates her one-of-a-kind work, one at a time. Each shoe, which averages 8 inches in length, takes anywhere from one to four days.

Gathering materials is a constant, and she loves going to estate sales “finding old wallpaper, old maps, old letters.”

Not everything, though, is fair game, such as some maps recently discovered at a local antiques shop.

“Sometimes you don’t want to tear apart things that are beautiful.”

She prefers to take old scraps — such as crumbling stretches of wallpaper that she strengthens with new backing — and give them new life.

Inspiration can come from everything, from her walking — “and I’ll see a color” — to a captivating print or design. Vintage sheet music has been the focal point of a slender, pointy-toed slipper, while a stretch of old wallpaper formed the heart of a high-heeled design that calls to mind a bouquet of flowers.

There’s never a predetermined plan, though Filley does have a template from which she cuts out the sole — and decides the heel height.

“I always go ‘Flat, medium or high?,’ and it all depends, what kind of mood I’m in… You explore the different heights, the relationships.”

She is constantly surprised in her work.

“It just grows from here. You start somewhere and by mistake you do something — and then you’re off and running.”

Filley, an avowed shoe lover who happens to be in stocking feet during our visit, says she’ll sometimes add a bit of “splatter painting” but on the whole, will not add embellishment to her paper finds.

Even though she brought back buttons from a European jaunt, for example, she eventually decided not to incorporate them into her work.

“Once you start doing that, it takes away… the unity of it. It mixes the material too much.”

From top, “Big Nite,” “Curious” and “Fiddlehead.”

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For Filley, the work is quite natural.

“I cannot spell. I can’t remember anything. But I don’t need a ruler,” she says of her ability to be precise in her work — and at one with her surroundings.

Though she and her husband, who’s in film and television production, have a place in New York City, Filley prefers to work out of this studio. She may refer to it as a place of “chaos,” but it clearly works for her.

“It’s amazing. I don’t remember what I had for lunch but I can be here and think of that piece of paper and know exactly where to find it.”

Filley says she does craft each shoe with a character in mind, the woman who will “wear” it. Her love of dance, she says, is also an enduring thread through the delicate creations that she says, in their intricacy and balance, are “ballet-based.”

And while Filley knows some collect her work, she does not.

“I have one,” she says. “There’s something about it. Whenever I feel ‘I don’t have it’ or ‘I don’t feel good about it,’ I look at it and say ‘I love it,’” and the crisis passes.

ONE STEP AT A TIME It’s not like Filley always wanted to make paper shoes, but it seems her life was building up to this endeavor.

“I have sort of done a little bit of everything.”

Born in Scotland and raised in Montreal, where her family relocated when she was just a baby, Filley grew up appreciative of the city’s cosmopolitan feel, which fueled her love of fashion, her imagination — and her taste for travel.

“Oh, I’ve been all over the place,” she says, and indeed our conversation touches on everything from classes at The Art Students League of New York to the flea markets of Paris to shoe shopping in Hong Kong.

“I love shoes. Oh my God,” she says.

For years Filley was based on Martha’s Vineyard where she and her sister-in-law had a studio and Filley painted not only on canvas but on goods including rugs and pocketbooks.

She loved the work, along with the inspiration provided by her surroundings.

“It was wonderful in a way because you have your fish and sea shells and birds — everything I love.”

During the dead of winter, Filley would hit the road.

“You would do anything that you could,” she says.

“That’s what you did back then. You roamed.”

Filley and her family would land in Alpine, New Jersey, with their Dutchess County country house eventually becoming home base. It was a move, she says, that especially pleased her equestrian-minded daughter (who would grow up to become a horse trainer).

THE PERFECT FIT Creating shoes actually came about in a most serendipitous manner.

Filley says she was long a person who gave elaborately wrapped gifts that had people asking, “Wow, how did you do that?”

“I’ve always loved wrapping and visuals, and I didn’t know where it all fit,” she says of the effort she realized was creative but couldn’t see it progressing.

“That was the frustrating part, because I was looking for ‘a product.’ How do you find a way to include something like that into something you can work with?”

In time, she would turn that talent for gift wrapping into making paper dresses, which became signature displays for Paper Trail in Rhinebeck.

Maureen Missner, an owner of the shop, is a longtime friend and fan.

“Linda has a remarkable eye, a highly distinctive personal style that is reflected in whatever she touches,” she says. “Her sophisticated visual sense, whether it’s store display and merchandising, interior design, color, garden design, her photography, her fashion sense are all amazing.”

And it all comes together, Missner continues, in the shoes — first crafted out of a collection of old book-binding papers from Filley’s mother-in-law: “The first shoes were mounted as toppers on Christmas gifts, one to me and one to my business partner, Serine (Hastings). I don’t even remember what the gift was that year, because the shoe sitting on top of the package was the most amazing thing of all. This led to conversations about the development of doing shoes for Paper Trail.”

And develop it did, Missner says.

“The first collection was shown as part of a Linda Filley Retrospective (think Met Costume Institute-style). The paper mannequins she created for our shop had become a signature, people waiting in great anticipation for her amazing next ‘lady in the window.’ So we cleared the front of the shop and mounted a show of the mannequins that she’d done over a period of two or three years, on pedestals, and presented the new shoe collection on a table in the center. That evening, every shoe sold. They resonated with our customers, as they had with us. And so the anticipation of each year’s ‘collection’ builds.

They’re artful and fanciful and we love them.”

Linda Filley in her Millbrook studio. Photograph by Mary Shustack.

A BIGGER CLOSET Of late, Filley says she has felt the need to expand her business — and broaden her reach.

“I sort of do enough to keep me busy,” she says.

“But it’s time to move on, be a big girl.”

She is not precious about her creations. They are meant to be sold.

“I’ve always worked in stores,” she says, before adding with a laugh: “I’m Scottish, so you can’t just do something. You’ve got to sell it.”

Filley will indeed be reaching a wider audience soon, exhibiting next month at The Norfolk Library in Connecticut’s Litchfield County.

Kristin Mudge, the art committee chair at the library, tells us she met Filley at a dinner party in Millbrook about a year ago.

“When she told me about her paper creations, I was intrigued. When the art committee and I sat

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down to plan our 2017 schedule, we began looking at Linda’s work, and we all agreed that a show of her colorful, whimsical and finely crafted paper shoes would be a fun and unique way to ‘march’ us into springtime….”

The committee, no doubt, saw the same things that Missner has long appreciated.

“Linda finds inspiration in so many things, and the shoes are this incredible coming together of all these bits and pieces of moments, fragments in her personal world,” she says.

For Filley, it’s turned out to be a world as sweet as she hoped.

“When I first started doing them, I wanted to do something beautiful,” she says. “It would be like a cake.”

Left, “Slipper Limpid,” and right, “Warbler.”

And fans can’t wait to dig in.

“Well Heeled” will run from March 5 though 29 at The Norfolk Library in Litchfield County, with an opening reception set from 4 to 6 p.m. March 5. For more on the exhibition, visit norfolklibrary. org. For more on Filley’s work, follow her on Instagram or visit lindafilleypapershoes.com or papertrailrhinebeck.com.

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Turkish delights in Larchmont

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

J

Jewelry lovers can be forgiven for lingering in Chakarr. The Larchmont boutique is that kind of store.

Momma Bird necklaces, the store’s first big seller, that express mother love — while conveying the size of her brood in delicate stones that play at the throat and riff on the 1970s tennis necklace. Moody rings in rose quartz and aquamarine.

Long tassel necklaces, all the shimmering rage right now. Byzantine Cuff bracelets that suggest the medieval East. Coin necklaces and bracelets with an Augustan or Herculean flair.

They’re items with an ancient twist to attract the modern woman, says Justin Tillman, who does marketing for the store.

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One of Chakarr’s Luna bracelets. Photograph by Sebastian Flores.

“GROWING UP IN SUCH A HISTORICAL AND DIVERSE CITY AS ISTANBUL, YOU HAVE TO REFLECT THAT AUTHENTICITY IN YOUR ART,” — Ferzan Cakarr

Chakarr Jewelry is a mother-daughter tale of East meets West. It begins with Ferzan Cakarr (slightly different spelling), a jewelry designer based in Istanbul, where she studied sculpture and painting. The former Constantinople and Byzantium, Istanbul is that cosmopolis of crossroads, the onetime capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. When Cakarr settled

on jewelry design as a vehicle for her art in 1998, she wanted not only to draw on the centuries-old traditions of metal-smithing and casting for her one-of-a-kind pieces but to capture the cultural richness of the city she calls home.

“Growing up in such a historical and diverse city as Istanbul, you have to reflect that authenticity in your art,” she says on the company’s website.

From the galleries and stores of Turkey she made a name for herself in Europe after collaborating with a fashion house in 2001. Today, Tillman says, she directs a shop and atelier in Istanbul with some nine assistants.

Enter daughter Benan Chakarr, who came to the United States as an exchange student. When she graduated in 2009 from Binghamton University, where she studied political science, Chakarr wanted to remain in America. Soon that desire dovetailed with finding an American market for her mother’s creations and she was off exploring trade shows and the wholesale market. She opened the Larchmont boutique in a onetime design store on Feb. 12, 2012.

Says Tillman: “It’s a little shop but we make magic happen.”

For more, visit chakarr.com.

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Food for more than thought

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEBASTIAN FLORES

A

At a time when the mainstream media is under attack, we offer a story of how good old-fashioned journalism has helped someone pay life’s blessings forward.

Rachel Dalton, a lovely Harrison-based lawyer and event producer, has always believed in giving back. With husband Mark and their three children, she has been involved in individual charitable endeavors, often through the synagogues to which they belong — the Jewish Community

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Sherri and Pasquale Falco with Rachel Dalton.

Center of Harrison and Temple Israel of the City of New York in Manhattan.

But to her mind, WAG’s December “Celebrate the Spirit of Giving” issue took inspiration and action to another plane. Dalton, whose company Premier Parties “secures and produces celebrity talent for events,” was impressed with our section and stories on local luminaries’ work with nonprofits. One article in particular caught her eye — Ryan Deffenbaugh’s profile of Mark Bezos, a philanthropist and Scarsdale volunteer firefighter.

“I was taken with how he said doing one small thing can make a big difference,” Dalton says over tea at The Westchester in White Plains. The Bezos family spends one day a week picking up trash along the Hutchinson River Parkway.

That got Dalton thinking. Further inspiration came from a different source. She was in a favorite haunt, Casa d’Italia Sandwich Shoppe in Harrison, looking for the best bread to make panini when a worker offered her some rolls from a big bag of day-old bread that was headed for the trash. “And I said, ‘No, no, no, you cannot throw this out,’” Dalton recalls. That led her and her family to form the

‘NO, NO, NO, YOU CANNOT THROW THIS OUT, (RACHEL) DALTON RECALLS. THAT LED HER AND HER FAMILY TO FORM THE GROUP FED BY BREAD, WHICH DELIVERS BREAD FROM CASA D’ITALIA ONE DAY A WEEK TO BREAD OF LIFE HOPE FOR THE HUNGRY IN RYE.

group Fed by Bread, which delivers bread from Casa d’Italia one day a week to Bread of Life Hope for the Hungry in Rye. In the United States, we tend to think of hunger as an Other World problem. Recently, The New York Times carried a particularly heartbreaking front-page story about a Venezuelan boy, Kevin Lara Lugo, who died of starvation on his 16th birthday last July.

But one in five people in Westchester alone — one of the richest places on the face of the Earth — is food-insecure. Bread of Life — described as a branch of the nonprofit Giving Tree Global — strives to combat that disturbing statistic with a figure of its own, feeding almost 12,000 hungry people a week in Westchester and Rockland counties either at its site or through distributions of fresh bread, meats, fruits and vegetables to recipients ranging from the Carver Center in Port Chester to the Union Baptist Church in White Plains.

As its literature explains, “Bread of Life receives its food supplies from various sources, but one unique source is donations by local businesses of

excess food that would otherwise be discarded as waste.”

Businesses like Casa d’Italia, where owners Steve and Lucy Selvaggio have also gotten their Bronx distributor into the act. Dalton calls the Selvaggios as well as Bread of Life founders Pasquale and Sherri Falco the real heroes of this story. (He was a successful contractor and stonemason, she was a Harvard-educated lawyer with a slew of degrees and an international player with Procter & Gamble before they gave it all up to start Bread of Life.)

There are, of course, many paths to heroism.

Growing up locally, Dalton knew she wanted to do something with sports and entertainment.

(Her brother, Mitch Marrow, played for the Carolina Panthers.) The love of sports and entertainment led her to the law and then 15 years ago to found Premier Parties, handling the legal and production side of securing talents like comedian and “Saturday Night Live” alumnus Darrell Hammond and musicians Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor.

Bread of Life food pantry.

It’s a heady career whose high is matched in a different way by her work with Bread of Life.

“It feels so good knowing the food is not going to waste,” she says. “And I’m so happy that my kids can see how one small thing can grow and help so many people.”

For more, visit givingtreeglobal.org/breadof-life, call 914-602-9783 or email info@givingtreeglobal.org.

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MARK TEIXEIRA’S FIELD OF CINEMATIC DREAMS

BY PHIL HALL • PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN RIZZO

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It’s not unusual for athletes to cross over from the playing fields to the entertainment industry.

But some prefer a more behind-the-scenes, grassroots approach. For newly retired New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, his involvement in the film world is not on camera in La La Land, but on the board of directors of the Greenwich International Film Festival, which celebrates its third season June 1 through 4.

Teixeira, a Greenwich resident, also serves as cultural ambassador of the organization, touring the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla and Family Centers in lower Fairfield County for an episode of NBC’s “Give” that airs in April. Both nonprofits will be beneficiaries of a portion of the proceeds from the 2017 festival, and GIFF will have an advance screening of the program March 5.

“It’s a feel-good, makes-you-want-to-cry episode,” says Ginger Stickel, GIFF’s executive director, adding that it’s an honor to work for an organization whose films not only support charitable causes but shed light on the social issues of the day.

That’s the kind of pitch that appealed to Teixeira, who was known as a Yankee with a big heart.

“Wendy Reyes had mentioned something to me about putting together a film festival,” he says, referring to the festival’s co-founder and chairwoman. “She wanted my thoughts and to see if I wanted to help out. She told me the background of the festival was highlighting films that had social change aspects to them and that are not getting out otherwise. Plus, the dollars we created from the festival would go right back to the community. To me, that sounded like a great idea and we started spit-balling ideas a year and a half before the first festival took shape.”

GIFF premiered in 2015, and while Teixeira was a popular participant in a panel discussion at the event “Sports Guys on Sports Movies,” the main thrust of his work was away from the spotlight.

“I was always the connector,” he says. “When I was playing baseball, I was always busy, so I didn’t have a ton of time to be really involved from February to October. In the off-season, however, I would introduce people and I would send emails and see if friends that I have in the movie business were interested. Through that, I tried as much as I could to

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connect Wendy and Colleen (de Veer, the festival’s co-founder and programming director) with as many people as possible.”

As the festival approaches its third year, Teixeira is encouraged with it placing a strong emphasis on the business aspect of show business.

“Our goal is to be able to bring the business of moviemaking and moviemakers together,” he says.

“Greenwich and the New York area are finance-central, and for the great scripts out there that haven’t been made, we want to bring the financiers of film and the filmmakers together. We want people to know that if no one finances films, films don’t get made. We found that big blockbusters are getting made by the big studios and small shoe-string independents are getting made, but the in-between films aren’t being made as much anymore.”

The 2017 festival will be back at the Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas at Greenwich Plaza. Teixeira views the big-screen viewing component as an important step in recovering the communal aspect of moviegoing that has been eroded by solitary viewing on laptops and cell phones.

“Going to the movies used to be an event,” he laments. “You would take your wife out for dinner or take your kids out for pizza and you’d make a whole night of it. It was a social event. The festival is helping to bring that back and helping to build the community aspect.”

Adding a little star power and exclusivity to the festival doesn’t hurt: Teixeira notes that major releases, including “Arrival,” “Entourage” and “The Big Short,” received festival screenings before going into theatrical release, and the festival’s Changemaker Award brought in Harry Belafonte and Mia Farrow in 2015 and actresses Abigail Breslin and Freida Pinto and producer Trudie Styler last year. Another well-received feature has been the meet-and-greets with film talent and audiences.

“The neatest thing for me is being able to share that with our supporters,” he says, beaming. “Every one of those pre-screenings are sold out. We have a little cocktail party and we usually have members of cast and crew come in before or after to talk about the film. The more we can do these type of things, the more people we can bring into the area.”

Teixeira adds that the festival’s philanthropic focus also helps to differentiate it from other film happenings. The proceeds from last year’s festival were allocated into $125,000 charity donations and $70,000 grants to up-and-coming filmmakers to

Mark Teixeira, center, on a 2015 Greenwich International Film Festival panel. Courtesy GIFF.

I WOULD LOVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT SPORTS AND HOW IT IMPACTS CULTURE, CHILDREN AND THE WORLD. SPORTS IS THE COMMON THEME THAT EVERYONE CAN RELATE TO. — Mark Teixeira

help them fund their work.

As for a film career of his own, Teixeira has ideas for potential projects. “I would love to be part of a short film or a documentary,” he says. “I don’t know if I have a blockbuster or superhero movie in me. I would love to do something about sports and how

it impacts culture, children and the world. Sports is the common theme that everyone can relate to.

We all play and watch some sort of sports.”

The three-time Major League Baseball All-Star and member of the 2009 World Series champion Yanks admitted enjoying films that cover his former profession, citing “61*,” “42,” “Field of Dreams” and “Bull Durham” among his favorites. But he acknowledged being unfamiliar with what many consider to be the worst baseball film of all time, the 1948 error-riddled biopic “The Babe Ruth Story.”

(Perhaps it’s just as well.)

Besides GIFF, Teixeira has also hosted a fundraising dinner for Greenwich’s Bruce Museum and immersed himself in a pair of youth-focused nonprofits — the Manhattan-based Harlem RBI and the Atlanta-based Emerald Corridor Foundation. That is when he isn’t trying to catch his breath. Retirement — he played his last game on Oct. 2 — is still new to him.

“I am going to try to rest as much as I can,” he says. “I am still trying to wind down from my baseball career. I am sorting through all my opportunities. I am getting calls every day to do all sorts of things, whether it is business-related or media-wise or philanthropy-wise. I want to make sure I am doing things that are socially impactful.”

For more, visit greenwichfilm.org.

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To ‘Sir’ with love

BY GEORGETTE GOUVEIA

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Ryan Burns, Paris, Gucci Rush, 2000. Copyright Mario Testino.

When you think of photographer Mario Testino, you may think of his now-haunting 1997 portraits of Princess Diana for Vanity Fair, which turned out to be her last official sitting and presented the world with a woman in full — chic and a little sadder for being wiser. But Testino might also bring to mind his prints and commercials for Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue fragrance, in which model David Gandy — sleekly muscular in his Dionysian beauty and tiny white swimsuit — more than held his own with a succession of female models off the isle of Capri.

“For over a century, whether treated as artist’s model, blue blood, housewife, sex object, sportswoman, woman’s woman, diva or vamp…woman has been the goddess of the godless fashion photographer,” Pierre Borhan writes in “Sir,” photographer Mario Testino’s hommage to the male of the species (Taschen, 504 pages, $69.99). “Beauty, elegance, chic and carnal attraction were the preserve of the eternal feminine.”

But amid the androgyny, feminism and gay rights movement of the 1970s, a re-dressing oc-

curred, as it were.

“As women gained ever-greater access to the world of work, emancipated themselves and acquired their independence, so men began to enter into and soon to assert themselves unreservedly in the arena of charm, seduction and eroticism,” Borhan writes. “Testino was supremely well-equipped to make this evolution part of his complicity with the ‘new man,’ the male consumer who had learnt to take care of himself….

The man who photographed Kate Moss, Gisele Bündchen, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and other top models also brought beautiful males — svelte and muscular without being outrageously pumped — into his universe of desire.”

“It is a subject that has come into focus,” Testino tells Patrick Kinmoth in an interview that forms the other essay in the book. “The masculine image, a man’s personal style, changing attitudes to the male face and body: I feel pictures of men are now scrutinized in the same way by men as those of women have been for a long time by women.”

And, might we add, pictures of men are now scrutinized by women in the way those of women have long been viewed by men.

In “Sir,” there’s plenty to ponder. A male swimmer spreads his sculpted arms against the side of a pool in 1999 Los Angeles like the wings of a condor. A roaring Andy Murray wields his racket sideways at Testino’s camera in London for American Vogue, 2010. A pensive Pierce Brosnan leans against a convertible in San Francisco for a 2008 American Vogue shoot, looking very Bond, James Bond. A group of horsemen, decked out in traditional Peruvian riding costumes for a Vogue shoot with Karlie Kloss, poses outside a Lima home, their chocolate-colored capes thrown nattily about their shoulders.

It was in Lima that Testino was born to a businessman of Italian descent and his Irish-descended wife. University courses in economics, the law and international relations taught him that these subjects were not for him. Coming of age amid the sexual dynamism of the 1970s, he took off to London, studying photography at John Vickers’ and Paul Nugent’s studios.

“I didn’t go into fashion photography because of photography,” Borhan quotes him as saying. “It was because of the fashion.” The dressing — and the undressing.

Testino’s male nudes are, Borhan writes, intimate and immediate rather than erotic.

They squeeze their perfectly molded butts into ball gowns; confront us sleepy-eyed, barring our gaze from moving down the hallway; or stand there full frontal. They’re too, um, cheeky and removed to be the work of one who wants to titillate.

“I’m not a voyeur,” Testino says. “When it comes to sex, I’d rather do it than watch it.”

For more, visit mariotestino.com and taschen.com.

Cover of Mario Testino’s “Sir” (Taschen). Copyright Mario Testino.

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY

“the evening’s most remarkable showstopper.”

The Friends & Family Concert

February 12 at 3 pm Ted Sperling, conducting Julia Bullock, soprano

SUN., FEBRUARY 5 CROWNE PLAZA, WHITE PLAINS

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1. EAT WHAT YOU LOVE.

WELL

Eat with your mind, not your eyes

BY DANIELLE RENDA

“First thing’s first,” Hurlbut said. “Eliminate the guilt.”

“As soon as you put the ‘restrict, deny, avoid’ labels on food, you want it even more,” she added.

Gatherings are not the times to push weight loss, but rather, to maintain. Instead of total restriction, it’s OK to indulge in favorites but not to excess.

2. DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH. People drink more during gatherings, she said.

But the key is to ask yourself: “How do I want to feel after the event that I’m going to, and how does alcohol affect that?”

While the host or hostess accommodates guests by filling their glasses, it’s better to decline politely and finish the drink in its entirety before refilling. Accepting refills before the drink is finished makes it difficult to determine how much alcohol you’re consuming.

Fill your own glass on your own time. And be sure to have a glass of water between alcoholic beverages.

3. POSITION IS EVERYTHING.

S

Still struggling to get into your cruise wear?

With winter stoking your appetite and gettogethers boasting hearty dinner spreads and delicious desserts, it’s challenging not to opt for the most scrumptious — and often unhealthy — offerings. (For us Waggers, this usually means seconds of cheese, cake and a combination of the two.)

But unfortunately, these selections, though quite alluring, can affect our mood, health and waistline.

Elyssa Hurlbut, registered dietician, nutrition counselor and the founder of EH Nutrition LLC in Harrison, recently stopped by TotalFusion Studios, a boutique fitness studio, also in Harrison, to offer 10 tips on remaining in control during parties and other social gatherings.

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“If you’re at a pool party,” Hurlbut said, “and positioned by the pool with one drink, you’ll socialize. But if you’re standing near the food, you’ll consume more calories.”

Standing in the social scene and away from the food table will prevent unwanted snacking and allow for better awareness. Also, using a dish, rather than snacking directly from the table or bowl, Hurlbut suggested, offers a better visual as to how much — and what — we’re eating.

4. MINDFULNESS VERSUS MINDLESSNESS. When arriving at a party hungry, we tend to eat unconsciously and just consume and consume without awareness of how much we’re actually eating, she said. When hors d’oeuvres are being passed, pause after five to ask, “Am I hungry?” Ask this question again after finishing two-thirds of the entrée.

When possible, opt for healthier options. For example, if you’re dining at a restaurant and the meal is served with fries, ask for a salad. Or ask for the fries to be served on a different plate and place this plate in the middle of the table for everyone to share.

5. WHAT’S COOKING? Home-cooked meals guarantee the use of less oil, less fat and better ingredients than those at a restaurant, she said. Try intense ingredients, like truffle oil, for better flavoring or substituting

ingredients, like using Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise and sour cream. And always “bump up the vegetables.”

6. HOW BIG IS YOUR PLATE? “If you’re going to a buffet, start with a small plate, because you eat with your eyes,” she said.

When using a large plate, the tendency is to pile food rather than portion correctly.

“This is a place where size matters,” she said jokingly. The solution: Always begin with a smaller plate, whenever possible.

7. SLOW DOWN — YOU EAT TOO FAST. “Taste, savor and slow down,” she said. “People are often getting ready for the next bite before they’ve even finished the first.” To slow down the process, she suggested eating with your nondominant hand. This goes hand-in-hand, so to speak, with plate size. When people have a smaller amount of food in front of them, they have a tendency to eat slower, “because they want to make it last.”

8. SLEEP IN, STRESS LESS. “Most people need at least six hours of interrupted sleep to function best,” Hurlbut said.

And less sleep causes greater hunger. This is because less sleep produces ghrelin, the “hunger hormone,” which boosts appetite, while more sleep produces leptin, the “satiety hormone,” which indicates fullness. So overall, sleep is your nutritional friend.

9. MAXIMIZE YOUR MOTION. “They say it’s not smoking that’s killing us anymore, it’s sedentary behavior,” she said.

Therefore, any type of motion during the day is effective. Hurlbut suggested making small changes, which can be as minimal as using the bathroom on the floor below you or taking an exercise class, which boosts motivation to continue making healthy choices throughout the day.

10. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN 2017?

Regardless of your personal goals, Hurlbut suggested maintaining a willingness to change, doing your best and continuing to raise the bar. “Nobody’s perfect,” she added, “but we can all be better.”

Hurlbut’s services include nutrition counseling for weight loss, heart health, sports nutrition, women’s health, pediatric nutrition, cancer prevention and recovery, insulin resistance and gastrointestinal issues. For more, visit ehnutrition.com.

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WANDERS

MY ROAD THROUGH MANDALAY STORY AND PHOTOGRAPH BY GINA GOUVEIA

By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin’ lazy at the sea, There’s a Burma girl a-settin’, and I know she thinks o’ me; For the wind is in the palm-trees, and the temple-bells they say: “Come you back, you British soldier; come you back to Mandalay!”

– Rudyard Kipling’s “Mandalay”

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Unlike Kipling’s, my road to Mandalay was an easy one — a 45-minute flight from Yangon International Airport outside Yangon (Rangoon), a former capital city of Myanmar, where my sister Jana is stationed as a diplomat. What strikes you immediately about Mandalay — the country’s last royal capital and second largest city, 445 miles to the north — is the blueness of the sky, the vastness of the surrounding farmland and the drier, more moderate temperatures. Humble roadside stands boast bright-colored melons while lazy oxen and herds of cattle appear here, there and everywhere. Workers in coolie hats pop

Stepping stones to serenity – and the spa at the Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel.

up more sporadically, tending to crops almost in solitude. As we leave the farmland and wind through the vibrant city, we arrive at the spot where Mandalay Hill just comes into view. It’s breathtaking, even at a mere 787 feet, and dotted throughout with classic golden pagodas, their gilded stupas pointing skyward from the sloping verdure.

It was Kipling’s poem, published in 1892 in his “Barrack-Room Ballads, and Other Verses,” that inspired the song “On the Road to Manda-

lay” performed by Nelson Eddy, Count Basie and, most famously, Frank Sinatra over the years. To visit Mandalay is perhaps to be one with Kipling and Ol’ Blue Eyes. The entire region, but particularly Mandalay Hill, is so unexpectedly scenic and exquisitely romantic, I imagine that it would make for a great destination honeymoon — or just a good place to drop off the grid.

There’s no beach or ocean, but there is the famous Irrawaddy River and its tributaries, which provide passage for the many industrial barges

that support the area’s vast timber business. Just at the foothills is a most impressive 200-feet-wide moat surrounding the remains of the Imperial Palace (2.5 square miles in total), the last vestige of British rule. It is currently undergoing some restoration so we are only able to view this landmark from its imposing exterior.

Our arrival day at the elegant Mandalay Hill Resort Hotel — hospitable and perfectly located at the base of Mandalay Hill — is one of relaxation and decompression from travel, with long, luxurious spa treatments in a detached, antique wooden and tile building on the property’s spacious grounds, which we reach by crossing a lily pond on concrete stepping stones that must be navigated with care. Ensconced in my private therapy suite perched above the water, I don’t want my service to end so I linger over tea — anything that will prevent my departure from this oasis of serenity.

Traditional Myanmar barbeque, music and dance await at one of the hotel’s acclaimed restaurants, an outdoor affair with a dramatic stage set for the evening’s festivities. If only there were better lighting, we think, as we sit in the now chilly evening amid candlelit tables to experience the show. We are enthralled with the costume and instrument changes, the ever-present puppets, both diminutive and life-size, and the grand buffet of every Myanmar specialty you can imagine.

The performers charm and entrance us. My sister tells me that this, too, is on a must-do Mandalay list and it’s right at our hotel.

Mandalay was built up in the mid-1850s on the grandest of scales by King Mindon (reigned 1853-1878), who wanted to reestablish the prestige of Burma (as Myanmar was then known) after its crushing defeat in the Second Anglo-Burmese war. The city’s historical richness beckons so we set out the following day with Alex, an engaging guide whose English is almost-perfect.

We stop at the car park on Mandalay Hill before taking a series of escalators to reach the summit and the panoramic view we have anticipated (shedding shoes before we embark in respect of the Buddhist sites we will enter). Those with more time and fortitude are able to ascend the hill by walking up a series of covered steps (1,729 to be exact) to reach the peak.

The centerpiece of the main promenade is where we pay homage to the many Buddhas depicted and make offerings depending on our wishes. My sister chooses the Buddha for beauty, and I, learning from Alex that there is no Buddha for animals, choose to make my offering for electricity to support this monumental project.

Descending, we have been forewarned, requires walking down steep, broad concrete stairways in various stages of decomposition. Along the descent we will encounter shrines to other Buddhas of bygone eras, each with a drama-filled story.

On to Shwenandaw Monastery, which has been preserved from Mandalay Palace and moved to its current location. It was at this monastery, hand-carved from teak and laden with gold leaf, that King Mindon, the most revered of the Burmese monarchs, died. The monastery’s preservation has been a significant undertaking over the course of many years, with some support coming from the United Sates, but funds have run out and it’s evident that progress has been slowed.

We travel to the outskirts of the city to take in more sights, including one of only two locations where gold leaf is made. The demanding physical labor and conditions on display are stunning; the facts and figures about the hours and processes required, mind-numbing. Young male laborers beat the molten gold with oversized hammers in a noisy, chaotic fashion that makes it impossible not to gasp and stare. The last stage is accomplished by young women — overseen by an

older, austere supervisor — sitting cross-legged in cramped quarters, cutting and stacking the now perfectly flattened leaf between precisely cut squares of bamboo paper to prepare it for shipment.

Another nearby former capital city is Amarapura, and it’s here that we visit Shwe Sin Tai Silkwear’s modest but ambitious production and retail facilities. It’s mostly a female affair, with pairs of girls working in tandem at wooden benches, following intricate patterns penciled on a grid hanging above their workbenches. Their craft is so intense and precise, they rarely acknowledge the presence of visitors. At another lonely station is an older male whose leathered feet enable him to operate a weaving machine skillfully. Their finished products are works of beauty sold across the street for modest prices, $12 to $20.

Also in Amarapura is the U Bein Bridge, the oldest and longest pedestrian bridge in the world.

How can we resist? Spanning Taungthaman Lake, it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, especially at sunset, so we arrive just ahead of it in hopes of missing the crowds. My savvy sister announces in advance that she will be staying

in the car. It’s not until we encounter sheer madness that even I, an adventurous traveler, understand why.

The “parking area” is almost unnavigable — rutty, rocky and dusty terrain with the largest dose of humanity I’ve yet to experience since we arrived. I proceed on foot with Alex to the quietest corner of land where I make a video and take photographs as he explains the lay of the land and the history of this bewildering site. Constructed of teak by hand in 1850, the bridge spans three quarters of a mile, is a mere 6 feet wide and has no handrails, so one misstep and you’re in the lake. Colorful wooden boats and local guides are available for viewing the bridge from the lake below.

From my vantage point, the whole bridge is a fluid structure — bodies moving to and fro against a dusky sky. The spectacle of the moment is well worth the effort, but I leave wishing only that I may return one day to have this experience, better equipped physically and mentally for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

For the complete story of Gina Gouveia’s journey to Myanmar, visit wagmag.com.

LEONARDO CREMONINI 1925-2010

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WEAR

Classic design meets modern tech

BY DANIELLE RENDA

S

Some say it’s bad luck to give someone an empty wallet.

But for luxury leather goods manufacturer Royce, an empty wallet built a business.

Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, Royce’s roots date from 1944, when leather artisan Eugene Bauer, an Austrian immigrant, handcrafted a classic leather wallet. Some 70 years later, this product is the underpinning of a fourth-generation company.

Royce, a wholesaler to the e-commerce, corporate and retail markets, offers an array of travel leather goods for men and women, including cases for identification cards, credit cards and passports, cosmetic bags and luggage, in various colors, sizes and styles.

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“Power Bank Charging Luxury Backpack” by Royce New York. Photographs courtesy Royce New York.

All of its products, which are handmade primarily of American calfskin leather, boast clean lines and superior quality.

“We’re all about empowering you and making the journey easier,” says William Bauer, managing director of Royce.

Royce may pride itself on the traditional artistry of its products, but it’s also cognizant of consumers’ growing safety and security needs. In addition to classic wallets, Royce offers tech items, like a wallet containing a shield that prevents hackers from electronically reading your credit cards.

For modern convenience, Royce also offers a “Power Bank Charging Luxury Backpack,” one of its most popular items this season. The leather backpack contains a built-in power source and USB cable for on-the-go cell phone charging.

“You can be walking through Manhattan using your phone while it’s actually charging from the backpack,” says Bauer. “It makes traveling and commutes much more convenient.”

For a signature touch, all of Royce’s products offer an engraving option. It’s a two-minute process in which the company’s expert craftsmen use a 24-karat gold foil combined with hand pressure to leave an everlasting mark, like initials, full names or messages, on the product.

It’s also an experience, because at Royce’s locations — at all Lord & Taylor stores — engraving is done instantaneously.

“It’s something that offers a truly gratifying experience, because customers can see it being done in front of them,” Bauer says.

The presence of these locations and on-site engravings is new for Royce, as is its name. The company, formerly the Emporium Leather Co. Inc., was strictly a private manufacturer for other brands, corporate work and custom orders until its recent transition directly into consumer markets.

According to Bauer, the Lord & Taylor, at 424 Fifth Ave. in Manhattan is Royce’s “predominant engraving spot,” but engraving can be done at other Lord & Taylor locations.

For more, visit royceleathergifts.com.

3-D Printing Solves Hair Loss

H

ow long have you been waiting for a real solution for hair loss?

Years? Decades? If you’ve wanted to avoid surgery and invest in a sure thing, the wait is over. The innovative laboratories of Cesare Ragazzi in Bologna, Italy have poured years of investment, research and focus into solving hair loss using 3-D printing. The technology has finally been perfected, and Unique Hair Concepts in Ardsley, New York (Westchester County) is now the region’s exclusive resource for the one-of-a-kind, custom, 3-D printed hair prosthetics made possible by Cesare Ragazzi’s Laboratories.

ONE-OF-A-KIND, 3-D PRINTED HAIR PROSTHETICS Imagine a hair prosthetic, built from scratch, precisely for you. Imagine a permanent replacement that replicates your natural hair in every way except that it doesn’t grow. No surgery. No scarring.

No side effects. Just Before and after with perfect hair client wearing CNC 3-D Hair Prosthesis.

— exactly the way you want it — that can be tweaked to adapt to changes in your hair and scalp.

That’s what Cesare Ragazzi has made possible by combining sophisticated scalp mapping with the most advanced 3-D printing technology on the market.

PRINTING A BETTER PROSTHETIC What makes 3-D printing better than any previous construction method for hair prosthetics? Precision. The unique challenge of hair loss is that, even though it happens on a huge

scale, it strikes everyone differently.

Every man, woman and child has a unique scalp shape, a unique pattern of hair loss or thinning and unique hair characteristics. No matter how flexible they got, no massproduced replacement solutions could meet the unique needs of every individual.

No individual wearer could be completely sure that a premade solution would fit him or her perfectly.

3-D printing solves all these problems in one fell swoop, and it eliminates the need for uncomfortable materials and attachment methods.

COMPLEX DIGITAL SCALP MAPPING Great outcomes come from great planning. To create a perfect replica of an individual scalp, a 3-D printer needs a great blueprint. Scalp mapping is the process of precisely measuring the contours of your scalp and transmitting that information to a uniquely programmed 3-D printer. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective), you won’t have to go to Italy to get your custom prosthetic. Flora Fuentes conducts scalp mapping at Unique Hair Concepts. With 25 years of expertise, Flora will work with you to develop your scalp map, integrate it into the design for your one- of-a-kind personalized hair prosthetic, and convey it to Cesare Ragazzi Laboratories.

INCREDIBLE, HANDMADE CONSTRUCTION We can’t say that CNC (Capelli Naturali a Contatto or Natural Contact Hair) hair systems are made completely by hand, because you already know that a lot of the magic happens thanks to a 3-D printer. Once your “second scalp” has been printed from Cesare Ragazzi’s, dermatologist-tested, breathable, UV-protective material, it winds up in the skilled hands of the technicians at

Before and after with client wearing CNC 3-D Hair Prosthesis.

Cesare Ragazzi’s Italian production facility. There, hand-picked strands of fully intact healthy human hair, in its natural state, are carefully matched to your own hair (or the new hair you’ve selected). Then an artisan individually threads each strand of hair through your 3-D printed base and secures it in place. This process creates full coverage that follows the exact angle and spacing of your own growing hair.

SPECTACULAR RESULTS You can see why 3-D printed hair systems aren’t for everyone. This level of quality and personalization takes time to complete. It also requires more investment than other methods. However, for those who want a genuinely superior option to wigs, surgeries and other non-surgical hair replacement options, there’s no better choice. With 3-D printing and scalp mapping, Cesare Ragazzi can solve hair loss challenges that have never been resolved before. To learn more about what’s possible, schedule your complimentary, private consultation at Unique Hair Concepts. Flora Fuentes and her team will help you decide whether a custom prosthetic or any other hair restoration option might be the answer to your hair loss problem “once and for all.”

Unique Hair Concepts • 547 Saw Mill River Rd #2d • Ardsley, NY 10502 • Phone: (914) 412-7700 • www.uniquehairconcepts.com

WEAR

Catching up with Cameron

I

BY DANIELLE RENDA

If anyone is a fashion connoisseur, it’s Cameron Silver.

The Beverly Hills-born, New York-based stylist, jet-setter and head-to-toe fashionisto infiltrated the red carpet with his Los Angeles store Decades, a vintage boutique that revolutionized the city’s style scene and has been draping the stars in couture for — wait for it — nearly a decade.

He shares his knowledge in “Decades: A Century of Style,” a book that’s been coined the “fashion bible,” and on Bravo!’s “Dukes of Melrose,” which follows his travels to faraway cities, where he purchases exclusive pieces for Decades.

But now the founder of the iconic store has joined forces with an iconic brand as the fashion director of Lord & Taylor’s exclusive H Halston, as well as H by Halston, exclusively for QVC. Both were inspired by Halston, as Roy Halston Frowick (1932-90) was known. He rose to fame first as a hatmaker — designing the iconic pillbox hat that Jacqueline Kennedy wore to John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration — and then as perhaps the fashion designer of the 1970s, dressing everyone from Jackie to Liz (Taylor) to Liza with a Z (Minnelli).

Halston was one of the first designers to license his name, an experiment whose time has come.

Silver is similarly forward-thinking, bringing fresh

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Cameron Silver. Photograph courtesy Cameron Silver.

looks to H Halston that are in line with current trends, though reminiscent of the brand’s sportswear origins.

WAG takes five with Silver to learn about his plans for H Halston, his take on style and his inspiration.

Why did you decide to embark on this journey with H Halston?

“Halston is the first American luxury brand and Lord & Taylor is the iconic original luxury retailer. Both names carry a tremendous amount of heritage. We had the opportunity to fuse these together and jumped at it. It resulted in a modern, fashion-forward collection that constantly offers newness and keeps the customer coming back for more.”

How does it feel taking the helm as the fashion director of such an iconic brand?

“I feel a sense of responsibility to continue the mythology of Halston historically, and excited to bring the brand well into a dynamic second decade of the 21st century.”

Do you think people will always associate Halston with the 1970s and Studio 54, regardless of the style changes?

“There’s a naïveté to only equate Halston with just the 1970s and Studio 54 aesthetic, since his sartorial impact stretches many decades and, although he captured the zeitgeist of the disco nightlife, Halston impacted women’s day wardrobes with a refreshing American effortless sportswear sensitivity that continues to inspire us today.”

If there is one piece of advice that you can offer to the modern fashionista and fashionisto, what is it, and why?

“Stand up straight. It all begins with what’s underneath… and sometimes just standing up straight can transform your look.”

What inspires you?

“I am always inspired by everyone. It sounds gratuitous, but I am a keen people-watcher and constantly observing men and women, from airports to supermarkets.”

For more about H Halston, visit lordandtaylor. com. For more about H by Halston, visit qvc.com.

WANDERS

THAT’S AMORE (AND AMOUR AND AMAR AND…)

BY JEREMY WAYNE When I think of love — and who doesn’t, in the month of February? — my thoughts invariably turn to Rome. As Sophia Loren likes to say, Roma is the city of love, even when you spell it backwards. Yes, without a doubt, Rome is all about love. First and foremost, romantic love — and Romantic love. Think of John Keats — in my opinion the greatest of the Romantic poets — who even died in the month of St. Valentine, on Feb. 23, 1823. And subverted love.

Remember poor Mrs. Stone’s unfortunate Roman Spring? Or love gone hopelessly awry. I can’t look at Castel Sant’Angelo without envisaging love-crazed

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Tosca hurling herself from its heights to her death.

I can admit to my own love affair in the Eternal City, but it was with a hotel, not a person. Right at the top of the Spanish Steps, the Hotel Hassler Roma, where I was first taken as a precocious 13-year-old by an overindulgent father, has the best address in the city, which is saying something in a city in which there are very few “bad” addresses. Service here is of the “Ask and ye shall receive” kind. Only at the Hassler the truth is you barely have to ask.

They just know what you want, usually before you know it yourself.

Hotel guest at the Belmond Copacabana Palace pool.

Courtesy the Belmond Copacabana Palace.

I have looked in at the Hassler over the years, the way old lovers like to check up on each other occasionally (so easy these days, via the internet), and I must say the flame was rekindled last year when I ate at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Imàgo. Chef Francesco Apreda creates dishes like cacao e pepe risotto and “Mumbai” penne, which reference his stints in kitchens around the world, setting them in an Italian context. They are all ambrosial. But even so, it’s the room that steals the show, with its delicate columns and ceiling, made seemingly of twinkling stars, and a view — the Quirinal, the Aventine, the Capitoline and Kayaking at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. Photograph by John Russo.

Imàgo restaurant at Hotel Hassler Roma. Courtesy Hassler Hotel Roma.

the Pantheon — that would surely melt the stoniest heart. Now, that’s amore.

So much for love. When I think of sex, on the other hand, my thoughts turn to Rio de Janiero. Let me put that another way — WAG is, after all, a family publication. What I mean is, Rio is a very sexy city. Brazilians are sexy — they can’t help it — and if that’s a “sexist” thing to say, well, guilty as charged. I love Rio, and I especially love the Belmond Copacabana Palace, an

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Art Deco beauty, originally opened in 1923, where the lobby is pure theater, with its panoply of the beautiful and tanned, and where, poolside, every girl who passes seems to be the one from Ipanema. And as for those local Brazilian guys, even the straightest North American or European alpha male guest can’t help but gawp. Copacabana Beach is just across the street from the hotel and, while it’s certainly true that there are parts of Rio where you should think twice before venturing, you get the impression that in this gilded part of town there’s not much that can’t be sorted out with um beijo (a kiss) and um abraço (a hug). (Hint, hint, Ryan Lochte.)

There are myriad other hotels and resorts that do the beach and body-beautiful well, of course. Paul Gauguin may have been a useless husband, but he knew a think or two about Polynesian sensuality. This would be a great year to visit the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, the world’s first over-water resort, as it turns 50. There the “rooms” stand on stilts over the lagoon. The poolside strut has been mastered to an art at the InterContinental David in Tel Aviv, the city that will host the biggest party in the Middle Eastern bar none in June — Gay Pride Tel Aviv. They’ll be no shortage of bodies on display there, I suspect.

Meanwhile for snow bunnies, the just-opened, majestic Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges in Courchevel, France, the European ski resort du moment, is anoth-

er gorgeous property and not short of eye candy (oh, and great skiing, too — did I forget to mention?)

Hotels, of course, can be sexy in their own right.

The jewel-like Franklin Hotel, in Knightsbridge, London, has just reopened, with a stunning new design from Anouska Hempel, whose iconic 1970s hotel, Blakes, is credited as being probably the world’s first boutique hotel. The Franklin’s guest rooms are sexily monochrome, if that is not an oxymoron, and its intimate restaurant, with ambrosial food from Michelin-starred Italian maestro, Alfredo Russo, is so cozy it’s just made for bad behavior. And newly launched in Milan is the wonderful Fifty House, small, chic and very sexy. Surprisingly, it’s the first truly comfortable design hotel for this city, which is synonymous with great design but too often at the price of comfort.

Closer to home, meanwhile, the new Ace hotel in New Orleans takes the prize for sexiest hotel I visited last year — black sheets, black bathroom, black soap and a little packet by the bed containing a single (black) condom, saying, “Use in case of fire.” Naughty.

And can there be a sexier restaurant anywhere than Keith McNally’s Augustine, in the beautiful new Beekman hotel in Manhattan’s FiDi? No, there cannot. It’s just the place for a liaison dangereuse. And, let’s face it, since 2017 is going to be the year of living dangerously, February may as well be the month of living sexily (and safely). Happy Valentine’s Day.

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WANDERS

Paris for lovers, after all

BY DEBBI K. KICKHAM

A

Ah, the City of Light — the City of Love. Being in Paris is a sensational way to create romance. I’ve discovered some hidden gems to help you enhance your time there and make your trip the most “ooh la la” ever. Remember: Hold hands throughout your journey and steal a kiss whenever you can, especially when you’re enjoying a café au lait, exploring the Eiffel Tower or shopping for that special souvenir.

Let’s start with your hotel. I’ve discovered three luxury hotels, courtesy of the Baverez family. If you’re seeking unparalleled pampering and accommodations in fantastic Paris locations, select from the Raphael, the Regina and the Majestic.

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These three properties exude nothing but elegance and with a team of expert concierges who are members of the prestigious Les Clefs D’Or (Gold Key Association), you are assured of firstclass service no matter your request.

The jewel in the Baverez crown is the Hotel Regina, ideally situated in the heart of Paris on the Rue Rivoli across from the Musée du Louvre, and within a short distance from the Paris Opera and the Grands Magasins (Galeries Lafayette and Printemps).

Filled with charm, the Regina offers the human touch that corporate-run hotels lack, says General Manager Valentino Piazzi.

Our suite, 301, featured gorgeous surroundings, including a little something all lovers will appreciate — an alcove for the king-sized bed with high-thread-count sheets, surrounded by blackout drapes, which create the impression of being in your own little Parisian world.

SENSE’S SENSIBILITY Love to shop? So does Elaine Sense, an American married to a Frenchman, who has been living in Paris for more than 20 years. Coordinating customized and “insider” shopping trips for her American friends has been a passion with her, and Sense now offers travelers full ($900) and half-day ($500) tours of her favorite stores, cafes, tea salons, ice cream shops and more through her business, Elaine’s Paris.

Sense and I made our way to the Palais-Royal, where designer shops abound and you can find exquisite merchandise that is oh-so-French and unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else. Our first stop was Gabrielle Geppert, a shop offering the ultimate in secondhand luxury designer merchandise.

Over at Secrets d’intérieurs, you’ll discover antique perfumes that you’ll never find anywhere else in the world. “We inventory only 25 bottles per month,” explained Laurent, the proprietor and, indeed, he had just a few bottles left. The boutique, for example, features a wood-and-vetiver fragrance that was made for George Sand (the paramour of pianist Frederic Chopin), along with others made in the 17th century for the ill-fated Queen Margot, who loved much but not always too well.

At Serge Lutens, ready yourself for another rich venture into the world of scent. Lutens, the former artistic director of Shiseido, created the first

woody perfume for women featuring cedar — and after that he never stopped. Today his shop offers more than 70 fragrances and also a new makeup line. The lipsticks are refillable with #7 hailed as the perfect red.

My favorite fragrance is the Rahat Loukoum, inspired by the delightful sugar-jelly candies found in Turkey. This delicious scent features almond, cherry, honey, vanilla and Turkish roses, with hints of marzipan.

PARIS ON A PASS When you’re in Paris, the trick is for you and your beloved to experience as much as you can — in the shortest time. The Paris Pass solves that problem. We chose the two-day pass that offers 48 hours of unlimited metro use, access to the hop-on, hop-off bus, free entry to most museums and, in some cases, upgraded quick entry into museums and attractions. The Paris Pass was well worth it, especially when you consider that we visited not only the usual suspects but also the Musée Gourmand du Chocolat.

BON APPÉTIT WITH BONAPPETOUR While it’s always fantastic to have a romantic dinner for two, you should consider the extraordinary experience of dining with some local Pa-

risians and indulging in a decadent home-cooked dinner. BonAppetour has locations around the world, and we thrilled to our dinner in the Paris suburbs with our hosts Catherine and Olivier.

Catherine gives French cooking lessons, so we knew we were in for a treat and her husband, Olivier, turned us on to what he said was Paris’ best restaurant, Le Bistrot Constant. (We took his advice and indeed it was magnificent. What a great tip for foodies.) Catherine hosted us in her family’s dining room, where our meal started with shrimp in a bird’s nest of puff pastry. Next came a delicious salad of grilled pumpkin, grapes, kale and red cabbage, infused with a nut oil. Our entrée was baked cod with a confit of tomatoes and grilled eggplant, all complemented with fine wines. For dessert, Catherine made a delicious rustic chocolate tart and sent us home with madefrom-scratch chocolate meringues. BonAppetour is a delightful dining experience that every food-lover should indulge in.

The five-star Hotel Regina Paris is an oasis of refinement. Courtesy the Regina.

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WANDERS

Incomparable fare at Le Bristol Paris

BY DEBBI K. KICKHAM

D Dine where you will in Paris. It enchants with unforgettable restaurants. But for a once-in-a-lifetime treat, look no further than 114 Faubourg at the elegant Le Bristol Paris, named “the best hotel in the world, 2015” in “The Gallivanter’s Guide.”

I’ve had many fabulous meals, all over the world. But I have to say that our dinner at 114 Faubourg was, hands down, the best meal I have ever eaten in my life. Anywhere.

But before I get to that, a little bit about the hotel, a world of unparalleled elegance at 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Le Bristol was the

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first hotel in France to receive the title of palace.

And what a palace it is. Bursting with precious fabrics, works of art and splendid Louis XV and Louis XVI furnishings, this is a gorgeous retreat with a unique atmosphere. Take the magnificent wrought-iron elevator and cross the plush corridors and you’ll encounter exceptional rooms and suites that are spacious and chic. They, too, are the epitome of excellence.

The same applies to 114 Faubourg. You can put to rest that stereotype of the French being rude, or of ultra-luxurious hotels being stuffy. Our waiter, Clement, was gracious; our maitre d’, Patrice Jeanne, warm and charismatic. He seemed just as thrilled to be sharing his restaurant’s experience with us as we were to be there. There were even rose petals scattered on our table. How romantic is that?

Awarded a Michelin star in 2013, 114 Faubourg has established a loyal clientele, inspiring chef Jean-Charles Cauquil to achieve new ways to wow you. The first Monday of each month, 114 Faubourg invites gourmets and oenophiles for an evening of exploration and fine wine. Once a month, Fabien Guillemot, the sommelier, asks a vintner to present one of his wines over a four-course tasting menu. Working closely with Cauquil, the food and wine complement each other superbly.

Back to our dinner. The fantastic amusebouche set the stage for the elegant meal that was to come. It consisted of morels that epitomized the true essence of a mushroom, complemented with fine wine, asparagus and foam. The mesclun salad featuring shavings of aged Parmesan and black-truffle vinaigrette was luscious and served with a Vaillons Chablis Premier Cru. We started

with blue lobster steamed with fennel, chestnut and celeriac, paired with an Alsace Riesling that was dry, crisp and fruity.

Now let me talk about the cod — oh my God, the cod. It came in a light beef broth. I know that may sound strange, but it worked because it was made with cardamom. I could have created a meal just out of that sauce. It was showcased by tasty Paimpol beans and the most delicious morsels of cabbage that I have ever tasted in my life. We also shared the confit lamb shoulder, with vegetables cooked tagine style and featuring chickpeas with cumin. Delicious, especially when indulged in with a lovely red Château Clarisse.

At this point in the dinner, every bite was my favorite. It left me speechless and, as a writer, this

The best meal Debbi K. Kickham ever had was at the colorfully elegant 114 Faubourg restaurant at Le Bristol Paris.

Photographs courtesy Le Bristol Paris.

is unheard of for me. Dessert? As a Nutella lover, anything containing chocolates and hazelnuts screams my name so we had to have the gianduja soufflé served with an insanely delicious Cognac ice cream that captured what Cognac tastes like — but without the alcohol, of course. We also had to sample the vanilla Bourbon mille-feuille (also known as the Napoleon) with salted butter caramel.

The meal was a culinary thrill. Do yourself a favor: Don’t just dine there but book at least one night at Le Bristol for a transcendent experience you will never forget.

For more, visit lebristol.com. For more on Debbi, visit gorgeousglobetrotter.com and marketingauthor.com.

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WEAR

Fur + fine fabrics are fab for Norman Ambrose

BY DANIELLE RENDA

N

Norman Ambrose is a connoisseur of fur and fine fabrics — one who goes to great lengths to please his clientele.

Since founding his eponymous brand in 2007, he’s created hundreds of exquisite pieces, ranging from the “simple” trench coat or bolero jacket to the ultra complex, machine-washable, beaded cocktail dress or intricately hand-embroidered evening gown.

But no matter the task, Ambrose and his team tackle it with ingenuity.

“Creating custom garments for a client’s lifestyle is about the fantasy at heart and, on that level, noth-

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Norman Ambrose. Courtesy Norman Ambrose.

ing seems unusual,” he says. “That’s the whole concept behind what I do and what makes the job so interesting on a daily basis.”

Ambrose uses only fine materials for his pieces, including luxurious furs like mink, sable, chinchilla, broadtail, silky lamb and fox. Style meets practicality as his outerwear is designed for women with active lifestyles.

“The ability for her to wear my designs in her life is paramount,” he says. “I use natural materials like fur, cashmere and silk, and my designs have a specific function to protect her from the natural elements, like the cold, snow and rain.”

His current best seller is a reversible raincoat that combines water-repellent fabric with fur for a functional yet fresh look — a project that takes

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TIME 5:00 – 7:00 pm Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

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approximately two weeks, from sketch to completion, and requires about 15 measurements. This is on the shorter spectrum of time for Ambrose’s creations, as embroidered gowns require some three to five weeks to ensure a perfect fit. He mentions a particular evening gown that required upwards of 50 measurements due to its elaborate embroidery.

The machine-washable cocktail dress mentioned earlier also proved laborious, he says.

“One might think that it’s an easy challenge,” he says. “But when you’re dealing with fine-hand beading and couture fabrics, the extreme conditions of washing and drying machines is like a rock to a glass window.”

Apart from his extraordinary skill, his uncompromising client commitment is what sets Ambrose apart from other designers.

“I love women and want them to feel their most beautiful, youthful and confident selves wearing my creations,” he says.

This devotion was instilled by two very important women in his life — his mother and grandmother.

“The women in my life, my mother and grandmother to be specific, inspired my designs by way of example,” he says. “They shopped for quality over quantity and instilled the notion that dressing in proper-fitting, comfortable, well-made garments projected confidence and good taste.”

His pieces embody this by functioning as “vehicles for his clients to feel enchanted in their own worlds,” he says, and carry themselves confidently throughout their day-to-day lives.

By the time the San Francisco-born Ambrose became interested in design at the age of 12, he had already developed a love of nature. He recalls watching his mother tirelessly cultivate her outdoor garden, which boasted beautiful flower beds arranged in picturesque patterns that sharply contrasted with the monochromatic Marin Hills.

So it comes as no surprise that nature served as the inspiration for his latest collection, Order in Chaos.

“Nature is a continual and very important inspiration through its exotic diversity of flora and fauna, vibrant colors and the elements,” he says.

“In any chaotic situation, there is always a natural order to be found.”

To illustrate the concept of chaos, Ambrose uses intarsia, a knitting technique for multicolored patterns. At first glance, the pattern may look fragmented, he says, but with closer inspection, it appears both repetitious and orderly.

He compares this to a snowflake.

“No two snowflake patterns are alike,” he says. “Each one is uniquely different and the number of them is infinite. From a mathematical perspective, an infinite, never-ending question is chaotic, in that it is impossible to measure or calculate. From an artistic point of view, a snowstorm is beautiful and romantic.”

The collection’s standout piece is the “Kaleidoscope” coat, created using nearly 1,000 individual pieces of fabric sewn together using the intarsia process for a modern yet vintage feel.

“Confident, carefree and vibrant,” Ambrose says. “It’s all rooted in living her fantasy in style.”

Norman Ambrose is available at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. For more, visit normanambrose.com.

Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue • Norwalk, Connecticut • steppingstonesmuseum.org

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WONDERFUL DINING

Love’s labor is not lost at Villaggio Italiano

V

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS

BY ALEESIA FORNI

Villaggio Italiano Restaurant in Hartsdale is a true labor of love for its owners, Robyn and Danny Santiago. Though the couple acquired the restaurant in 2015, the Italian eatery at 389 N. Central Ave. has long held a special place in the hearts of the husband-and-wife duo.

The couple first met at the restaurant nearly two decades ago, when Danny worked behind the bar and in the kitchen, while Robyn served as a waitress. In the years that followed, Danny moved up the ranks at Villaggio, while Robyn went on to start her own public relations firm, Illumination PR. When Villaggio’s former owners, who had helmed the eatery for more than 38 years, decided it was time to retire, Danny and Robyn knew they couldn’t let the restaurant fall into the hands of a stranger.

“It was important to us that we continued as

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From top clockwise, a pork chop, mozzarella en carrozza and penne alla vodka.

one family,” Robyn says. “Danny and I knew it was a successful location since we both worked there, and we knew the hard work and dedication that the previous owners had put into Villaggio.”

For Danny, Villaggio is truly a home away from home. He immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico nearly 30 years ago to take up a job as a dishwasher at the restaurant. Three other employees of the eatery also hail from his hometown.

Because of this, it was important to Robyn and Danny to retain the restaurant’s workforce.

“We wanted to ensure that we all stayed together,” Robyn says. “The existing staff is family. “ Similarly, the couple says keeping the eatery’s menu consistent was important.

“The old saying, ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it’ fits perfectly in this scenario,” Robyn says. “The previous owners spent time perfecting the menu and the way the restaurant was run. We thought that if we came in and bought the restaurant and changed everything, we would lose the loyalty of our already loyal customer base.”

But there have been a few changes since the Santiagos took over. The couple hosts a jazz band each week and, paying tribute to Danny’s heritage, a mariachi band comes in for special occasions.

I visit the restaurant on a blustery afternoon and start with a dish that Danny and Robyn tell me is a restaurant staple — a salad pizza, which features a crisp lettuce, chunks of chicken, gorgonzola cheese and a house dressing atop a slice of pepperoni and cheese pie.

Shrimp, clams and mussels mingle with stuffed mushrooms, eggplant and artichoke in a hot antipasto. Though the mushrooms are a standout, the rest of the dish falls flat, failing to provide any new or unexpected additions to a signature Italian dish.

A plate of mozzarella en carrozza — which translates to mozzarella in a carriage — is truly exceptional, and I find myself going back for multiple helpings of the fried cheese and bread sandwich.

The dish is drizzled with a scrumptious Francese sauce that I scrape from the plate.

Penne alla vodka is another of the restaurant’s specialties, I’m told, and for good reason. Noodles are cooked al dente and lightly tossed in a sweet red sauce. A grilled chicken breast is sautéed with rosemary and garlic and served with chopped

Robyn and Danny Santiago.

A PLATE OF MOZZARELLA EN CARROZZA — WHICH TRANSLATES TO MOZZARELLA IN A CARRIAGE — IS TRULY EXCEPTIONAL, AND I FIND MYSELF GOING BACK FOR MULTIPLE HELPINGS OF THE FRIED CHEESE AND BREAD SANDWICH. — Aleesia Forni

spinach, pomodoro sauce and homemade mozzarella. An expertly seared and juicy pork chop is paired with a heaping portion of mushrooms and carrots.

Desserts range from brownie sundaes topped with whipped cream and served in a longstemmed glass to tiramisu and flan.

The success of the longstanding restaurant is one the Santiagos hope to replicate at a second Villaggio location in Dobbs Ferry. The new restaurant, set to open in early this year, “was perfect for us,” Robyn says. “We decided we wanted to try (another location) and what better place than a river town like Dobbs Ferry.”

Various times during our meal, both Robyn and Danny stand to greet new customers, often embracing them in bear hugs and inquiring about children or family members.

“Our customers are truly family to us,” Robyn says. “They come in to Villaggio expecting the meal to taste the same, their favorite items on the menu and the quality and service that Villaggio’s staff have delivered for almost 40 years. Why change a thing?”

For more, visit villagiosrestaurant.com.

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WINE & DINE

Pro Prosecco

BY DOUG PAULDING

P

Prior to the financial meltdown of 2007-08, weekend or dinner guests would often bring a celebratory bottle of Champagne to my house to get things started.

Then the meltdown occurred and, by neediness or nervousness, houseguests switched to bringing Prosecco, which could be purchased for perhaps half the cost of Champagne. I was never a big fan of Prosecco.

The citrusy and floral flavors were there but there was minimal length on the palate and the bubbles poofed like seafoam in my mouth. Its flavor and structure seemed to evaporate quickly. Then I met David Noto and he and his wines gave me a new awareness and appreciation of Prosecco.

Noto’s family, from Italy, has a long history of agriculture, growing oranges, olives and grapes in the south-central Calabrian region. In the early 1900s, the family relocated to Genoa because David’s grandfather wanted his son to be more urban. David’s father became an engineer and moved to the United States.

David also became an engineer in the U.S. and in Italy and took a particular interest in the northeastern Italian town of Valdobbiadene, in the shadow of the Dolomite Mountains in the Italian Alps, the heart of the Prosecco region. Italy, like Spain, has rigorous rules for allowing labels indicating quality. Each wine region of

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Italy offers DOC labels that are guarantees of the region and the grape.

The much more restrictive DOCG labels are found on better bottles produced in the epicenter of the particular region, from better vineyard plots and better producers.

These bottles have been jury-tasted by local experts before the DOCG label is awarded. All DOCG labels have numbers and QR codes, which savvy consumers can use to find a host of information about the wine, the vintage conditions, growing conditions, winemaking decisions and volume of production.

Though he was born in the U.S., David has lived in Italy for extended periods. He wanted to bring a highquality Prosecco to the market. His boutique-style production methDavid Noto oversees all aspects of Altaneve Prosecco and sparking ods begin in the vineyard, where wines. Photograph by Daniele Buso.

by DOCG law and desire, the grape yields are limited so the remaining grapes show a more concentrated flavor. David claims to have the best agronomist in the hills. Both Proseccos are made of 100 percent overseeing the vineyards, the best winemaker of Glera grapes. A few years ago, David visited stores in the region and the best vineyard plots. Glera is the the Hamptons to market his wines. Everyone trying grape used for Prosecco but up to 15 percent of the them was suitably impressed. One store owner told volume can be composed of other varietals grown him, “We sell a ton of sparkling Rosé here. Can you in the region. His wine is called Altaneve, (Alta NEH make a sparkling Rosé for us”? veh), which means “high snow,” the snow- capped So in April of 2014, David invited some colleagues peaks of the Dolomites being visible from the vinewith exceptional palates to lunch at l’escale restauyards. The vines are grown in hilly terrain, which rant bar in Greenwich -- Theresa Rogers of Horsemakes automation impossible. All of Altaneve’s neck Wines & Liquors in Greenwich; David Fletcher, grapes are hand-harvested. director of operations at l’escale; John Freitas, somChampagne, like Prosecco, is both a region and melier at l’escale; and Matthew Habdas, then wine a wine. The main differences are the grapes used director of Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse in Greenand the secondary fermentation method, responsiwich. They all agreed Altaneve Prosecco was top ble for the bubbles. Champagne employs a labor-intier, certainly one of the finest Proseccos they had tensive secondary fermentation in the bottle, which tried. Theresa asked for some additional glasses for needs to be riddled, or adjusted incrementally, over the table where she began blending Altaneve Proweeks in special racks to concentrate the sediment secco with some Pinot Noir. She tried several perin the neck, which then needs to be flash-frozen to mutations and finally said, “Got it. This is it.” It was disgorge the solid plug of dead yeast sediment. Propassed around for group approval and the Altanesecco’s secondary fermentation occurs in a pressurve Rosé was born, made of 70 percent Pinot Noir ized tank and is known as the Martinotti method in or Pinot Nero in Italy, and 30 percent Glera and it Italy and the Charmat method in France. is wonderful. It shows all of the great characterisI spent a day skiing with David recently (the guy tics of a well-crafted Prosecco, with the fresh fruit can ski), talking on our lift rides about Prosecco and flavor and structure of a Pinot Noir. This is an Italian Altaneve. He makes three wines — two Proseccos wine born in Greenwich. Look for Altaneve wines and one sparkling Rosé. The two Proseccos are in their graceful and attractive bottles. They bring wonderful, with citrus, green apple, finesse, strucProsecco to a higher place. ture and finish. The second Prosecco is sourced For more, visit altaneve.com. And write me at from an exceptional one-and-a-half-acre plot high doug@dougpaulding.com.

Proprietor, Bobby Epstein of the legendary Muscoot Tavern in Katonah, invites you to experience his newest restaurant—

Kisco River Eatery Come in and savor the fresh raw bar and our impressive variety of steak, pasta, chicken and seafood selections in our warm and cozy atmosphere.

Gather • Eat • Drink.

Lunch & Dinner 7 days a week Sunday Brunch 11-3 Happy Hour Daily from 3-6 222 East Main Street • Mount Kisco, NY 10549 914 • 218 • 3877 info@Kiscoriver.com www.kiscoriver.com Free Parking Around Back

WHETTING APPETITE

Pork chops with mother love

BY JACQUELINE RUBY PHOTOGRAPH BY SEBASTIAN FLORES

MOM’S SAVORY PORK CHOPS My mom is 100 percent Italian but never had any interest in cooking. When she was growing up, my grandma did all the cooking and no one was allowed in her kitchen.

However, my mom did make some American dishes that were good. Once a week, she would make her famous breaded pork chops. They were tasty and easy to make. She taught me at age 12, and I took over and have been making them ever since. This is a no-fuss easy recipe, so enjoy.

INGREDIENTS: • 4 boneless pork chops • 2 eggs • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs • 1½ cups beef broth • 1 teaspoon veal stock • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley • salt and pepper (as desired) • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon butter • 1 clove garlic

DIRECTIONS: Salt and pepper pork chops.

Beat eggs and drench pork chops in egg batter, draining off excess.

Coat pork chops in breadcrumbs, shaking off excess.

Heat olive oil and butter in frying pan.

Brown chops about 2 minutes on each side.

Add beef broth, veal stock and garlic.

Simmer covered about 20 minutes.

Garnish with chopped parsley.

Serve with rice.

For more, contact the Saucy Realtor at jacquelineruby@hotmail.com. Tableware courtesy Casafina.

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E R OA R I N

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Stop in and experience the charm of this historic eatery, a neighborhood favorite since the Roaring ‘20s! Enjoy our cozy tavern where it’s always lively and cheerful or relax on our patio overlooking our horseshoe and bocce ball courts.

Live music on Saturdays and some Fridays On Sundays, enjoy outdoor live music from 4 to 8:30 Happy Hour Daily from 4-6 and again from 9-11 on Thurs, Fri and Saturday nights.

105 Somerstown Turnpike, Katonah, NY (Corner of Rt. 100 and Rt. 35) www.muscoottavern.com 914 • 232 • 2800

WEAR

In hair and life, love is in the details

BY BRIAN TOOHEY

From left, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon (in drag) and Marilyn Monroe in “Some Like It Hot.”

W When I was told the February issue would be all about love and romance, my wheels started turning.

Before I knew it, it was 3 a.m., “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was playing on the tube and I was transported to another time and another place.

I watched intensely as disenchanted writer Paul Varjak — Is there any other kind? — focused on party girl Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn. Paul (George Peppard) accepted everything about her, even though he was well-aware of her louche lifestyle and free-spirited but trou-

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bled nature. Still, he kept his eye and heart on her at all times as he paid attention to the details and small moments. It was lovely to watch as he helped her light her cigarette — It was the 1960s — or put on her coat while they were leaving a party.

He felt she needed to be cared for, so he was always anticipating her every need.

This prompted me to think of the times in my life when I realized the value of the small moment.

I will always remember the time my girlfriend and I were in an elevator headed to dinner and she unbuttoned the top button of my overcoat to adjust my collar. To this day, it reminds me of how special it feels when someone notices the smallest things about you in a helpful way.

Years later, I would be out to dinner with a girlfriend and got up first to help her with her coat.

The waiter would comment that we must have known each other all of our lives (which was not the case). It was a simple gesture and even a bit old school, but one that was lovely to experience.

I think it is interesting that I can take a quiet pleasure in watching my girlfriend put on her makeup and get ready to go out — and she, in turn, can take pleasure in seeing me clear the table.

That small gesture would always prompt a big smile and kiss from her.

A woman’s perception differs from a man’s. She sees life through a different lens, often focusing on details a man may never notice. Both in and out of the salon, I always listen with attention, because I know I will learn something I may never have

thought of on my own.

Still awake, I watched “Some Like It Hot” as Marilyn Monroe’s Sugar Kane sits on a train, her hair falling loosely across her face, almost covering her eyes. (Just to connect the dots, though Hepburn played Holly in “Tiffany’s,” author Truman Capote wrote the novel with Monroe in mind.) When Tony Curtis appears in “Some Like It Hot,” Marilyn turns towards him and, as if she were lifting a veil to expose herself fully, sweeps the hair from her eyes.

This small moment spoke volumes for Curtis — and the audience. Marilyn’s hair and her gesture certainly reflected her lively yet still lonely personality and were a large part of her sensuality.

When I am creating a hairstyle for a client, the details matter as they help expose the beauty I know is there.

Hair can be sexy and romantic, whether short or long. It’s all about the attitude, point of view and the details that make it stand out.

This is the month for expressing love whether you have a partner or not. I think the words “I love you” are the most powerful in the world. In times of stress, I have found if I repeat the words “I love you” as a mantra over and over for as long as it takes, it can ease the stress and bring peace to a troubled moment. You might like to test it out.

Happy Valentine’s Day. Visit Brian at Warren Tricomi Salon, 1 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. To book an appointment with him, call 212-262-8899.

HANDCRAFTED WITH LOVE INTO A TRUE MASTERPIECE

First-time visitors cannot help but be awed by the rare artistry on display throughout this stunning masterpiece. A 3-year labor of love, the complete re-built yielded a fully custom home that showcases a level of originality and craftsmanship that’s truly remarkable. The one-of-a-kind residence, located in the desirable Beech Hill area of Scarsdale, is just a half mile to the village shops and Metro North station, only a 30 minute ride to NYC. The home filled with amazing hand-carved wood details and quality finishes, both elegant and comfortable. Handcrafted coffered ceilings, cabinetry, handrails and mantels; and floors sheathed in tigerwood and porcelain with marble are among the many unique design elements that create warmth and character throughout.

MLS# 4700330 | Contact Lia Grasso, Douglas Elliman. 914-584-8440, lia.grasso@elliman.com

WELL

A different kind of fight club

BY DANIELLE RENDA PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY RISHI GANDHI

W When I stepped into 914 Krav Maga for the first time, I wasn’t expecting to learn how to defend myself against an unanticipated knife attack. But along with a satisfying hour of exercise, I received a valuable lesson in self-defense.

I admittedly felt apprehensive when I skimmed the class roster of the small studio, located in Hartsdale. With a full schedule of 45-minute to one-hour training sessions in Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Brazilian and Japanese Jiu Jitsu, mixed martial arts (MMA) and wrestling, the workouts suggested a level of stamina, strength and agility that I — a regular at a standard local gym — wasn’t accustomed to. But I was pleased to discover that after taking the one-hour Krav Maga/MMA class on

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Co-owner Greg Melia works one-on-one with a student.

a Wednesday evening, I wasn’t at all intimidated by the trainer, the equipment or even the other, more experienced students.

That’s no doubt because the friendly atmosphere of the family-owned business, which opened in October 2015 and to which WAG introduced readers a year ago, seeps into its workouts. No matter the skill, the staff is dedicated to ensuring that all members do their best, understand the movements, remain safe and have fun throughout.

Though the camaraderie doesn’t end there. According to Marty Fareri, co-owner, the studio has become a hangout of sorts for its members, who frequently chitchat before and after workouts and congregate to watch Sunday football.

“It’s like a family here,” Fareri said.

He and co-owner and cousin Greg Melia focus on the experience that their clients have at 914.

“The priority for me is culture, commitment to your customer and delivering good services,” he said. “It’s not boring. The classes are high intensity — oh, and by the way — you learn self-defense, which is key.”

Fareri, who came out of retirement to open the studio, works 16-hour days, six days a week and enjoys every second of it, he said. He offers oneon-one training sessions for mature adults, ages 50 and up, who have injuries, mobility challenges and strength issues. The sessions, which are one-third of the price of those offered at similar facilities, he said, are his way of giving back to the community.

“It’s about helping these people to live a full

life,” he said.

The particular class that I took was on the intense side. It began with intervals of warm-up exercises — jumping jacks, mountain climbers and sit-ups — followed by combinations, like openhand strikes and leg kicks against a punching bag.

These all came together for the final combination, blocking a knife strike while counteracting with a punch to the face, then securing the weapon behind the attacker’s back and responding with consecutive kicks to the groin, forcing the attacker to step back and, ultimately, surrender.

Luckily, instructor Melia — who has 20 years experience of combined training — broke down each step for us.

In addition to the adult classes, 914 Krav Maga offers Jiu Jitsu for children and teens, ages 5 and up, emphasizing discipline, perseverance and dedication. The studio features a knee wall, which separates the exercise mats from the break area, allowing parents to watch from one side while their children practice on the other. For young adults, the studio also has a fight team — ranging in size from eight to 10 members, four of whom are champions —that competes in the tristate area.

914 Krav Maga has approximately 165 active members. The studio offers a month-to-month flat rate, which allows you to take any class, as often as desired, with the option to freeze the membership at any time.

914 Krav Maga is at 303 Central Park Ave., second floor, in Hartsdale. For more, call 914437-5353 or visit 914kravmaga.com.

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WELL

Va-va-vavoom

BY MARRIA POOYA

L

Ladies, while passion has driven you in areas like family, career and volunteering, you may have given less attention to your personal needs. And although you have maintained your appearance, perhaps even opting for age-defying injectables and fillers or laser treatments to renew your skin, your feminine well-being has been left to fend for itself. However, it’s time to celebrate your femininity this Valentine’s Day with a gift that you will both enjoy. Put the passion back in your love life with the skin-tightening effects of ThermiVa, created specifically for your lady parts.

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Yes, we are talking about vaginal rejuvenation.

Thanks to groundbreaking ThermiVa, a safe, nonsurgical treatment, you can tighten your vagina and external labia and improve sexual pleasure without any downtime or discomfort. ThermiVa works with radio frequency to heat vaginal tissues gently and increase collagen production, something that unfortunately decreases with age, hormonal changes and time. ThermiVa’s heat naturally promotes stronger collagen bands and tighter skin inside and out. Although treatments are typically performed in a series of three, you’ll experience improvement from the first visit.

“I was surprised and excited when I learned about ThermiVa. After having three children, it wasn’t just my tummy that could use a bit of tightening,” one client said. “I’ve had two treatments already and I can definitely tell a difference. I am feeling more confident now, which has literally put spice back in my marriage.”

ThermiVa offers a solution to any woman who has noticed the negative effects of childbirth and menopause, which can lead to issues with interior or exterior looseness as well as pain or discomfort during sex, accompanied by vaginal dryness, none of which is very romantic. With ThermiVa, vaginal tightness is improved and so are blood circulation and vaginal moisture, all leading to heightened pleasure during intimacy.

Treatments take just 30 minutes and consist of a thin diode wand being placed on the areas to be treated, which typically include the vaginal canal.

The warmth of the radio frequency, which most patients say feels quite nice, passes through the wand into the tissue. Because ThermiVa requires no downtime, you can resume normal activity — including sex — the same day. A series of ThermiVa treatments will be spaced about a month apart, and most women notice changes after the first visit. Once the series is complete, you are welcome to continue treatments to achieve additional results.

While ThermiVa stimulates collagen production, the body will continue to age, so maintenance treatments once or twice a year are also recommended.

“I’m a bit embarrassed to say it, but sex had actually become painful,” another client said. “Now after a series of ThermiVa treatments, intimacy is

THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, TURN BACK THE CLOCK ON YOUR LOVE LIFE AND ADD MORE SPICE TO YOUR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP. — Marria Pooya

pleasurable again. I expected that it would tighten things up, but even more important, I’m experiencing more natural lubrication and arousal.

What a relief.”

Whether you have given birth, experience dryness or have difficulty with orgasm, a renewed sense of sexual pleasure is now possible with the benefits of ThermiVa. This Valentine’s Day, turn back the clock on your love life and add more spice to your intimate relationship. If you have noticed slackness in the vaginal area and would like to find an effective tightening treatment that does not require surgery, ThermiVa can provide your answer. In addition to improving vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex and an overall lack of vaginal tightness, ThermiVa even helps with stress incontinence caused by movements like jumping.

Instead of chocolates or cologne, surprise your partner on Feb. 14 with something you both can really celebrate. There is nothing more romantic than renewed passion.

Marria Pooya is the managing partner at The Greenwich Medical Skincare & Laser Spa, where a complimentary consultation offers a private and comfortable opportunity to find out if ThermiVa is a good fit for you. For more, visit greenwichmedicalspa.com.

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WELL

Showing mom some love after the baby comes

E

BY DAYNA M. KURTZ

Ever wonder why we say “she’s having a baby,” as opposed to “she’s becoming a mother?” While there is much attention paid to prenatal care, there is little if any focus on what happens to mom after baby comes. For all the joy and privilege of motherhood, this profound life-transition can also bring anxiety and worry even among mothers with every resource at their disposal. “Child care” and “elder care” are a common part of the vernacular, but what about “mother care”? Ideally, there will come a time in the nottoo-distant future when women will receive the support to which they are entitled as a matter of standard practice. Maternal “well visits” will be as commonplace as pediatric ones (not limited to a one-time, six-week postpartum checkup.) In the meantime, here are five tips a new mom can use to cradle herself with love.

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Dayna M. Kurtz

EAT YOUR WAY TO A SOUND SLEEP Sleep deprivation is a rite of passage in new motherhood, as most people know. What they may not know, however, is that a new mom’s meal choices can make a big difference in how tired she feels. Nutritional consultant Patricia Daly says that one of the best ways to stave off physical and emotional fatigue is to keep blood sugar levels even throughout the day. Complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, beans and whole grains are preferable to white bread and rice, which can lead to a rapid spike and drop in blood sugar level. Drink a tall glass of water, too. Doing so will keep bodily systems running smoothly and reduce the risk of constipation — a common cause of fatigue.

CREATE A STRONG HEART The American Heart Association cites cardiovascular disease (which includes heart disease and stroke) as the number one killer of women around the world. A 2015 study in BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth reported that a group of postnatal women engaged in an exercise program demonstrated improvements in haemodynamic function (the flow of blood) and a reduction in blood pressure, both of which can reduce the risk of heart disease. A little bit can go a long way. A brisk 30-minute walk most days of the week can make a difference.

REACH OUT FOR A HEALING HAND A gift certificate for a prenatal massage may be a common baby shower gift, but this healing art can be equally if not more therapeutic in the postpartum stage by decreasing pain and enabling more rapid recovery from labor and delivery. As opposed to the more traditional deep tissue massage, postpartum techniques are gentler and offer

the added benefit of stimulating tissue regeneration, improving elasticity and helping organs to shift back into place.

FIND YOUR INNER FLIRT Sex is often the last thing on a new mama’s mind, understandably. Between all-night feedings, hormonal shifts and physical healing, the only thing most moms want to do between the sheets is sleep. Which is why the postpartum stage can be an excellent chance to hone foreplay and keep the co-parent relationship strong through an otherwise stressful time. Consider sending a flirty text-message or slipping a sexy note into the diaper bag or briefcase. A little effort to make each other feel special can ease the stress and help a couple remember how and why they fell in love in the first place.

STRESS LESS Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a particular form of meditation that incorporates elements of mindfulness and yoga. A recent study published in Archives of Women’s Mental Health highlights the effectiveness of meditation on a group of mothers of infants. After taking part in the study, moms reported significantly more self-compassion and confidence in their ability to mother as well as lower stress and anxiety levels than they had before the meditation. It is worth noting that each individual meditation session was short — 10 minutes — and that they were all conducted with babies present.

Maria Shriver said, “Having kids — the responsibility of rearing good, kind, ethical, responsible human beings — is the biggest job anyone can embark on.” Make mother care part of the job.

For more, visit daynamkurtz.com.

Mont Engrais. Located on a country dirt road, sited on 84 acres w/wrap-around Western views is this distinctive contemporary. This turn-key home includes floor to ceiling windows overlooking stunning vistas. Gracious LR & cozy Den both w/Fireplaces. First floor Master Suite w/His-Her Baths. Heated pool surrounded by mature plantings. Tennis court w/viewing Gazebo. Separate glass walled Gym w/indoor Lap Pool. 2 BR’s/2 Bath Guest house nestled in the meadows. An additional 3 Car Garage w/a 2 BR caretaker apartment above. Another 3 bay Garage or Equipment Barn. Excellent for horses w/many paddocks already fenced. Situated in the heart of North Salem hunt country. This exceptional treasure is within an hour + commute of Manhattan!! MLS#4647090 Price: $ 5,900,000 Also house available on 371 acres!

Luxury, unbridled.

Bedford, NY. Spectacular 5 BR, 6.1 bath 10,000 sq. ft. clapboard colonial overlooking the Mianus Gorge conservation land. The ideal house for entertaining or enjoying an incredible lifestyle. Large rooms w/coiffured & vaulted ceilings, 13 inch moldings. Gourmet kitchen with eat in breakfast room. Beautiful BR’s w/ensuite baths.

Extraordinary lower level w/professional bar, 12 seat theatre, exercise room, sauna, and recreational space.

Balconies, decks, & patios overlook the magnificent backyard with infinity pool, 2 fire pits, built in barbecue, raised vegetable garden & open space. Premier house!

MLS#4639945 Price: $2,249,000

Bedford, NY. Great house in great location! Wonderful opportunity for buyers/builders to own this bright sun-filled ranch nestled at the end of a private lane w/a large front and backyard sitting on 2.673 gorgeous acres w/stonewalls. Family Neighborhood. Great expansion potential. Property is close to (BRLA). Easy access to Bedford Village, Pound Ridge & New Canaan. Basement boasts additional 1,200 square feet w/a large cedar closet, generous size full bath & access to a stone walkway. MLS#4642957 Price: $578,888

Brook Farm, Ridgefield, CT. This stately colonial home originally owned by playwright Eugene O’Neill, inspired the play “Desire under the Elms”. Thoughtfully renovated, this 7 BR, 3.4 bath home includes 9 ft ceilings, 7 fplcs, maple floors, a grand entry w/double staircase, French doors, & large windows overlooking the bucolic setting. A recent addition includes a mudrm, lndry rm, bonus rm & a 2 car attached garage. Sited on 16 acres of rolling lawns, meadows, and a sparkling pond Close proximity to the North Salem Bridle trails is an equestrian enthusiast’s dream. The barn has 2 stalls, a 4 bay garage & a 1,348 sq. office. Completing the outdoor amenities include a salt water pool, flagstone terrace, & a covered side porch. Subdivision possibilities! MLS# 4642150.

Price: $4,200,000

Threshing Rock, Pound Ridge, NY. This private Colonial is set on over 8 acres adjacent to the Pound Ridge Conservancy. The meticulously maintained home offers 5,861 sq. ft of living w/an additional 1,700 sq. ft. of finished walk out basement space. Featured is a bright center entrance, formal LR, formal DR, music/office & a gourmet eat in kitchen w/butler’s pantry. The luxurious master suite includes a fireplace, his & hers walk in closets & a beautiful master bathroom. There are an additional 5 BD’s w/ 4 full baths & 1& 1/2 bath. The outdoor living space boasts a gunite pool & spa w/a truly breathtaking landscape creating a private& serene setting to raise a family, entertain and to enjoy for years to come in prestigious Pound Ridge. Price: $1,595,000

ON THE GREEN BEDFORD, NEW YORK 914-234-3642 VINWHIT.COM

WELL

Love yourself to love others

BY GIOVANNI ROSELLI

W “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within in.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Amour. Amore. El amore. Whether you say it in French, Italian or Spanish, the word “love” is part of every language but differently. I once heard that the English language is the only language that uses “love” to describe a relationship with objects. “I love my car.” “I loved that movie.”

“I really love that restaurant.”

In today’s society, especially with the use of social media, the word “love” is thrown around more than ever.

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Giovanni Roselli on set of Showtime’s “HAPPYish” with star Steve Coogan. Photograph courtesy Giovanni Roselli.

By February, our New Year’s resolutions may have already slipped. Commit to using the word “love” only to describe the relationships with your family, friends and even your pets. To be even more specific, let’s use that word “love “to strengthen the most important relationship in your life — the love for yourself and your body.

When you look into the mirror, do you love what you see? Do you say positive words to describe your self-image? We can all too often fall into the trap of looking at a magazine or watching television and wishing that we looked like that actor, or performed like that athlete. Why are we looking to others?

The goal of a fitness routine is not only to help our physical being but to bolster our emotional state. When we exercise, it releases happy chemicals in the brain. Many hormones are released that can ease anxiety, help with de-stressing and provide energy and vitality, as well as combat depression and insomnia.

Last year, I guest-starred on the television program “HAPPYish,” which aired on Showtime. The main character Thomas Payne, played

by Steve Coogan, constantly battles the media culture, current corporate climate, parenthood and middle age all in an attempt to figure out what his purpose in life is.

We all face many obstacles in today’s society, just like Thomas Payne. Our job is not only to get to the point of being “happy-ish” but to realize that to become any more than that comes from within.

For those who pay attention to airline announcements before a flight takes off (and we all should), they always instruct you in case of an emergency to place your oxygen mask on before assisting others. There is a lot of meaning here.

You need to be in a good place with yourself first.

Next time you are about to say, “I love that…” consider the context. Think about using it on yourself and others rather than an object or material things. Love yourself and love your body.

As William Shakespeare reminds us, “To thine own self be true.” And once we are true to ourselves, then and only then can we truly love another.

Reach Giovanni on twitter @GiovanniRoselli and his website, GiovanniRoselli.com.

FEB 1 JOANNA GLEASON

“TRULY ENCHANTING.” —New York Times

The Acclaimed Fiasco Theater Production

FEB 5 VADIM GLUZMAN

FEB 11 NICOLA BENEDETTI

FEB 12 KRONOS QUARTET

FEBRUARY 2 & 3, 8pm FULL FEBRUARY SCHEDULE 1 Joanna Gleason 2&3 Into the Woods Fiasco Theatre production 5 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Vadim Gluzman, violin 11 Venice Baroque Orchestra Nicola Benedetti, violin 12 Kronos Quartet 18 Spectrum Dance Theatre 19 National Theatre Live Amadeus 25 Jazz at The Center Ann Hampton Callaway 26 Matt Haimovitz, cello

FEB 18 SPECTRUM DANCE THEATRE

FEB 25 JAZZ: ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY

FEB 26 MATT HAIMOVITZ

THAN NK YOU

THE HANNAH & WALTER SHMERLER ENDOWED FUND

For complete event details and tickets call the Box Office at 914-251-6200 or visit

WWW.ARTSCENTER.ORG

PET OF THE MONTH

A bundle of l-o-v-e

Lisa, a 4-year-old Shar-Pei/Terrier mix is 35 pounds of love. And lucky in love at that.

She was recued by an SPCA supporter, who whisked her from a Miami-Dade shelter on a private plane to WAG country. Now she’s a tail-wagging extrovert, albeit one who has had to be leash-walked as she finishes her heartworm treatment which is compliments of the SPCA’s Simpson Clinic.

Lisa does well with other dogs. Indeed, she’s such a bundle of love that she’d be a great addition to any family.

To meet Lisa, visit the SPCA of Westchester at 590 N. State Road in Briarcliff Manor.

Founded in 1883, the SPCA is a no-kill shelter and is not affiliated with the ASPCA. The SPCA is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. To learn more, call 914- 941-2896 or visit spca914.org.

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Puppy love

When Aleesia met Champ, it was wuv at first sight. Here’s what Aleesia Forni, WAG’s Wonderful Dining columnist, has to say about her captivating pup: “From the moment I laid eyes on Champ, my 1-yearold Pit Bull Terrier, at the SPCA Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, I knew she was the pup for me. Her eyes — one brown, one blue — might catch your attention, but her demeanor will melt your heart. This charming softy loves nothing more than long walks followed by latenight cuddles.”

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Inside every cat lives the spirit of the wild.

And a love for meat.

BLUE Wilderness is made with more of the chicken, duck or salmon cats love.

©2017 Blue Buffalo Co., Ltd.

All cats are descendants of the lynx, which means they share many similar traits – including a love for meat. That’s why we created BLUE Wilderness.® Made with the finest natural ingredients, BLUE Wilderness is formulated with a higher concentration of the chicken, duck or salmon cats love. And BLUE Wilderness has none of the grains that contain gluten.

If you want your cat to enjoy a meat-rich diet like her ancestors once did, there’s nothing better than BLUE Wilderness.

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Love them like family. Feed them like family.®

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You love him like family, so feed him like family with BLUE.

Like all pet parents who think of their dogs as family, you want to feed him with the same care as family.

That’s why all BLUE dog foods are made with the high-quality, natural ingredients he deserves.

All BLUE dog foods:

✓ ALWAYS feature real meat ✓ ALWAYS include veggies and fruit ✓ ALWAYS include antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits® ✓ DON’T have chicken (or poultry) by-product meals ✓ DON’T have artificial preservatives, colors or flavors ✓ DON’T have corn, wheat or soy

And your dog can enjoy all of this naturally healthy goodness for only pennies a day more.

Compare your dog’s food to BLUE™ at

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Love them like family. Feed them like family.®

WHEN & WHERE

Through March 18 Bullseye Glass Resource Center presents “In Residence: New York,” an exhibition that showcases work by recent artists-in-residence Nisha Bansil, Nancy Bowen and Mitchell Visoky. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, Bullseye Glass Resource Center, 115 Hoyt Ave., Mamaroneck; 914-8353794, bullseyeglass.com

Through April 7 The Fairfield University Art Museum presents “Adolf Dehn: Midcentury Manhattan” in the museum’s Bellarmine Hall Galleries on the campus of Fairfield University. 203-254-4046, fairfield.edu/museum/

Feb. 2

“IN RESIDENCE: NEW YORK”

THROUGH MARCH 18 | BULLSEYE GLASS RESOURCE CENTER

Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter David

Feb. 2 through 18

collaborations that break barriers among disciplines,

Bromberg leads The David Bromberg Quintet. 8

A “deaf, dumb and blind boy’s” journey from pain to

performs “Pilobolus in Shadowland.” It is a collabo-

p.m., The Warehouse at the Fairfield Theatre Com-

triumph is a sensory-defying rock ’n’ roll experience.

ration among Pilobolus, Steven Banks (lead writer for

pany, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield; 203-259-1036, fair-

“The Who’s Tommy,” based on the band’s 1969 dou-

the animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants”) and

fieldtheatre.org

ble album rock opera, is live on stage evenings at 8

American musician, producer and film composer Da-

p.m., Curtain Call’s Kweskin Theatre, 1349 Newfield

vid Poe. 8 p.m., Fairfield University’s Quick Center for

Ave., Stamford; 203-461-6358, CurtainCallinc.com

the Arts 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield; 203-254-4010, QuickCenter.Fairfield.edu

♥

Feb. 3

Chinese New Year returns to Pelham Art Center with

“First Fridays: A Contemporary Cocktail Party of

family-friendly activities celebrating the beginning of

2017.” Enjoy the debut of the Hudson Valley’s versa-

the Year of the Rooster. From 2 to 4 p.m. there will

tile Shovel Ready String Band, performing original

be a paper-craft workshop in which participants can

songs, along with up-tempo fiddle tunes, country,

create a Chinese rooster and a New Year fish. At 3:15

bluegrass and traditional ballads. Cocktails and light

p.m., members of Kwan’s Kung Fu from Peekskill will

fare will be served. 7 p.m., Aldrich Museum, 258 Main

perform a traditional Lion Dance, believed to scare

St., Ridgefield; 203-438-4519, aldrichart.org

away evil spirits and bring good luck. 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham; 914-738-2525, pelhamartcenter.org

KAREN GOMYO, PERFORMS WITH THE STAMFORD SYMPHONY

FEB. 11 & 12 | THE PALACE THEATER

The Westchester Jewish Council will celebrate its

“Between I and Thou,” an exhibition that explores the

“All-Star Game 41st Anniversary Gala.” The celebra-

connections among the personal, cultural, religious and

tion will honor Westchester Jewish Council President

national. The works reflect the human need to tell the

Paul Warhit of New Rochelle and Vice President Jeff

story of self and society, offering a rich conversation

Kohn of Chappaqua for their dedication and service

about the similarities and differences among us. 11 a.m.

to the Westchester Jewish community. The evening

to 5 p.m. Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sun-

will feature cocktails, dinner and dessert by Fore-

days, Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment, Hud-

most Caterers with entertainment by mind reader

son Valley Center for Contemporary Art, 1701 Main St.,

Eric Dittelman of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Ko-

Peekskill; 914-788-0100, hvcca.org

sher dietary laws will be observed. 7:15p.m., Cong-

♥ Pilobolus, renowned for its creative contortions and

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♥

Feb. 4

regation Kol Ami, 252 Soundview Ave., White Plains; 914-328-7001, wjcouncil.org

VALENTINE’S DAY GALA

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE for movies and the performing arts

Non-profit 501 (c) (3)

Dance the night away with a night of hits by the Grammy Award Winning Commodores!

Raffle Prizes · Champagne and Dessert · Live Auction Items

Gala at 6pm · Live Auction at 8pm followed by concert

february 8

Grammy Nominated Cuban Sensations

Tiempo Libre

march

18 Leslie West of Mountain Special Guest Eli Cook

11 David Johansen from The NY Dolls as Buster Poindexter Special Guest Marshall Crenshaw

17 The Machine Performs Pink Floyd 18 An Evening with Rita Moreno 22 Steve Hackett

Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett 2017 US Tour

23 Howie Mandel

Special Guest John Mendoza

19 Hotel California “A Salute to The Eagles” 25 Jesus Christ Superstar – The Rock Opera 26 Raul Midón 30 The Zombies

Odessey & Oracle 50th Anniversary Tour

31 The McCartney Years

The #1 Paul McCartney Tribute Experience!

april

2 Lea Salonga

From Miss Saigon, Les Misèrables

25 Dancin’ Broadway

Dancers & vocalists re-create iconic dance moments from West Side Story & more!

28 Celebrate Mardi Gras with Soul Brass Band & Funky Dawgz Brass Band

march

6 Direct from New Orleans!

Jon Cleary 7 David Sedaris

NPR Humorist & Author

8 Ethan Bortnick

14 year old phenom as seen on PBS!

1 Los Lobos

9 Gary Gulman 13 Ricky Nelson Remembered

2 Marc Maron

The Too Real Tour

3 Shanghai Acrobats: The New Shanghai Circus 4 Jay and the Americans 5 The Musical Box Performs Genesis “Selling England By The Pound”

10 Rob Schneider 12 Steven Seagal Blues Band

Starring Matthew & Gunnar Nelson

21 Del & Dawg featuring Del McCoury & David Grisman 22 Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers 25 Seven time Grammy Award Winner Buddy Guy 28 Kathleen Madigan Bothering Jesus Tour

203.438.5795 • RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG

Feb. 5 through July 30

musicians for The Symphony of Westchester’s an-

The Neuberger Museum of Art presents the 2017 Roy

nual "Family Concert." In addition to Hindell’s per-

R. Neuberger Exhibition Prize to Argentinian artist

formance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Bassoon Concerto in

Leandro Erlich. The museum will showcase Erlich’s

E minor,” the concert will include the winner of the

Feb. 19

installation, “Port of Reflections,” which depicts a

symphony’s annual Young Artist Competition. 3 p.m.,

The Sanctuary Series features 20-year-old pianist

serene nighttime harbor with five colorfully painted

Iona College’s Christopher J. Murphy Auditorium, 715

Alice Burla in “Time Traveler.” The performance pres-

rowboats that appear to float. Noon to 5 p.m. Tues-

North Ave., New Rochelle; 914-654-4926, thesym-

ents a journey from the Baroque to Impressionist pe-

days through Sundays, noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays,

phonyofwestchester.org

riods and will include works from Bach through Cho-

Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road; 914-251-

pin. 4 to 6 p.m., South Salem Presbyterian Church, 11

6100, neuberger.org

Feb. 14

Feb. 10 through 19

Road; 203-869-5272, audubon.greenwich.org

Spring St.; 914-763-5402, thesanctuaryseries.org

The Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville will screen the Howard Hawks classic “Only Angels

Feb. 21

Axial Theatre presents “Twisted Valentines,” eight

Have Wings.” Jean Arthur is a traveling nightclub

Wilson Cauley, astronomy researcher at Wesleyan

one-act plays that offer an offbeat and unsentimental

pianist who gets more than she bargained for

University, will speak on “Planet Or Star? Under-

take on love. 8 p.m., Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays

when she meets a handsome, daring pilot (Cary

standing Spectroscopic Signatures Of Transiting

and 4 p.m. Sundays, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 8

Grant) during a stopover in a South American port

Exoplanets.” 8 p.m., the Westport Astronomical So-

Sunnyside Ave., Pleasantville; 914-286-7680, axial-

town. 7:15 p.m., 364 Manville Road; 914-747-5555,

ciety, 182 Bayberry Lane; 203-227-0925, was-ct.org

theatre.org

burnsfilmcenter.org

♥

Feb. 11

“Clutching Your Pearls” Luncheon – Do you love a

Feb. 23 through March 17

good romance novel? Grab your girlfriends and get

ArtsWestchester and African American Men of West-

“Brian Conway and

ready to clutch those pearls as the New Rochelle

chester showcase “The Photographer’s Journey: A

Friends’ Irish House Party,” a celebration of tradition-

Public Library Foundation presents a festive Val-

Tribute to Larry Salley,” honoring the memory of

al Irish arts and culture with musical performances by

entine’s Day luncheon featuring conversation with

former Westchester County transportation chief and

fiddler Brian Conway and special guests Mary Courtney

award-winning romance novelists K.M. Jackson,

civic leader Lawrence (Larry) Salley. Noon to 5 p.m.

and Brendan Dolan. Guests are also invited to partic-

Sally MacKenzie and Maya Rodale, moderated by YA

Tuesdays through Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays,

ipate in traditional Irish dance. 7 to 9 p.m., 31 Mama-

author Kristi Cook. Noon to 3 p.m., Alvin & Friends re-

31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains; 914-428-4222,

roneck Ave, White Plains; 914-428-4220, artsw.org

staurant, 14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle; 914-

artsw.org

ArtsWestchester

presents

♥

654-6549, nplfoundation.org

“Heart of the Matter,” a showcase of works in photography, painting, printmaking, fiber, sculpture and more,

Feb. 24

depicts the artists’ personal interpretations of the heart.

Feb. 15 and 16

Harrison Public Library will present a talk by author

Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Mama-

"Play With Your Food" is a lunchtime theater series

Paul Hicks about the life and times of Amelia Ear-

roneck Artists Guild, 126 Larchmont Ave., Larchmont;

presented monthly throughout Fairfield County. In

hart, who lived in Harrison and Rye in the 1930s. The

914-834-1117, mamaroneckartistsguild.org

February, the group performs three one-act play

event is in honor of the 80th anniversary of Earhart’s

♥

readings by both award-winning and emerging play-

last flight. 2 p.m., Harrison Public Library, 2 Bruce

The martini-swigging, tuxedo clad, rock ’n’ roll origi-

wrights followed by a talk back with the cast and di-

Ave.; 914-835-0324, harrisonpl.org

nal is back at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Buster Poin-

rector. Tickets include a gourmet lunch. Noon to 1:30

dexter (né David Johansen) first attracted attention

p.m., Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Ave.;

as a glam rock pioneer with the New York Dolls and

203-862-6753, jibproductions.org

then became an early MTV idol. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge Road; 203-438-5795, RidgefieldPlayhouse.org

Feb. 11 and 12

Feb. 25 New Rochelle Public Library celebrates Black History

Feb. 16

Month with the 21st annual Bokandeye African Dance and Drum performance, featuring the traditional move-

"Rockin’ Road to Dublin" is a new Irish dance phe-

ments and rhythms of African village life. 2 p.m., Ossie

nomenon that pairs traditional Irish dancing with tra-

Davis Theater at New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library

ditional Gaelic music and the irresistibly edgy sounds

Plaza; 914-632-7878, nrpl.org

Violinist Karen Gomyo performs with the Stamford

of rock ’n’ roll. 7:30 p.m., The Palace Theater, 61 Atlan-

Symphony in “Vienna: City of Dreams,” featuring

tic St., Stamford; 203-325-4466, palacestamford.org

works by Beethoven, Schubert and Hummel. 8 p.m., Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, The Palace Theater, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; StamfordSymphony.org

Feb. 17 through 19 Bird and nature fans are invited to join tens of thou-

Feb. 12

sands of everyday bird watchers for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count at the Audubon Greenwich.

Leonard Hindell, former bassoonist with the New

This is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornitholo-

York Philharmonic, will join young artists and student

gy and the National Audubon Society. 613 Riversville

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FEBRUARY 2017

Presented by ArtsWestchester and the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.

For more, visit artswestchester.org and culturalalliancefc.org.

WATCH

HOW THEY’VE GROWN

White Plains Hospital recently celebrated the biannual reunion for its Charles A. Mastronardi Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

More than 600 young graduates of the NICU and their families joined the clinical staff for a superhero-themed celebration of life, which included brunch, entertainment, crafts, face painting and other children’s activities. The main attraction was Dr. Jesus Jaile-Marti, chief of the Division of Neonatology at WPH, who oversees the care of the more than 600 premature and otherwise vulnerable infants treated in the NICU each year.

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Photographs by John Vecchiolla.

1. Nurses on staff in the Charles A. Mastronardi NICU joined Dr. Jaile Marti, Dr. Kevin Fletcher and Leigh Anne McMahon, RN for the celebration.

2. Dr. Jesus Jaile Marti checks in with a former patient.

3. Spiderman and Supergirl entertained the happy crowd.

4 & 5. Cara and Matt Royal and their twin boys.

6. David Buchwald with his wife Lara and baby daughter.

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ROCKING IT

Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF), the 46-year-old, Mamaroneck-based nonprofit, recently hosted its “Rock the Cure” Gala at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase. The evening drew more than 250 attendees and featured rock music by Unforgettable Fire, a U2 cover band. The gala raised more than $225,000 to support research, state-of-the-art equipment/ instruments and patient/parent care for doctors at the hospitals PCF supports. This year’s event was in memory of Paul Ulysses Jimenez, a 10-year-old Westchester County boy who passed away last January from a rare form of cancer of the skeletal muscles.

7. Members of the U2 cover band Unforgettable Fire 8. Bonnie Shyer, Paul J. and Joanna Jimenez and Cheryl Rosen 9. Bonnie Shyer and Rob Astorino

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MAKING A POINT Business and professional leaders from around Westchester County came together to celebrate Hanukkah and learn about the work of the UJA-Federation of New York during the Westchester Business and Professional Division’s Hanukkah reception at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in Harrison. As part of its ongoing relationship with the POINT (Pursuing Our Independence Together) community, the Division invited POINT members to celebrate the holiday and to join them in providing gifts for kids in need. The POINT Pro-

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Two-time Oscar nominee Viola Davis, star of ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder,” recently celebrated the birthday of her husband, actor Julius Tennon, at Alvin & Friends restaurant in New Rochelle. Their daughter and friends joined in the fun as well. Davis is a Golden Globe Award winner and potential Oscar nominee for her role in the film “Fences,” opposite Denzel Washington.

4. Julius Tennon and Viola Davis

1. David Perlmutter, Richard Leroy and Bonnie Hagen 2. Nora Katz, Melissa Miller and Valerie Rosen 3. Jason Breslin

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BIRTHDAY BASH WITH A STAR

Photograph by Sean Drakes.

gram, an initiative of Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) and the Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA), serves young adults with developmental and learning disabilities who live independently in the downtown White Plains area.

TURNING THE BIG 150

Culminating their milestone 150th anniversary, Wartburg held "A Celebration of Praise and Thanksgiving” in the historic chapel on the 34-acre campus of its adult care community in Mount Vernon. More than 165 attendees – included directors, ecumenical leaders, community members, Wartburg residents, patients, caregivers, alumni and staff – honored the men and women who have shared their talents and dedicated their lives to caring for those in need since 1866.

5. Rev. Dr. Robert A. Rimbo, David J. Gentner and Dr. Darren M. Morton

CARING FOR OUR

COMMUNITY

WATCH

MARKETING YOUR BIZ

Some 100 entrepreneurial women — and a few good men — braved a cold night to learn more about marketing strategy from a Media Panel presented by Professional Women of Westchester at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Tarrytown. Amy Partridge, managing editor of Westchester magazine and executive editor of 914INC.; Faith Ann Butcher, production manager and editor-at-large at Halston Media Group; and Anne Jordan Duffy — associate publisher of Westfair Communications Inc., WAG’s parent company — offered practical advice on how to ensure that if your tree falls in a forest, everyone knows that it made a sound. Lisa Kaslyn was once again the fluid moderator.

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Photographs by Mike Dardano.

1. Amy Partridge, Rose Colonna, Faith Ann Butcher, Jamie Imperati, Anne Jordan Duffy and Lisa Kaslyn 2. Sue Adams and Diane Schwartz 3. Albert Annunziata, Judy Reardon, Maggie Collins and Paul Viggiano 4. Tricia Fraser and Georgette Gouveia 5. Robin Colner 6. Jennifer Colonna 7. Randy Bonnett and Laura Ramsey 8. Alesia Decker and Susan Montesinos 9. Meg Kaicher and Kara Mac

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Find your physician at White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness Now in Armonk at 99 Business Park Drive To make an appointment call 914.849.7900 116

WAGMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2017

Eager Beaver Tree Service INTELLIGENT TREE CARE ARTISTIC DESIGN DETAIL ORIENTED LONG TERM PLANNING-IMMEDIATE RESULTS SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

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203-966-6767

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WATCH

AN EDUCATIONAL VISION

Recently, Latino U College Access held its annual benefit “Visiones” at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains to support and celebrate Latino youth who will be the first in their families to go to college. Proceeds from the evening go to helping them reach their academic and life potential

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1. Gina Capelli and Maria Trusa 2. Donna Seife, Sharon Douglas, Anita Birkenstein and Susan Bloom 3. Katy Coppinger, Carolina Urena, Aramina Ferrer, Laura Martinez and Mike Simos

CELEBRATING COMPASSION

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4. William F. Flooks, Jr., James P. O’Toole, Kevin Hanlon, Joe Ippolito, George Whitehead, Michael Ciaramella, Charles Trainor, and Max Gaujean 5. Tania and Helga Vernon and Brian Sciurba

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Hospice of Westchester hosted its annual “Tree of Life” reception at the Hilton Westchester in Rye Brook. During the event, guests and sponsors placed personalized gold stars, purchased in honor or memory of a loved one, on the tree, displayed at the hotel through the holiday season. The evening featured entertainment by Manhattanville College’s pop vocal group, The Quintessentials. All proceeds from the event benefitted HOW’s mission to provide comfort, care and compassion to individuals and families facing a serious or terminal illness.

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KLAFFS CELEBRATES THE SEASON

For the first time, Klaffs invited six of the area’s most talented designers to create spectacular holiday displays, showcasing their creativity for the season. In gratitude for the beautiful displays, Klaffs hosted a special cocktail party in the Norwalk store. More than 60 designers, architects, contractors and other prominent guests enjoyed sweet and savory hors d’oeuvres, catered by chef Clyde Ripka.

Guests left the party with a Klaffs tote bag.

6.Allison Passero, Victoria Vandamm, Mirella Harrion, Joe Passero, Pamela Stanely Dix, Kerry Sheridan, Christopher Cintron and Caroline Kopp

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wphospital.org/armonk

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FEBRUARY 2017

DRINK WITH YOUR HEART. WINE LOVERS SPECIAL —

A combination of two (2) of our favorite wines at $34.98

BOHIGAS CAVA RESERVA NV, SPAIN

TENUTA MONTETI CABURNIO 2011, ITALY

TASTING NOTES: Refreshing, clean with elegant citrus tones. A great sparkling wine to help celebrate!

• • • • •

International Wines, Spirits and Beers Free Wine Tastings on Friday and Saturday Daily Sales and Specials Corporate and Client Gifting Programs Event Planning Services

TASTING NOTES: Beautiful Super Tuscan packed with flavor and freshness.

• • • • •

Classes, Seminars and Tutorials Private In-Home Tastings and Classes Free Delivery Service (inquire) Wine Cellar and Collecting Consultation We Buy Your Older Wines and Spirits

203-869-2299 125 West Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830 (Next to Stop & Shop) New location added: 21 Glenville St., Greenwich, CT 06831 ValsPutnamWines.com | ValsPutnamWines@hotmail.com FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1957

WIT

DOES ‘LOVE CONQUER ALL’?*

Verena Arnabal

José L. Colchado

Rose Colonna

L. William Fishman

Nadera Jagernauth

Meg McAuley Kaicher

Nina Khaghan

Nick Leshi

Kevin Messmer

Juliana Wynohradnyk

“Ultimately, yes. Life can get pretty complicated. It’s easy to get distracted and pulled in many directions. But then you have an epiphany and realize what’s important.”

— Verena Arnabal,

consultant with Rodan + Fields, Larchmont resident

“Yes. If you have love for someone or something, it moves you to help others or achieve something.”

— José L. Colchado,

owner of Colchado Landscaping, Bridgeport resident

“No. People always used to say, ‘Is it better to love or be loved?’ It’s better to be loved. But once love is gone, it’s over.”

— Rose Colonna,

owner of a gift basket company, Armonk resident

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FEBRUARY 2017

“No, but it makes everything better.”

— L. William Fishman, tax attorney, Rye resident

“Love cannot conquer everything, because love isn’t perfect.”

— Nadera Jagernauth,

administrative assistant, accounts payable specialist, Bronx resident

“Yes. It can make us empathetic and understand others regardless of our differences. Feeling loved brings down barriers.” ­— Meg McAuley Kaicher,

president and founder, Capital Consulting Group, Greenwich resident

“I believe that true love conquers all. If your love is strong enough, you will be able to survive anything.”

“Without disparaging love, excellent health – both physical and mental, along with resilience – conquers all.”

— Nina Khaghan,

— Kevin Messmer,

“Love does conquer all. It can conquer fear. I met my wife at a writers’ workshop. She was the only one to offer constructive criticism.

I fell in love with her, because she told me the truth. And I learned how to take criticism.”

“Yes, but you’re asking someone who just got engaged. Love conquers all in your professional life and in your personal life.”

payroll and human resources, Armonk resident

— Nick Leshi,

director of public relations, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx resident

nurse, Bronxville resident

— Juliana Wynohradnyk,

director of institutional advancement, St. Christopher’s Inc., Stony Point resident