Take Center Stage at the Children’s Business Fair
LOCAL SERVICES
ROOTED IN COMPASSION AND COMMUNITY CARE: PAWPAW TREE VET OPENS IN BRANCHVILLE
EDUCATION
TRIBECA COMMUNITY SCHOOL BRINGS REGGIO-INSPIRED, CHILD-LED LEARNING TO RIDGEFIELD
FITNESS
BEYOND THE BELT: BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND COMMUNITY AT SDSS MARTIAL ARTS
A life of wonder begins here.
Founded in New York City in 2006, Tribeca Community School has nurtured generations of young children following an approach rooted in curiosity, creativity, and empathy. In Fall 2026, we will bring that same spirit to Ridgefield, building a community inspired by the belief that children are capable, curious, and full of big ideas.
· For ages 6 weeks – 6 years
· Full-day
· Year-round
· Flexible schedule options
Explore TCS Ridgefield www.tcsridgefield.com
Happy Summer! Legendary Seymour Farm is a rare offering where historic pedigree and modern luxury converge in one of Ridgefield’s most extraordinary settings. Beautifully restored and expanded, the iconic circa-1847 residence showcases timeless architecture, refined interiors, exceptional craftsmanship, and remarkable architectural details.
A wonderful chef’s kitchen anchors elegant living spaces, including the spectacular octagonal dining room, spacious family room, recreation room, and a luxurious primary suite. Featured on the Ridgefield Garden Tour, the breathtaking gardens, resort-style pool, and outdoor living spaces create an exceptional retreat. Just minutes to vibrant downtown Ridgefield, Seymour Farm represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
At Karla Murtaugh Homes, we are privileged to represent this extraordinary market and remain steadfast in delivering tailored guidance and exceptional results. Whether you are considering a purchase or preparing to sell, trust our award-winning team to provide a refined, seamless experience in 2026.
Consistently Ranked #1 in Ridgefield
Every year, our Kids & Pets issue reminds me of some of life’s greatest blessings—the children and animals who bring so much joy, laughter, and unconditional love into our lives.
Children have a remarkable way of reminding us what truly matters. Their curiosity encourages us to see the world through fresh eyes. Their energy keeps us moving forward. Their optimism reminds us that even in challenging times, there is always something to look forward to. While we spend so much of our time teaching, guiding, and supporting them, they often end up teaching us just as much in return.
As parents, grandparents, relatives, mentors, and friends, we all play a role in helping children grow into confident, compassionate adults. The time we invest in them today helps shape not only their future, but the future of our communities as well. Every encouraging word, every lesson, and every moment spent together leaves a lasting impact.
Of course, no discussion about family would be complete without acknowledging the special place pets hold in our hearts. For many of us, they are far more than companions—they are members of the family. They greet us at the door after a long day, sit beside us during life’s ups and downs, and provide a kind of unconditional love that asks for nothing in return.
What has always struck me is how much pets enrich our lives. They have a way of bringing people together, creating routines, encouraging us to slow down, and reminding us to appreciate the simple moments. Whether it’s a morning walk, a wagging tail at the end of the day, or simply the comfort of their presence, pets have an incredible ability to make our lives better.
There is also something truly special about the bond between children and animals. Whether it’s a child reading to a dog, playing fetch in the backyard, or simply sharing quiet moments together, those relationships often create memories that last a lifetime. Pets teach children empathy, kindness, loyalty, and responsibility in ways that are both simple and profound.
At the heart of it all is a fundamental truth: both children and pets depend on us. They rely on our love, guidance, patience, and care. Yet in return, they give us so much more than we could ever provide them. They fill our homes with laughter, comfort, companionship, and countless moments that become treasured memories.
This month’s issue is dedicated to the kids who inspire us, the pets who love us unconditionally, and the families who make our communities such wonderful places to call home.
Cheers!
BRUCE BERNSTEIN, PUBLISHER @RIDGEFIELDLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Bruce Bernstein | bruce.bernstein@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Katie Parry | katie.parry@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Katie Bode | katie.bode@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Natasha Fleming Photography
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL
Sommlike is a curated wine shop and event space now open in the heart of Ridgefield. We offer a thoughtfully selected collection of wines, spirits, and specialty beverages, paired with expert recommendations and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re searching for the perfect bottle, hosting a private celebration, planning a corporate gathering, or attending a tasting event, Sommlike brings people together through exceptional beverages, meaningful experiences, and a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, community, and discovery. 407 Main Street, sommlike.com, @Sommlike.
Photography by Paola Kaoud
Rock Bottom Rescue was founded in May 2025 by Scotts Ridge Middle School student Claire Aharon after she befriended a stray dog while vacationing in Puerto Rico. The dog, later named Milo, was suffering from multiple health issues. Determined to help, Claire worked with her parents to secure medical care, transport, and adoption. Inspired by Milo’s transformation, she launched Rock Bottom Rescue, now a 501(c)(3) charity that has helped more than 40 dogs and cats find homes. Visit rockbottomrescue.org to learn more.
Botanicals by Jessica is the top-rated florist in Ridgefield, and a woman-owned business, often described as Ridgefield’s own miniature Terrain. This unique floral haven offers modern floral design, lush plants, intentional gift-giving, and creative floral and plant design workshops. From custom flower arrangements and local delivery to weddings and events, Botanicals by Jessica creates meaningful experiences for every occasion. Now featuring locally grown farm bouquets that celebrate Connecticut-grown flowers all season long, starting at just $25. 62 Danbury Road, botanicalsbyjessica.com, @BotanicalsbyJessica
IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT. 2 OUT OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.
The best outcomes don’t happen on listing day – they happen in the weeks before
From pricing strategy and home preparation to professional marketing and buyer outreach, every detail matters. And in a market this competitive, the homes that stand out are the ones that were planned with intention
I specialize in guiding sellers through every step of the process so you feel confident, informed, and ready to maximize your results.
Let’s start the conversation.
Contact Jay Contessa for a private seller consultation.
I N G S R E G G I OI N S P I R E D L E A R N I N G T O R I D G E F I E L D
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRIBECA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
For many parents, choosing a preschool means choosing between philosophy and practicality. A nurturing, child-led educational approach typically comes with a three-hour school day. Full-day care might provide the hours working families need, but not necessarily the educational experience they envisioned for their child.
“Parents want a rich pedagogy and thoughtful approach,” explains Doug Schachtel, Co-Owner of Tribeca Community School. “But they also may need full-day care. Too often, they’re forced to choose.”
Tribeca Community School (TCS) is changing that. Opening September 8 at 66 Grove Street, the school brings its 20-year Manhattan legacy to Ridgefield, offering Ridgefield families the best of both worlds: a rich Reggio-inspired learning environment paired with flexible hours to suit every family’s needs.
For Doug, the expansion is also something of a homecoming. He spent the first decade of his life in Ridgefield, attending preschool here before his family moved to New Canaan.
“I have so many fond memories of a joyful childhood spent here,” he tells us. “Cooling off at the Boys & Girls Club, playing soccer at Veteran’s Park, eating fried chicken from Ancona’s Market!”
The philosophy of TCS is grounded in the belief that children are not empty vessels waiting to be filled with information. Rather, they arrive with ideas, theories, and an innate desire to understand the world around them. Teachers serve as observers and collaborators, carefully documenting children’s interests and designing experiences that build upon them.
“Our teachers see themselves as researchers,” Doug says. “They’re always observing what the children are doing, learning who the children are and seeing what inspires them. The learning experiences are then crafted around what is observed in the children.”
Doug and his business partner, Babur Habib, became co-owners of TCS in lower Manhattan just over a decade ago. The two had founded Portfolio School together—a project-based K-8 school in Tribeca. When TCS’s founder and educator, Ayala Marcktell, was planning to retire, she asked if they’d take on the preschool too.
“It aligned perfectly with our vision of education,” Doug tells us. “A Reggio-inspired preschool is like a cousin to project-based learning for older children. So we saw a natural connection to our work.”
It also helped that Babur’s daughter attended TCS and, as a parent, he saw what a rich experiential learning environment can do for a child’s learning and confidence.
TCS is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Developed by educator Loris Malaguzzi in post-World War II Italy, Reggio Emilia is grounded in the belief that children are naturally curious, capable learners whose interests and ideas help guide the educational process.
The curriculum is emergent—meaning topics of study grow naturally from children’s questions and discoveries. Rather than following a rigid lesson plan, teachers observe what sparks children’s curiosity and build short- and longterm investigations around those interests.
Doug shares a recent example from the Manhattan school: children in one classroom became fascinated with birds and decided they wanted to send the birds written messages. During the project, the children covered a tree in paper and decorated it with messages, while also crafting notes to dangle from its branches.
“They were practicing writing,” Doug says. “The children did not realize it was a literacy lesson because it was wrapped up in an idea they were genuinely excited about.”
As projects evolve, children are encouraged to work together, test ideas, ask questions, and learn from one another through what TCS calls Collaborative Problem Solving. Teachers document those moments through photographs, notes, and displays of children’s work, making learning visible and allowing students to revisit their thinking, reflect on their discoveries, and build upon them over time.
The philosophy also embraces what Reggio educators call The Hundred Languages: the idea that children express themselves in countless ways, from painting and sculpture to storytelling, music, movement, and dramatic play. At TCS, those forms of expression are nurtured throughout the school—but perhaps nowhere more visibly than in the atelier, a dedicated studio space designed to encourage exploration through a wide range of materials and media.
“It’s not like going to an arts classroom that’s separated from the rest of the school, where now we’re doing arts as a special,” Doug says. “It’s embedded in the culture and the everyday experience of the school as a whole. The atelier is the heart and the anchor point of that work.”
Guiding that work is an atelierista (or atelieristo), an artist/educator whose role centers on supporting creative exploration and helping weave art throughout the curriculum—not just within the walls of the atelier itself.
Completely renovated by the team at KG&D Architects, the Ridgefield location comprises 11,000 square feet, is flooded with natural light, and includes 12 classrooms, as well as movement rooms and shared community spaces.
For the playground, TCS partnered with Frederick Martin of Environment Design, a playground designer known for building
with natural materials—the same designer behind the playground at New Canaan Country School, where one of TCS’s advisors heads the early learning program.
The outdoor space and movement rooms will also include Imagination Playground blocks, large blue building pieces designed by architect David Rockwell that let kids construct their own play environments. Doug has a personal connection to the equipment, having once worked for the company that produces them.
The Ridgefield campus is also expanding the school’s age range: while the Manhattan location starts at age two, TCS Ridgefield will welcome children from six weeks to six years old. Doug believes the power of the school’s philosophy begins at these earliest stages, long before children are old enough for traditional academics.
Kindergarten readiness is a central priority at TCS, guided naturally by the school’s engaging, exploratory approach to learning. The curriculum is benchmarked against Connecticut’s kindergarten-readiness guidelines, with literacy, math, and social-emotional skills woven into daily experiences rather than taught through worksheets or screens.
When Doug and Babur began exploring locations beyond New York City, they considered communities throughout Fairfield County and northern New Jersey. But they kept coming back to Ridgefield, helped along by the fact that Babur’s brother and sister-in-law already live in town.
“It’s not just finding a space,” Doug says. “It’s finding a community where this type of education resonates.”
And for TCS, that idea of community has always been central. More than a descriptor in the school’s name, community serves as a guiding principle—one that shapes not only the classroom experience, but also the relationships between children, teachers, and families.
“Families play an important role in a child’s education,” Doug says. “There can’t be a complete separation between home and school for this to work as it should.”
That emphasis on connection may be arriving at just the right moment in Ridgefield. In a town where conversations about childhood increasingly revolve around screen time, technology, and how to preserve opportunities for realworld play, TCS is offering something intentionally low-tech: classrooms without screens, curriculum driven by curiosity, and learning rooted in hands-on exploration.
Melissa Barissi, Program Director of TCS Ridgefield—whose own son, Cooper, will attend the school this year—believes that sense of intentionality is part of what has resonated with local families.
“This school is being built with enormous intention and care,” she says. “Every decision, from the materials in the classroom to the way we design our outdoor space, has been made with purpose.”
The response has been encouraging. Hundreds of families have already joined the school’s email list, and TCS plans to open 5 or 6 of its 12 classrooms this fall, ensuring a thoughtful start as they welcome their first group of children.
But for Melissa, success won’t ultimately be measured by enrollment numbers. It will be measured in smaller moments: a child who enters nervously in September and runs through the door by year’s end; a family who feels like they truly know their child’s teacher; a staff meeting where a teacher shares an observation about a child and it leads to a meaningful conversation about how to support that child’s growth.
“If we’ve built a place where children feel safe, families feel connected, and teachers feel supported and inspired by their work,” she says, “that is a successful first year.”
TCS Ridgefield is now enrolling. Visit tcsridgefield.com and follow along on social media @TCSRidgefield to learn more.
Integrated Behavioral Health is here to walk alongside you with care and understanding. We specialize in supporting individuals, couples, parents, and children through life’s challenges – offering therapy, neuropsychological testing, ADHD treatment, child and adolescent services, marriage counseling, medication management, and more.
integratedbehavioralhealthct.com 203-240-7093 | Vintegrated.behavioral.health Ridgefield, CT | Danbury, CT We are a private pay (out of network) provider.
Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction.
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATASHA FLEMING PHOTOGRAPHY
Most parents don’t enroll their children in martial arts because they dream of raising the next black belt. They’re looking for something that’s harder to teach: confidence, discipline, respect, resilience.
The high kicks, one-two punches, and swinging nunchaku may be what draws kids in. But at SDSS Martial Arts in Ridgefield, it’s the life skills developed along the way that keep families coming back.
“From the moment you walk through the door, our main philosophy is community,” says Sifu Chris Roos, who owns and runs the Ridgefield school. “We want the atmosphere to feel like students come first—kids and adults both. At a lot of schools, it can feel like the focus is on the next belt test. With us, we want to make an impact on these kids’ lives. I know that sounds corny, but I really believe it’s true.”
SDSS, founded in 1994, is Ridgefield’s longest-running martial arts studio. The school is rooted in the Shaolin tradition of kung fu. SDSS operates many locations throughout Connecticut and the Northeast, with instructors gathering weekly for additional training with Professor Mikael Meyer, a 9th-degree black belt. Chris’s martial arts journey began as a young child, and having the ability to further his expertise is something he deeply values.
“That’s something you don’t really get from a lot of martial arts schools,” Chris says. “Many of them train their instructors and leave it there. We’re always re-certifying and re-checking our instructors.”
That commitment to consistency and ongoing training helps set SDSS apart in an industry where “McDojo”—a tongue-incheek nickname for schools that prioritize rapid belt promotions over meaningful instruction—has become part of the martial arts lexicon.
Chris explains that there are many disciplines within martial arts—karate, taekwondo, and jujitsu among them—and practitioners often have strong opinions about which is best.
“What people don’t always realize,” he says, “is how much those disciplines actually share. Think of it like this: kung fu is the math, the scaffolding. Physics, chemistry, biology—they all use math; they just apply it differently. Karate, taekwondo, and jujitsu are doing the same thing with kung fu. They’re taking that same underlying framework and applying it in their own way.”
It’s a fitting analogy for a studio that encourages parents to look beyond labels and belt colors and focus instead on the fundamentals.
At SDSS, advancement is tied to the student—not the calendar. Some children move quickly through the ranks. Others need more time to master a technique or develop the focus and self-control each level demands.
“We try to keep a straightforward progression for belt tests,” Chris says, “but everyone is different.”
That philosophy begins with the school’s youngest students. Children as young as three can join, but instructors first offer a free assessment to determine whether a child is truly ready.
“If they’re not going to get anything out of the program yet, we’ll tell the parents,” Chris says. “We’re not interested in having someone pay for classes if their child isn’t ready.”
That same earnestness surfaces when Chris is asked about his favorite part of teaching.
“With kids, the style is a lot less important,” he says. “It’s much more about instilling the values that most martial arts share— self-discipline, self-control, respect, honesty, patience. But the most important skill I teach kids is confidence.”
Chris describes the kind of student who arrives shy and withdrawn or perhaps struggling socially.
“Seeing them become more self-assured, make friends in class, and come out of their shell—that’s definitely the best part of my job.”
While students learn practical self-defense skills—and younger children in particular benefit from the coordination, balance, and strength that training builds—Chris says character development remains at the heart of every class.
Lessons in respect, patience, honesty, self-control, and perseverance are part of each training session, helping students build skills that extend far beyond the studio.
The sense of community extends beyond the mats. Throughout the year, SDSS hosts movie nights, pizza parties, camps, and other events designed to bring families together outside of class.
“We’re always thinking about things we can do to foster that sense of community,” Chris says.
Students at SDSS range from toddlers to people in their 70s, and the first class is always free. After that, students have a range of programs to choose from. Beyond weekly classes, SDSS also runs camps during the summer, school breaks, and holidays.
In an era when many youth activities can feel increasingly transactional, SDSS Martial Arts remains focused on something more enduring. Beyond the kicks, punches, and nunchaku, the goal is to help children develop confidence, character, and a sense of belonging—skills that will serve them long after they leave the mat.
SDSS Martial Arts of Ridgefield is located at 125 Danbury Road. Visit sdssridgefield.com to learn more and book a free class.
THE CHILDREN’S BUSINESS FAIR IN RIDGEFIELD CELEBRATES KID-POWERED COMMERCE
When Xin Zhang Zeck’s 12-year-old son Gavin asked her for a credit card, she was stunned.
“He wasn’t asking how to earn money,” she recalls. “He wasn’t asking for a debit card. He wanted a credit card! And he had no idea how to make money in the first place.”
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATASHA FLEMING PHOTOGRAPHY
Xin, an acupuncturist, and her husband, attorney Mark Zeck, are both small business owners who share office space on Grove Street. Building a business from the ground up is second nature to them—and Xin realized
her son needed some of that firsthand experience. So instead of getting him a credit card, she gave him a challenge: before spending money, he needed to learn how to make it.
Xin began researching ways to teach Gavin and daughter Brianna financial literacy. She spoke with local banks and crowdsourced ideas from other parents.
“No one I spoke to was proactively teaching their kids about business,” she says. “But everyone wanted to know what I was doing.”
That gap became the catalyst. Xin went home and told her husband she wanted to build something—not just for their kids, but for other kids, too.
“It’s about time,” Mark told her. “You can do it!”
The idea grew into the Ridgefield Children’s Business Fair: an opportunity for kids to build a small business from scratch—market it, sell their products, and experience both the rewards and realities of entrepreneurship. Think lemonade stand, then add mentorship, business fundamentals, and dozens of young entrepreneurs sharing a communal marketplace.
Participants met three months ahead of the fair for a kickoff meeting at the Zecks’ office on Grove Street. This was followed by Zoom check-ins and an active Telegram group chat.
Xin guided the kids—and their parents—through the essentials: turning an idea into a business, sourcing materials, pricing, budgeting, and marketing.
“Everything has to come from an initial idea,” Xin explains. “Once the kids had their idea, we talked about how they’d actually put it into action. Would they make something or collect it? How would they price it? What was their budget?”
The kids also learned the difference between revenue and profit so they would understand that the money they earned still had to account for the cost of materials.
Many participants teamed up with siblings, neighbors, or friends, fostering another valuable lesson along the way.
“In addition to everything else, they’re also learning what teamwork is all about,” Xin says.
Parents were given a job description too—and it was a simple one.
“Your job is not to do everything for them!” Xin told them. “Your job is to let them learn .”
Jenny Hlavac, whose fifth-grade daughter Hannah, of Hannah’s Custom Creations, sold customized Ridgefield merchandise, says that philosophy has been one of the program’s greatest strengths.
“I think it’s a lesson for parents to take a step back and let their kids take the lead,” she says. “To ask questions and allow them the space to figure things out and problem-solve on their own.”
In just one year, the Children’s Business Fair doubled in size. Last year, nine booths filled half the gym at the Boys & Girls Club. This year, the
entire gymnasium buzzed with activity as 19 young vendors, ranging in age from 6 to 14, showcased jewelry, 3D-printed creations, customized clothing, birdhouses, paintings, and more.
Before the doors opened to the public, Xin led the group of entrepreneurs from booth to booth, interviewing and encouraging the kids while giving everyone a chance to learn from one another.
“I told them, even if you only have one customer today, it’s going to be exactly the same as if you had one hundred customers,” she says. “You’re going to show the best of yourself. You’re going to share your story—where you’re coming from and why you made what you’re selling. You’re going to ask questions that help you improve and be brave enough to take risks, because some people may ask tricky questions. You’re going to learn from each other. You’re going to have fun. But most important of all—you’re going to be proud of yourself and have faith in yourself.”
Steve Ippolito, whose daughter Katelyn was participating in the event, volunteered to take photos of the fair. Spencer Arrindell, who graduated from Scotts Ridge Middle School in June, filmed throughout the event. Two secret judges circulated, evaluating booths on categories including presentation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Customers stopped in to browse, and young vendors practiced their sales pitches—halting and uncertain at first, but growing more confident as the morning went on.
For many of the young entrepreneurs, the hardest part wasn’t coming up with an idea or building a product. It was putting themselves out there.
Rong Huang shared a story about watching his daughters hang flyers around town to promote the fair. At the start, they were reluctant to approach people.
“I could see the transformation,” he says. “From the earliest strangers they talked to, to the last—they probably spoke with at least 50 people that day. The growth in their confidence was incredible.”
That flyer led to one of Xin’s favorite stories from the fair. A local resident saw the girls promoting the event and reached out the next day. She had slate sitting unused in her basement and offered it to any vendor who could use it. Another young entrepreneur ended up incorporating the donated materials into her booth.
“I told the kids the little things you’re doing today may seem like they’re only helping your booth,” Xin says. “But you’re impacting other people, too.”
That spirit of camaraderie was present not just in the lead-up, but throughout the event itself. Volunteers—friends, neighbors, and adults whose children weren’t even participating in the Children’s Business Fair—pitched in to help make the event a success. Local businesses contributed as well. 850 offered a steep discount on pizza after Xin allowed the owner’s son, Landon Bolender of LRB Layercraft 3D Printing, late entry to the fair.
As the morning wound down, Xin handed out certificates and announced awards in the same categories the secret judges had been quietly scoring all morning.
Then came the closing ceremony, where participants had the option to donate a portion of their earnings to local nonprofits: the Boys & Girls Club, Meals on Wheels, and Rides for Ridgefield.
“It’s a way to teach kids that money can be spent, saved, invested—or donated,” Xin says.
The young entrepreneurs left the fair carrying more than the day’s earnings. They left with confidence.
“Xin organized such a wonderful fair,” one parent told us. “It was truly beautiful to see so many young entrepreneurs showcasing their creativity, hard work, and dedication through their creations. It was inspiring to watch them step outside their comfort zones, interact with customers, and learn such valuable life lessons. We so appreciate Xin and all of the time, effort, and care she put into making this event possible for the children.”
What started as a mother’s response to a simple question about a credit card has become something much larger: a place where children learn not only how to make money, but how to take risks, solve problems, support one another, and discover what they’re capable of achieving.
Weeks after the event, Xin says she is still hearing from people interested in products they discovered while visiting the young entrepreneurs’ booths.
“I want them to feel special,” she says. “I want them to be proud of themselves. You have to put yourself out there and let the whole world know what you’re doing. At the Children’s Business Fair, they’re the superstars.”
XIN ZHANG ZECK
Xin Zhang Zeck, owner of Xin Zhang Acupuncture, LLC, founded the Children’s Business Fair in 2025 to teach her children—and other local kids—what it takes to build and run a business. Families interested in participating in the 2027 fair or businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Xin at xin.acupuncture@gmail.com .
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY NATASHA FLEMING
PHOTOGRAPHY
A handwritten card adorned with bespoke artwork was given to Dr. Maria Kremerman-Waltz, DVM, at her former practice. The sentiment read: “Kindness is the one commodity that you should spend more freely than you earn.”
That sentiment became a guiding principle for Dr. KremermanWaltz, better known as Masha. It has shaped how she practices veterinary medicine and how she built her Ridgefield practice, Pawpaw Tree Veterinary Clinic, quite literally from the ground up.
“Being on the other side of it now and thinking back to those early days, I honestly don’t know how we got through it,” Masha reflects. “But once the ball was rolling, we just focused on the next thing that had to be done.”
Soft spoken and quietly resolute, Masha is, in many ways, exactly as she comes across: steady, grounded, and determined. Getting to this point required overcoming plenty of obstacles, but if there’s one trait that rivals her kindness, it’s her perseverance.
Masha and her family immigrated to the United States from Lithuania during the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992.
“We were packed up and ready to emigrate to Israel,” she recalls. “But we happened to win the lottery for the U.S. two weeks before moving.”
The Kremermans settled in Kings Highway, Brooklyn, before eventually moving to the Pelham Parkway area of the Bronx.
“I always wanted to be a vet,” Masha says with a smile. “I know it’s such a cliché. But since I was a child, I’ve always loved animals.”
Masha attended The Bronx High School of Science and earned her undergraduate degree from Hunter College in New York City.
She went on to study at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts before completing her clinical training at Tufts University near Boston.
Today, Masha is happily married to Bobby Waltz, also a small business owner, and they share their home with two rescue pups, Bart and Flower. With Pawpaw Tree Veterinary Clinic, she’s realizing a dream years in the making.
After veterinary school and clinical training, Masha worked in hospitals throughout the Northeast before joining a privately owned practice in Mamaroneck, New York. There, she experienced the kind of community-based veterinary care she had always hoped to practice—getting to know families over years and caring for pets through every stage of life.
Then the practice changed hands.
“My boss planned to retire,” she says, “and ended up selling the practice to a corporation. After the first couple of years, it became clear that their initiatives were not in the best interest of the patients—or the employees.”
Masha’s experience reflects a broader shift across veterinary medicine toward corporate ownership and changing hospital dynamics.
“You hit a point of diminishing returns,” Masha says. “It’s sustainable to a certain degree, and then people start saying, ‘No.’”
Masha watched decisions get made by people who had never set foot in the exam room. Prices rose. Staffing got tighter. Employees had less say in how the hospital ran. But the hardest loss to watch was the loss of continuity.
Veterinary medicine, to her, is about relationships built over years—watching a family’s pet grow from puppy to senior and helping them through the hard decisions along the way.
“My goal as a veterinarian is to have a long-term relationship with pet owners,” she says. “I want to see your pet through their whole life.”
Disenchanted with where the industry was headed, Masha decided to open her own practice. She connected with a Kentucky-based veterinary contract lawyer, who pointed her to a startup lending program for veterinary practices through Bank of America, which she used to secure financing.
Then, through a combination of local connections, good timing, and, of course, perseverance, she heard about a building for sale in Branchville.
“Laura Ancona was our realtor, and she was phenomenal,” Masha says. “We saw the building in November 2024 and knew it would take a lot of work—we just didn’t know how much.”
Before construction could even begin, local attorneys Patrick Walsh and Bob Jewell had to close the real estate deal and secure the special permitting needed to convert the building into a veterinary clinic.
Then came the surprises.
The well was contaminated. Evidence of an old fire had been painted over. Water damage was everywhere. What Masha had envisioned as a major renovation quickly became something closer to a complete rebuild.
Architect Doug Macmillan designed the transformation within the building’s existing footprint, while Joe Fossi and his crew at Pelham Homes LLC brought the plans to life. Outside, Bobby and his team at Waltz Landscaping created a welcoming green space, complete with pollinator-friendly plantings and, of course, pawpaw trees.
“When I was thinking about what to name the practice, I wanted something rooted in nature but not another version of ‘oak,’ ‘maple,’ or ‘dogwood,’” Masha says. “A friend suggested ‘pawpaw tree.’ It’s a unique native tree that people don’t know much about—and I loved that.”
Indigenous to the eastern United States, pawpaw trees produce a tropical-tasting fruit often described as a cross between a mango and a banana. They’re more common farther south, but also turn up in pockets of the Midwest and Northeast, including Connecticut.
Designer Natasha Habermann, of Natasha Habermann Studio, helped bring Masha’s vision to life. Together, they chose a color palette intended to feel calming for pets and owners alike. From the green exterior with its scalloped trim and shutters—Benjamin Moore’s Aganthus Green and Enchanted Forest—to the bright, light-filled rooms inside, Pawpaw Tree Vet feels more like a home than a clinic.
This emphasis on comfort extends beyond aesthetics. Masha is currently pursuing Fear Free certification, a nationally
recognized program focused on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in veterinary settings, and she hopes to eventually have the entire clinic certified.
She worked with a veterinary design specialist to configure the clinic’s layout in a way that minimizes stress for visiting animals. As a result, there are separate waiting areas and exam rooms for dogs and cats, and the feline exam room includes elevated perches for adventurous climbers. Extra soundproofing helps reduce barking and other noises that might unsettle nervous patients. Up a wide, low-rise staircase on the second floor are the surgery suite and dental area, along with separate recovery spaces for cats and dogs.
Masha is also working toward accreditation through the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), widely considered the gold standard in veterinary medicine. The voluntary designation reflects a commitment to meeting or exceeding rigorous standards across every aspect of veterinary care.
Comfort for visiting animals matters just as much as accessibility for their owners. Pawpaw Tree Vet offers nontraditional office hours—including early mornings, later evenings, and weekend availability. The clinic has partnered with a veterinary telehealth triage service, so pet owners can connect with a veterinarian after hours to figure out whether an issue can wait or needs emergency care.
The practice opened with a staff of five and plans to grow as demand increases. Stuart, a veterinarian from Ecuador whom Masha has worked alongside for more than six years, serves as lead technician while completing the U.S. licensing requirements to practice veterinary medicine here. Dentistry is his particular passion and specialty.
The rest of the team was chosen just as carefully. Sarah, a veterinary assistant, is certified in low-stress handling techniques. Nathan is new to the profession but has spent his life around animals and felt called to veterinary medicine. Donya, the clinic’s client care coordinator, is a certified dog trainer with extensive experience in rescue and shelter work who recently enrolled in a veterinary technician program. Astri, a part-time licensed veterinary technician, brings more than two decades of experience to the practice.
“Clinical skills can be taught,” Masha says. “But kindness and compassion are innate, and I’m so proud of the team we’ve put together at Pawpaw Tree Vet.”
Stuart tells us, “Masha and her husband, Bobby, have put so much care, hard work, and love into creating a
“My goal as a veterinarian is to have a long-term relationship with pet owners. I want to see your pet through their whole life.”
place where pets and their families feel welcome. I see it every day—in the long hours, the attention to every detail, and the genuine kindness they bring to everything they do. I’m grateful to be part of this team and excited to see the positive difference Pawpaw Tree Vet will make in our community.”
Long before the space had exam rooms, surgery suites, or a cheerful exterior, it had Masha. And Masha had a guiding principle.
The handwritten card still hangs on Masha’s wall—a reminder of the kind of veterinarian, employer, and practice owner she hopes to be.
If Masha’s vision holds, that’s the kind of clinic Pawpaw Tree Vet will become—one where she gets to know a family’s pets from their first visit to their last, just as she always wanted.
Pawpaw Tree Vet is now accepting new patients at 723 Branchville Road. Call 475-215-9005 or visit pawpawtreevet.com to learn more and follow along on Instagram @PawpawTreeVet
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
JANIE
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
