Fairfield Living Magazine, November/December 2019

OUR BETTER SELVES

10 STORIES OF HELPING OTHERS

Pasta Carbonara, according to The Sinclair

Wildlife in Crisis

The risk is real.

Thanks to this amazing nonprofit, there’s help

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 | $5.95

PAGE 42

CRAVEWORTHY EATS

Let’s go grab a bite!

Time for good friends and comfort food, from street-style tacos to a satisfying dish of pasta carbonara

Holiday Shopping Guide

50+

STYLISH AND FUN FINDS

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contents NOV/DEC 2019 vol. 9 | issue 6

features

departments

42

12 EDITOR’S LETTER 15 STATUS REPORT

TOGETHER WE RISE

BUZZ The new BD Provisions will remind you of the perks of specialty markets

At this time of year, we are reminded to look at the bigger picture, to be grateful and to give back. Here are local people who found a deeper purpose in philanthropy and giving.

Light a Fire is the inspiration we all need now.

Quick escapes to a world of flavor at local eats Design inspiration at Rooms with a View Is it time to try acupuncture?

by ji l l joh n son

SHOP 50+ finds in our holiday gift guide

54

GO Destination: Portugal Experience the new Infiniti QX50

TO THE RESCUE You found a baby bird or a hurt deer in your backyard. Do you know what to do? Because of Wildlife in Crisis, you have help.

Here’s the nonprofit’s amazing story.

33 PEOPLE & PLACES 37 VOWS

Celebrating local newlyweds: Pratt–Theobald and Beiriger–Corrigan

by joey macari

40 FINANCE FIX

Looking beyond the stock market

on t h e c ov er : t h e si nc l ai r phot o g r aph y b y k at e ly n r acan elli

Plus!

63 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 64 CALENDAR

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE, PAGE 22 You’ve been good all year, so here’s your treat: chic, fun, on-trend, sweet and oh-so-stylish finds.

FAIRFIELD LIVING NOV/DEC 2019, VOL. 9, NO. 6. FAIRFIELD LIVING (ISSN 2163-7555) is published bi-monthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to FAIRFIELD LIVING PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. Subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign $44/1 year, $72/2 years.

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CONTRIBUTED

by megan gagnon

1 9 1 0

digital content & MORE

nov/dec 2019

FAIRFIELDLIVINGMAG.com

EATING ON THE GO

CELEBRATING THE SCENE STEALERS OF OUR CITY

PARTY PHOTOS

Visit our galleries for all the fun

THE CELEBRITY VISITS, FABULOUS FASHIONS AND MOVING MOMENTS FROM ALL THE HOTTEST EVENTS

above: The writer pauses between food write-ups

SOCIAL FEEDS ON LOCAL FOOD

PLUS! SEE MORE NOW! This power-lifting, fuel-feeding champ has more to inspire you throughout the holidays with regular posts on Instagram @georgetttte

FOLLOW US ON:

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A-LIST AWARDS: PHOTOS 1, 3, 4, 7, 10 BY JACEK DOLATA; 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 BY KRISTIN BURKE HYNES

GEORGETTE YACOUB writes for Moffly Media.

She’s always up for the chance to check out what’s new at local restaurants, cafés and eateries. When she’s not running around doing research for us, she manages a team of nutrition-and-fitness coaches. We’ll be posting her food picks for busy people!

WORLD LEADER IN ORTHOPEDICS. LOCAL ADDRESS. HSS Orthopedics and Stamford Health have teamed up in Connecticut.

The same expertise that earned HSS U.S. News & World Report’s

New patients welcome.

#1 ranking for orthopedics in the nation can be found locally

To learn more or make an appointment with an HSS

through its unique collaboration with Stamford Health. As a U.S.

specialist, please call 877-589-8545 or visit

News & World Report Best Hospital in the Faireld County area,

HSS.edu/StamfordHealth

Stamford Health attracts world-leading specialists, including HSS for orthopedics.

HSS Orthopedic specialists see patients at HSS Stamford at Chelsea Piers. If surgery is necessary, the HSS surgeons operate at the award-winning Stamford Hospital and Stamford Health Tully Health Center. We’re here for you because how you move is who you are, how you are and how you live.

Most major insurance plans accepted.

HSS Stamford 1 Blachley Rd Stamford, CT 06902

vol. 9 | no. 6 | november/december 2019 creative director

Amy Vischio executive editor

Cristin Marandino

editorial editor

Diane Talbot Sembrot market editor

Megan Gagnon advisory editor

Donna Moffly assistant editor

Joey Macari contributing editors

Elizabeth Hole - custom publishing Julee Kaplan - new canaan • darien

Save Lives.

copy editors

Terry Christofferson, Kathryn Satterfield contributing writers

Build Healthier Futures.

Carol Leonetti Dannhauser, Kim-Marie Evans, Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick, Chris Hodenfield, Jill Johnson editorial advisory board

Nancy Conroy, Linda Coursen, Bridgett Csapo DiBonaventura, Dana McCreesh, Marybeth McGee, Caren Hart Nelson, Gerard Pampalone, Lynne Taikowski, Donna Twist

Learn more about our work at americares.org

art senior art director

Venera Alexandrova senior art director, status report

Garvin Burke art director

Tim Carr

For over a century, Cummings & Lockwood has provided sophisticated legal representation to individuals, families and businesses.

contributing art director

Kim Gilby new canaan • darien production director

Kerri Rak design assistant

Taylor Stroili contributing photographer

Melani Lust

digital media digital media manager

Amber Scinto digital editor

Diane Sembrot

Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

International Estate and Tax Planning

Philanthropic Giving

Business Succession Planning

Probate and Estate Administration

Corporate and Finance

Wealth Protection Planning

Litigation and Arbitration

Fiduciary and Trustee Services

Commercial and Residential Real Estate

www.cl-law.com

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BROADWAY

Joanna Gleason

Out of the Eclipse Friday, November 8, 2019 | 7 pm

“Goodness. Glorious.” – Theater Pizzazz Straight from a sold-out run at Feinstein’s/54 Below, experience this Tony Award-winner.

DANCE

Frédérick Gravel

Fear and Greed

Thursday, November 14, 2019 | 8 pm Friday, November 15, 2019 | 8 pm Saturday, November 16, 2019 | 8 pm

“For a thought-provoking and aesthetically on-point show that will make you chuckle with delight and rock out to your own existential crisis, check out Fear and Greed.” – Montreal Theatre Hub FAMILY FUN

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy

A Celtic Family Christmas Thursday, December 5, 2019 | 8 pm

A Celtic Family Christmas includes a line-up of familiar Christmas songs intermingled with classic Celtic and Irish tunes.

editor’s letter

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 / DIANE SEMBROT

JUST LIKE MAGIC

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nonprofit. Perhaps it’s because she knows Save the Children provides emergency relief to children in nearly 120 countries whenever they are in harm’s way, from a natural disaster to a war. This Fairfield-based organization has found a big champion in her.

Read about Renn and Tracy inside this issue, and then join us for the Light a Fire awards presentation on December 5. Mix and mingle with philanthropic heroes. When you learn what got them started, you might be inspired to find a cause that needs you, too.

Once again, the incredible James Naughton will emcee the event. We at Moffly Media are his biggest fans; it just wouldn’t be the same without him. So what’s his passion project?

Wildlife in Crisis, a local nonprofit that rescues injured and abandoned wildlife: owls, bunnies, deer and all manner of critters and creatures that share our towns. We went for a visit, and just wait until you see the adorable photos.

When we pair our talents (fundraising, networking, organizing, event planning) with our passions (education, the arts, poverty, health), we do good. When we take action with no expectation other than to make a meaningful contribution, we go beyond good—we make magic. Sounds like the holidays, right?

Wishing you and your family all the best,

Stay in touch! diane.sembrot@moffly.com

PHOTO BY BRUCE PLOTKIN

D

id our cover shot get you? When our team first saw it, this updated pasta carbonara sure hushed the room.

There’s no better antidote to a stretch of chilly weather than a big serving of your favorite comfort food. It’s not unlike the holiday season itself; just as the days get colder and darker, we get a reprieve with heart-warming celebrations. In this issue, we look at a few of our favorite things about this season.

Yes, the food. Turn to our Buzz section for a fun take on that age-old question: Where should we eat tonight? We offer up a world of options and flavors that will have you and your family and friends looking for reasons to gather around the table.

And, of course, shopping. Our holiday gift guide is packed with super-stylish finds.

These pages were curated by Fairfielder Megan Gagnon; you can bet that she had her hometown in mind when she made her picks.

Also, generosity. We have a double serving of inspirational stories of giving. First up is Light a Fire, our chance to introduce you to locals who are making a difference. Our editorial team found outstanding honorees this year. For example, Renn Gordon (aside from wielding a tremendous amount of charm) supports the emerging generation of thinkers and doers by providing scholarships to local high school students, as well as offering sage advice from the heart.

We also spotlight Tracy McHale Stuart, a member of the Board of Trustees at Save the Children. A CEO at an investment firm and a mom, this dynamo somehow finds time to support the century-old global

Advanced technology.

Skilled specialists. Urology at Bridgeport Hospital.

One of the most advanced and comprehensive urologic programs is right here at Bridgeport Hospital. From kidney stones and female incontinence to infertility and urologic cancers – our specialists offer personalized care for adults and children including robotic and microsurgery. Advanced outpatient treatments are available for common male and female urinary and pelvic disorders. Using advanced blue light cystoscopy, we can more accurately diagnose and treat bladder cancer.

And, as part of Yale New Haven Health, we offer the opportunity to participate in the latest clinical trials. That’s the promise of today’s Bridgeport Hospital. bridgeporthospital.org

Matthew Wosnitzer, MD

SET YOUR SIGHTS ON 2020!

THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON AT WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE APR 14 – MAY 2, 2020

SEPT 29 – OCT 17, 2020

next to normal

antigone

This 2009 Tony Award-winning hit musical and winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama gives a groundbreaking look at a family in crisis, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary musical theater. From the director/choreographer of the Playhouse’s 2019 hit, In the Heights.

A determined young woman bravely defies a king in this thrilling drama about the nature of power and resistance. This classic play speaks across centuries to those living in a climate of fear and polarization.

JUNE 9 – 27, 2020

NOV 3 – 21, 2020

tiny house

blues for an alabama sky

Fireworks fly in this new comedy when family, friends, and quirky neighbors come together for a July 4th barbecue at the off-the-grid, isolated mountain paradise of a young, urban couple.

As the creative euphoria of the Harlem Renaissance succumbs to the harsh realities of the Great Depression, a community of friends resolves to keep their hopes and dreams alive.

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

BY SOPHOCLES A WORLD PREMIERE TRANSLATION AND ADAPTATION BY KENNETH CAVANDER DIRECTED BY DAVID KENNEDY

BY PEARL CLEAGE DIRECTED BY LA WILLIAMS

BY MICHAEL GOTCH DIRECTED BY MARK LAMOS

JUL 21 – AUG 8, 2020

ain’t misbehavin’

new subscriptions on sale now!

CONCEIVED BY RICHARD MALTBY, JR. AND MURRAY HORWITZ DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY CAMILLE A. BROWN The 1978 Tony Award® winner as you’ve never seen it before! A dance-filled, reimagined, sassy, and sultry musical celebration of legendary jazz great Fats Waller from director/choreographer Camille A. Brown (2019 Tony Nominee for Best Choreography, Choir Boy).

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buzz STATUS REPORT

HOW TO BULK SHOP LIKE A PRO

1

Assess what you have at home and what you need before coming in. You’ll probably end up picking up some items you “want” rather than “need,” but it’s always good to start with a plan.

2 above: New to bulk shopping? BD Provisions offers a glass jar exchange program to promote sustainable, reusable packaging and to eliminate excess waste. left: The co-owners of the new store

BETTER BASICS

FINALLY, THE HIP, OLD-SCHOOL,UNPLUGGED GROCERY STORY YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED—UNTIL YOU TRIED IT by joey macari

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KELLIE O’BRIEN

W

ith the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, Fairfielders should welcome a new way to buy groceries and home goods in bulk. After all, we understand that the little things we do around the home can add up to a big impact on the environment. With that in mind, BD PROVISIONS of Newtown went looking for the perfect place to open a second location. That spot is

Bring your own jars.

At BD Provisions Fairfield, you can bring in your own clean jars from home and fill them with goodies at the store.

(Otherwise, buy a jar in store; or use the free paper and compostable bags.) Be sure to “tare” the jar—weigh it empty and mark the weight with a label or wax pencil so that amount can be deducted at checkout.

3

Mark your jar or bags with the bin number of the item you’ve purchased. Each bin is labeled on the top. This speeds up the checkout process..

on tap, wellness and cleaning products and sustainable giftware.

They also frequently post recipes, featuring fresh ingredients found at their store crafted by local chefs and artisans.

If you’re a first-time bulk shopper, read on for tips— from Westporter Tara DiPippa, co-owner with her husband, Tony, and Newtown residents Cynthia and John Bocuzzi—on how to get more for less (less waste, that is).

in the Brick Walk Shopping Center. For all things outside the box, BD Provisions merges a specialty-food store with a coffee roaster and a zero-waste bulk store all under one roof. This is what makes shopping here unique. It offers an assortment of dry goods, such as more than 300 different types of tea, spices, grains, snacks, candies and nuts, as well as artisanal olive oils, honey and balsamic vinegar

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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4

Be patient. Remember bulk shopping is not as simple as scanning product barcodes. Each shopper chooses how much to take and, thus, how much to pay; checkout can take slightly longer than at an average supermarket.

5

Remember your reusable bag.

This is good habit to pick up for all of your shopping.

buzz

TASTE OF FAIRFIELD

L

FOOD ADVENTURES CLOSE TO HOME

by joey macari

et’s go on a food adventure— Fairfield has a world of options.

Maybe jetting over to Malibu for street-style tacos or dipping down to the French Quarter for a smoldering pot of jambalaya. Get packing—or, better yet, don’t: All the cross-country and global flavors you crave can be scooped up right here in Fairfield.

NEW ENGLAND Its name suggests Boca Raton in well-heeled, coastal-loving Florida, but Boca Oyster Bar (bocaoysterbar .com) at Steelpointe Harbor feels like a second home in New England. The menu features regional essentials, including fried clams, seaside ceviche and fresh lobster topped with clarified butter; but makes waves with rulebreakers, like Diver Sea Scallops, pan seared with a soy ginger glaze served over vegetable lo-mein, and pankocrusted lobster mac-n-cheese pops.

You don’t have to go to SoHo to spy a celebrity. Find one at The Chelsea (thechelseaff.com) in downtown Fairfield. Last year, Chef Eric Filitto battled it out with three other chefs to win the “Breakfast Battle” on the Food Network show Chopped. Brunch anyone? The Chelsea Scramble, with caramelized onions, crispy bacon and cheese topped with fried onion and a side of home fries, is a four-star hotshot.

above: Crowd-pleasers at Boca Oyster Bar below: Mussells in a rich broth at The Chelsea

NEW ORLEANS Trip out your tastebuds at The Sinclair Bar + Kitchen (thesinclairct .com), located in the heart of the Brick Walk Shopping Center. The menu New England staples with a Southern comfort food accent; these are flavorable twists. Its “Mussels in a Pot” menu offers six types of sauces, such as San Marzano in a tomato–cherry pepper broth and New

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PHOTOGRAPHY: BOCA BY GO NATION; THE CHELSEA BY WINTER CAPLANSON

NEW YORK

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING

2013 JAVIER SÁNCHEZ MINGORANCE-STOCK.ADOBE.COM

The Westy Experience…

“Storage at Westy enabled us to ‘get on with life’ knowing that our furniture and the like was safe, secure, and in an appropriate climate-controlled environment. The staff was wonderful.”

— CM, Fairfield

We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs.

Weddings should have a current Fairfield family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day. Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted.

Send Information to: weddings@fairfieldlivingmag.com Fairfield Living Magazine | 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

17

Orleans–style Creole chipotle with Cajun trinity (onions, bell peppers and celery) and roasted corn. For a voodoo-like spell, try the chicken and sausage gumbo, served on a bed of rice with okra, Cajun trinity, andouille sausage and chicken in a dark roux sauce. It’s not called “Fat Tuesday” for nothing—grab your friends and go feast on good food.

HAWAII Grab Maui vibes with The Cheesy Hawaiian at Flipside Burgers & Bar (flipsiderestaurant.com). It’s made with pepper Jack, BBQ pulled pork, bacon, grilled pineapple and BBQ sauce. This place specializes in burger adventures, with a menu that offers a dozen options. Consider the Chip & Dip Burger: Swiss cheese, caramelized onion, homemade potato chips and French onion dip. Of course, you can also customize your burger—let your creative side take flight.

FRANCE For a farm-to-table experience a la the French countryside, book a table at Artisan (artisansouthport.com).

This innovative, upscale restaurant offers fine cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients and plated like a work of art. Consider the pig croquettes with celeriac mousseline and blueberries. This is the elegant, Parisian getaway you’ve been dreaming of, hold the jet lag.

CALIFORNIA Inhale tacos, exhale negativity. Get a taste of that West Coast beach life at the new Malibu Taco (malibutaco .com). Boasting cool takes on trendy streetfare, this is not your average taco joint. While the Baja fish taco and pork carnitas tacos are standards, Malibu reimagines your favorite folded food, like the Nashville hot chicken taco with slaw, roasted corn, creamy chipotle and cherry peppers or the black-eyed pea falafel taco

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layover: neighborhood joint got everything you need right here? cool. meet up with friends at little pub (littlepub .com) to split a plate of nachos, fish ’n’ chips or pickle wings. this local tavern is brimming with the cozy, big-sweaterand-a-heartypint energy we all crave now.

topped with Greek-style tzatziki and a citrus twist. Flavor. You can also order several types of guacamole, stone-oven quesadillas, salads, and bowls, appetizers and entrees. The bright interior decked out with flamingos and palm trees further enhances your sensory trip. Sip on your margarita; you deserve it.

ITALY Thin-style, brick-oven pizza, fresh pastas and classic dishes at Pizzeria Molto (pizzeriamolto.com) proves there’s nothing cooler than old-schoolmade-cool Italian food. The interior of the restaurant is an homage to a 1950s New York City borough, complete with vintage Italian movies playing on screens above the forty-foot marble bar and a kitchen stocked with mozzarella, tapas, more than a dozen bottled wines served half-priced on Monday nights and a wealth of choices fit for the Medicis.

Mop up the last bite of sauce, but leave room for cocktails and desserts.

PHOTOGRAPHY: THE SINCLAIR BY KATELYN RACANELLI, FLIPSIDE BY STEPHANIE MCCOOL; LITTLE PUB BY TAKE AIM PHOTOGRAPHY; ARTISAN BY DOUG YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

far left: A next-level carbonara, a staple at The Sinclair, paired with a stuffed avocado dish left: Crispy fries top this stacked burger at Flipside Burgers & Bar top, right: The upscale modern vibe complements the tavern fare at Little Pub bottom: Artisan’s elegant beet with burratina, Chioggia chips, lemon verbena dressing and roasted pistachio

6TH ANNUAL

RESTAURANT WEEK SAVE THE DATE

OPening Night Party @JHouse March 4 2020 6:00 – 8:30 •

•

Hungry for Business?

We’re serving up Sponsorships!

To be a participating restaurant or for sponsorship opportunities please contact Trish Kirsch 203.571.1644 • trish.kirsch@moffly.com

Greenwich Restaurant Week 2020 Runs March 7th-14th greenwichrestaurantweek.com

buzz

A Peek into “Rooms”

F

ounded by world-renowned designer Albert Hadley, Rooms with a View (RWAV) is one of the most anticipated design events in Fairfield County. Each year, the multi-day affair showcases the talent of twelve accomplished designers from Fairfield County and the New York area who are invited to create six-by-eight vignettes that are staged in the historic Southport Congregational Church. Since its debut in 1995, the event has raised more than $1.6 million for a host of local charities.

RWAV kicks off with a gala on November 7, followed by a weekend of special events.

Other can’t-miss stops include The Shops at

PHOTOGRAPHY

•

RWAV, featuring decorative accessories, crafts and antiques, and the Hadley Café, offering a light lunch menu, sweet treats and creative drinks.

spotting talent early on, and the RWAV alumni list includes many designers at the very beginning of what later became celebrated careers.

The Story Behind RWAV

For more information about RWAV, turn to page 34, and visit roomswithaview.org to view the full event calendar and to purchase tickets.

In the 1980s and early ’90s, the Southport Antiques Show was Southport Congregational Church’s long-running fundraiser. By 1993, a new charitable concept emerged—a soundbite version of a designer showhouse that would connect designers with potential clients and serve as a resource for furnishings, fixtures, paint and art. Albert Hadley, who had a weekend house in Southport, was a member of the church and a tireless participant. As the design director for RWAV, the show’s calling card and its honorary chairman, Hadley carefully chose and personally invited the participating designers. He had an eye for

PHOTO BOOTH

•

VIDEO

PHOTOGRAPHY: FRAN MCMULLEN

ROOMS WITH A VIEW COMBINES GOOD DESIGN WITH A GOOD CAUSE, THANKS TO DESIGNER ALBERT HADLEY

•

SOCIAL MEDIA

Moffly Media is one of the leading providers of professional event photography and marketing services in Fairfield County.

We capture compelling, high-quality images of individuals and groups at meaningful events. With our wide range of capabilities, Moffly will customize a marketing program that’s just right for you.

LEARN MORE! Contact KATHLEEN GODBOLD at Kathleen.Godbold@moffly.com or 203.571.1654

fairfieldlivingmag.com

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buzz sore and tight muscles. She’s also on a mission to educate patients about the benefits of Chinese medicine. That said, her new book, A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture, explains it all. It’s for sale at her office as well as on Amazon.

Here (and in her book), Swanberg answers her five most-asked questions about acupuncture: What can acupuncture treat?

The most common issues people see an acupuncturist for are anxiety, insomnia, headaches, digestive issues, fertility and hormonal issues, and pain. While acupuncture can help reduce pain and inflammation after an injury, it is always wise to have an evaluation done by a medical doctor to rule out fractures and structural damage before trying acupuncture.

Sarah Swanberg in her office at Indigo Acupuncture + Wellness

GET TO THE POINT

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture needles are hair-thin filiform needles (meaning solid, single-strand needles, not syringes used for injections or drawing blood, which are hollow), and their insertion is virtually painless.

Points on the hands and feet can sometimes feel a little sharp, but the sensation is brief. It is not uncommon to feel warmth or a dull ache around the point after the needle is inserted, and you might even feel a slight pulling sensation. Once the insertion of the needles, or needling, is finished, most people feel a sense of deep calm and relaxation— similar to a daydream state. (I call this the acu-nap!)

FROM STRESS TO WRINKLES AND INFERTILITY— ACUPUNCTURE CAN HELP by julee kapl an

PHOTOS BY JULIA D’AGOSTINO

W

alking into SARAH SWANBERG ’s sunny

Stamford office on Morgan Street, the feeling of Zen almost immediately happens—this is clearly the place for wellness. The scent of lavender diffuses through the air, soft music plays in the background, and a prominent wall fixture is filled with the latest balms, tonics, candles, supplements and jade rollers.

This is INDIGO ACUPUNCTURE + WELLNESS, the practice Swanberg founded in 2018 in hopes of achieving just that for her patients: a place that combines ancient Chinese medicine with modern wellness practices.

“Anything that your body can heal from, acupuncture can help,”

explains Swanberg, a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified diplomate in Oriental medicine.

“We help to figure out where chi is stuck in order to balance the body.”

In simpler terms, Swanberg says that while acupuncture can help you to manage stress (among other issues), “it doesn’t change the stress that’s coming at us. It lowers the baseline. It takes you out of that fight-or-flight feeling and puts you into a rest and digest mode, where you feel less stressed and more balanced.”

Swanberg’s mission from the start has been to offer a range of wellness services including LED light therapy, acufacials which help target antiaging concerns, and cupping, a miracle cure for

effects are very small. The most common side effects are minor bleeding and bruising at the needle site or dizziness after a treatment. Acupuncture may not be suitable for people on blood-thinner medications, with pacemakers, or with a history of fainting and seizures.

Stephanie Zaccario and Ana-Maria Lemming

Is it expensive?

Private acupuncture can run anywhere from $70 to $150 per session. Several health insurance plans now cover acupuncture, so I always recommend checking with your insurer to see if you have acupuncture benefits.

How many sessions will I need?

The more chronic the issue, the longer the course of treatment.

Because your acupuncturist is working to restore balance and promote your body’s own healing mechanisms, it can take some time to see results.

I typically recommend weekly treatments for four to six weeks before judging if acupuncture is helping your issue.

What are the risks?

Licensed acupuncturists receive thorough training in needling technique and safety, which means that risks of serious side

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Hair-thin needles target points to help the body manage a huge range of issues including stress and headaches.

shop by megan gagnon

Holiday Gift Guide Holiday Gift Guide Give the gift of color (and okay, black and white) with festive finds in seasonal shades

WEST ELM Kraft + glitter silver leaf wreath; $54.

Westport; westelm.com

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

HOLIDAY HUES

Holiday Gift Guide / shop

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J.CREW Lodge moccasins in metallic gold; $59.50.

Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport; jcrew.com

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CHARLOTTE TILBURY Magic Star highlighter; $45. Sephora, Greenwich; charlottetilbury.com

3 JOIE

Nadeen top; $298.

Greenwich, Westport; joie.com

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RICHARD JAMES

24K MAGIC

Classic gold slinky; $150.

The Glass House Design Store, New Canaan; theglasshouse.org

Baby, it’s gold outside

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JOHN M. KOSTICK Foldable star sculptures; $245 for set of three.

Design Within Reach, Stamford, Westport; dwr.com

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CIRE TRUDON

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Hupo candle; $125. Grayson De Vere, Greenwich; graysondevere.com

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MASTOLONI Pearl spring gold cuff bracelet; $2,940.

Henry C. Reid, Fairfield; hcreidjewelers.com

GILTY PLEASURE

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

Pedal to the (richest) metal

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MARTONE CYCLING CO. Limited Edition Grand Step Thru bike; $1,700. martonecycling.com

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RALPH LAUREN HOME Garrett mixing glass; $195. ralphlauren.com

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shop / Holiday Gift Guide

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FACE TIME

It’s French, so it must be good

DIPTYQUE Giant Ambre candle; $350. diptyqueparis.com

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MILÈO NEW YORK Elixir Oud collagen creating facial oil; $295. mileonewyork.com

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VINCE Double breasted long coat; $1,200. Greenwich, Westport; vince.com

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SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW 10.24 C Ruby three stone ring in platinum; price upon request. Greenwich; shrevecrumpandlow.com

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GIORGIO ARMANI Lip Maestro & Rouge D’Armani Matte set; $38.

Lord & Taylor, Stamford; lordandtaylor.com

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CHERRY CHRISTMAS Sweet picks in the season’s hottest shade

CANADA GOOSE

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Macmillan parka; $895.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich; saks.com

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HERMÈS 100% Calfskin leather bracelet in fuchsia and silver; $560. Greenwich; hermes.com

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Cubebot ® robot puzzle

by David Weeks; $20 Christ Church Books & Gifts, Greenwich; areaware.com

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TORY BURCH Heart statement earrings; $228. Greenwich; toryburch.com

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

AREAWARE

Holiday Gift Guide / shop

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SILVER BELLES

TALBOTS Metallic short puffer in silver; $169. Stamford, Westport; talbots.com

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OLIVER THOMAS Wingwoman tote in silver metallic dot; $125.

Kirby and Company, Darien; kirbyandcompany.com

Shine brighter than all the holiday lights

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BETTERIDGE Seven diamond chain drop earrings; $3,900.

Greenwich; betteridge.com

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JUDITH LEIBER COUTURE Silver crystal heart minaudière; $2,995.

Richards, Greenwich; mitchellstores.com

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SAINT LAURENT Small Lou Lou crystal messenger bag; $9,500. saks.com

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6 GET LIT

Deck your halls with this crisp pine scent

VERONICA BEARD Nila dress; $750. veronicabeard.com

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GROWN ALCHEMIST Hand care kit; $100. grownalchemist.com

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

SYLVA & CIE 18 K White gold and gray diamond ring; price upon request. mitchellstores.com

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MER-SEA & CO.

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Sea Pines ornament candle; $28.

Beehive, Fairfield; thebeehivefairfield.com

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shop /Holiday Gift Guide TWINKLE TWINKLE

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The stars of any holiday ensemble

JONATHAN ADLER Ornaments; $24 each. Bloomingdales, The SoNo Collection; bloomingdales.com

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ASHA Paris chandelier earrings; $295.

Greenwich; ashabyadm.com

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JUNIPER BOOKS

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Curated by color books by the foot; $150. juniperbooks.com

ILLY

Y3.2 Espresso and coffee machine; $149.

Illy.com

LET IT SNOW

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EBERJEY

All is calm, all is white

Alpine Chic, the Aspen robe; $189. Darien Sport Shop, dariensport.com

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BACCARAT Mille Nuits Flutissimo; $520 for set of two.

Greenwich; baccarat.com

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PUSH PRESENT

HUNTER

Because every doll needs a proper pram

Women’s refined slim fit tall rain boots; $165. hunterboots.com

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OLLI ELLA Strolley in white; $135.

Wee Mondine, Darien; weemondine.com

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WATERWORKS Arno pedestal bowl; $131.25. Greenwich; waterworks.com fairfieldlivingmag.com

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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Holiday Gift Guide / shop

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STUART WEITZMAN

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Jessie boot; $750. Greenwich; stuartweitzman.com

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ANTHROPOLOGIE Farmstead round cheese board; $30. anthropologie.com

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SELF-PORTRAIT Lace trim cable knit sweater; $360. Nordstrom, The SoNo Collection; nordstrom.com

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PERFECT TIME

All I want for Christmas is you

HENRY’S Notebook; $35. Greenwich; henrysleather.com

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HAT ATTACK Glam Black XL Felt Hat; $120.

The Perfect Provenance, Greenwich; theperfect provenance.com

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HERMÈS

BLACK LIST

Cape Cod watch; $15,400.

Manfredi Jewels, Greenwich, New Canaan; manfredijewels.com

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

Being naughty never looked so good

PYRO PET Dreki candle; $35.

Eleish Van Breems Home, Westport; evbantiques.com

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SKYLINE CHESS

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Premium metal New York edition; $483. skylinechess.com

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ASSOULINE Chanel: The Impossible Collection; $895. assouline.com F NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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go

b y kim-marie evans

DESTINATION: PORTUGAL

W

hile all the millennials are flocking to Lisbon, we suggest visiting the ancient city of Porto a few hours to the north, or the fairy-tale-like Sintra, just nineteen miles to the north and west. Whichever you choose, you’ll see why Portugal was just crowned the “Hottest Travel Destination of 2019” by the World Travel Awards. fairfieldlivingmag.com

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above left: Riverboats in Porto above right: What the Initiation Well was used for at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra is still a mystery.

CONTRIBUTED

UNLIKE OTHER TRENDY DESTINATIONS OF LATE—WE’RE LOOKING AT YOU, ICELAND—PORTUGAL IS AFFORDABLE AND NOT YET OVER-TOURISTED. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, December 5, 6 :30 – 9:30 p.m .

2019

Photos by Melani Lust

Please join us as we honor the extraordinary work of our community heroes.

Plus: Community Impact Awards, honoring two outstanding nonprofits Presented by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

A portion of the evening’s ticket sales will benefit Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Become a Sponsor

Join us for

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

Moffly Media’s 12th Annual Light a Fire awards reception and cocktail party at the Westport Country Playhouse

go

A little rain can’t dampen our travel writer’s spirits as she strolls to Gaia.

STOP 1 / Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and is more than just home to its namesake after-dinner drink. This riverside town is a heady jumble of Art Nouveau and a hot culinary scene set amidst ancient architecture. The city is a UNESCO Heritage site with cobblestone alleyways laid in the middle ages, but the vibe is decidedly not stale.

GETTING THERE There are plenty of daily flights from New York to Lisbon, but you can fly to Porto directly from Newark for about half the price. After a few wine-soaked days exploring the local landscape, you can hop the train to Lisbon. The trip is only two and a half hours, and tickets are around $30.

WHERE TO STAY The Torel brand of hotels has three luxury properties in Porto—a town of fewer than 300,000 residents— and two were opened within the last year.

Torel Avantgarde features edgy rooms named after artists like Warhol, Pollack and Kahlo. Torel 1884 and the new Torel Palace are both housed in former

bourgeouis palaces but feel more like the well-decorated homes of your wealthiest jet-set friends.

Because 1884 and the Palace are newly opened, they are less expensive than Avantgarde. A Torel Palace room for spring break 2020 is just 120 euros ($132 at current rates).

The Flower Room at Torel Avantgarde

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DON’T MISS Hit Livraria Lello, the bookshop rumored to have inspired JK Rowling’s depiction of Hogwarts (she taught in Porto in the ‘90s). It still sells books but charges an entrance fee to stem the tide of selfie taking nonreaders.

MISS A fado show. Fado is traditional Portuguese folk music, generally sung by a Fadista with an accompanying guitar.

The songs are usually quite sad, not that you can understand the lyrics. The emotion is conveyed by a wailing vocalist. There are a variety of reasons that even the Portuguese aren’t fans. Don’t fall for the “To do in Portugal” lists; a Fado show is a to-don’t.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CONTRIBUTED; DUORO VALLEY BY ©KATE_RIN/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CONTRIBUTED

DRINK If you can’t fit in a proper Duoro Valley wine tour (but you really should), walk fifteen minutes across the double decker Dom Luis bridge from the city center to the port wine lodges in Gaia (technically a separate town but is referred to as the Gaia side of Porto).

There are many tours and tasting rooms.

The one thing they won’t tell you is the secret production process behind the grape-spirit added to wine to make it port.

Also look for Vinho Verde, a Portuguese “green wine.” Where port has more alcohol than regular wine, Vinho Verde has less.

Stay along the river for a local meal but bring cash; many restaurants don’t take credit cards. We learned this one the hard way.

EAT Portugal is famous for its Pasteis (or Pastel) de Nata, an egg custard tart with an origin that involves monks, as all good origin stories do.

Though the treat is ubiquitous and found in every café in the country, you won’t find it almost anywhere else. The other dish that feels like a national treasure is anything made from cod, usually salted cod, or bacalhau. The north Atlantic fish is not local, so it takes a history lesson to understand why it’s on every menu. When the Brits took a liking to port in the 1500s, they began trading cod for barrels of wine. The pervasive presence of this bland fish says a lot about how much the English enjoyed the drink. Bacalhau is so ingrained in the Portuguese culture that it’s the main celebrational meal at Christmas. You’ll find it on every menu in every form you can imagine; try the popular bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (baked with potatoes, onions, boiled egg and olives).

Hitting the beach at Praia da Ribeira in Cascais

The stunning view of fairytale-like Sintra

GETTING THERE Sintra is a quick fortyminute train ride from the center of Lisbon and trains leave every half hour.

Or come directly from Porto by train or car, travel time is about three hours.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ©SEAN PAVONE/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CONTRIBUTED; @ALEXANDRE ROTENBERG/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CONTRIBUTED

STOP 2 /

Sintra

This tiny mountain village has hosted royalty and aristocrats escaping the Lisbon heat for centuries. The pine covered forests wind up the granite mountains and catch the salty breeze from the nearby ocean. Though it’s often thought of as a day trip from Lisbon, Sintra is a destination in its own right. The poet Lord Byron spent much of his youth in Sintra, and his description of the area as a “glorious Eden” is still accurate.

A little sand and surf for Kim-Marie

GETTING AROUND A day in Sintra can be an enchanting escape or a miserable slog of entrance lines to the many palaces and estates. Either stay overnight at one of the stately resorts like the Tivoli Palacio (around $300 per night) or book a proper VIP tour.

Scratch that, even if you stay overnight, book the tour; lines are for suckers. There are countless tour options available, but Flamingo Experiences is the only one that will zip you around Sintra in a vintage UMM Jeep (a seriously funky 4X4 built in Portugal that’s no longer in production). The guides are natives and have fabulous stories about the region.

Flamingo offers two VIP tour options.

The Cultural Tour includes front-of-line access and a private guide at both Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. The Safari (our favorite) includes front-of-line access to Quinta da Regaleira only, a local lunch, an off-road ride to the coastline to find secret spots and visit beaches (Praia da Adraga and Azenhas do Mar depending on the day). The tour ends with a photo shoot at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe, and a drop off at Cascais, the

upscale seaside town (think Nice without tiny dogs).

The tour is only $55 per person or book a private tour, $320 for up to five people, and choose which palace (or palaces) you want to explore. flamingoexperiences .com

WHERE TO VISIT Pick a palace, any palace; they’re all amazing examples of romantic architecture.

They all have cafés that serve wine, an important feature.

Quinta da Regaleira is a favorite, though it was never a palace.

The sprawling mansion and surrounding gardens were built in the early twentieth century by an eccentric millionaire. There are underground grottos, hidden walkways, Rapunzelesque turrets and, most strikingly, an eighty-eight-foot deep “Initiation Well.” What the well was used for nobody knows, but you can circle down the nine platforms of the stairway thought to represent Dante’s nine circles of hell.

The well and many of the buildings around the estate have symbolism tied to the Knights Templar and the Freemasons.

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DRINK The area’s most typical tipple is ginjinha, a sweet, cherry-based liqueur sold in shots.

Our favorite was served in a chocolate cup filled with the sweet drink. It tastes a little like cough syrup and a Hershey bar, but oddly pretty good.

EAT Try any one of the fabulous local mom-and-pop restaurants. The goose barnacles, called precebes are a must. Much like truffles, these sea treasures can only be harvested, never cultivated. Divers risk their lives gathering these delicacies that fetch around $50 per pound.

They’re impossible to transport, so when you find them on a menu you need to order them. What they lack in beauty (they really do look like the crust gathered on the bottom of a boat), they make up for in extraordinary taste— a tiny salty cross between a lobster and a clam.

DON’T MISS Sintra is perched above the coastline.

All of the beaches are a part of the SintraCascais National Park and range from hidden coves to vast expanses of sand.

Closest to the main square of Cascais is the small Praia da Ribeira, also known as Fisherman’s Beach. Watch the the boats come and go as you lie on the sand. Larger beaches like Conceição and Praia da Duquesa are just up the coast, and it’s easier to find somewhere to lay your towel, though weekends can be packed with Lisbonites escaping the city for some sun and sand.

MISS Did we mention to avoid the lines?

Once you get past the looks, you’ll be glad you ordered precebes.

go

THE SWEET SPOT TAKING MEASURE OF INFINITI’S NEW QX50

by chris hodenfield

the snowdrifts. Price for a wellequipped version undercuts much of the European competition.

The revolutionary engine, being a “variable compression” turbo, provides a pleasant thrust.

All I noticed was that it had pep enough for frisky moves on the Fairfield County back roads and returned acceptable fuel mileage.

Vehicle dashboards these days go all over the place, and any serious shopper needs to spend time working the controls of the QX50 to see if it fits their sensibilities. Adapting to the Infiniti’s dash came quickly for

The exterior lines are also refreshingly modern without any silly grills. This vehicle looks like it’s going somewhere. And it will likely hold its looks for a long time.

Infiniti also sells a more compact model, the spritely QX30, and bigger, beefier brothers, the QX60 and QX80. But our tester had plenty of hauling space and a refined poise and balance. While a basic version of the QX50 with front-wheel-drive can be had in the mid-30s, the luxe version with all wheel drive is the one to get. The drive system was utterly unobtrusive and will navigate

fairfieldlivingmag.com

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me. But those discrete buttons won’t be handled by anyone wearing heavy work gloves.

Still, the QX50 had a dashing sense about it with just enough luxury to feel good and plenty of room in back for all the dogs.

It’s well worth a look.

STATS INFINITI QX50 Base price: $41,000 (luxe model) Drivetrain: 268-hp, 2.0-liter four AWD EPA mileage ratings: 24/31 mpg

CONTRIBUTED

T

he car market will take care of your primal needs.

There are those solemn, portentous SUVs that make you feel regal. And there are the shifty, ultra-sporty crossovers that will positively shred your driver’s license. Then there are the few that hit the sweet spot exactly.

Infiniti’s newly designed QX50 is such a beauty.

For one, the QX50 provides superb visibility. In an age of cocoon-like interiors, you get a feeling of light and space. The materials are impressive and the passenger space plentiful.

people&PLACES by joey macari

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARILYN ROOS / BIG PICTURE 1

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FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION / Fairfield County Giving Day

Give Way

T 7

he sixth annual Fairfield County Giving Day raised $1,719,686 from 11,742 donors across 415 nonprofits in just twenty-four hours. The event, powered by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, brought dozens of supporters to The Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport to raise funds in twenty-four hours online for participating organizations across multiple towns.

The nonprofits covered several areas of interest, including the arts, human services, environmental causes, mental wellness and women issues. Guests enjoyed drinks and light bites on the main stage, cheered the presentation of prizes and mingled with sponsors.

Curtain Call in Stamford was the leading donor for the sixth straight year. Moffly Media was Giving Day’s premier regional magazine sponsor. »

1 Carol Heller, Juanita James, Stamford Mayor David Martin, Doreen Madden, Senator Tony Hwang, Bill Tommins, Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Gamin and Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal 2 Brenda Schoolfield, Elancy Cromwell, Robie Spector, Carolyn Vermont 3 Brynne Bartiromo, Jonathan Moffly, Beth DeMarte and Rebecca Mandell 4 Bill Tommins with members of Fairfield Center Stage 5 Kevin Begley 6 RYASAP Exec. Director Marc Donald and Kristy Jelenik 7 Doran Wright, John Heyder 8 Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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Rooms with a View 2019

Thursday, November 7th - Sunday, November 10th Join Us for Our 25th Year Featuring 12 Designer Vignettes plus over 30 Specialty Vendors & Artists in “The Shops at RWAV” and . . . Introducing “The Hadley,” a Pop-up Café For tickets and event details visit www.roomswithaview.org Southport Congregational Church, 524 Pequot Avenue, Southport, CT

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE LAUTERBORN

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER / Annual Gala 1 Donna Waltrip, Sam and Missy Palmisano, Fleur and William Rueckert 2 Jeff Taylor, Justin Thomas, Susan Bonner and Larry Erdmann, Natalie and Jim Burtson 3 Mike and Giulia Tetreau, Leslie Byelas and Ellen Lubell, Sylvia and Alan Neigher 4 David McGrath and Dawn Kreitler 5 Hobart Kreitler, Tom Kreitler, Melanie Smith, Guy Hatfield 6 The Event Committee 7 Deborah Webb, Rosalina Thomas, Ariane Mermod 8 Sulu Grant and John Crocco

Rise Up

T

he theme at the season kick-off party for the Fairfield Museum & History Center was “Up, Up and Away.” The gala was held outdoors on the Museum Commons. Following the cocktail hour, guests gathered under a huge white tent for dinner and entertainment. The elegant farm-totable dishes were prepared by Chef Tim LaBant, who owns The Schoolhouse at Cannondale in Wilton; specialty cocktails and wine were provided courtesy of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Josh Cellars; and jazz musician Chris Coogan and performances by actors with Fairfield Center Stage delighted the audience. The event supports the museum’s year-round programs and services. Moffly Media was proud to serve as the exclusive media sponsor. F NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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02.27.20

24 HOURS TO GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE FEBRUARY 27, 2020 Be part of our region’s Biggest philanthropic event of the year – fairfield county’s giving day Powered by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, this dynamic 24-hour fundraising event unites our community — all 23 towns and cities — around local causes and nonprofit organizations that are closest to your hearts. And with your help, we’re set to break records in giving in 2020!

LEARN & GIVE: FCGIVES.ORG GIVING DAY IMPACT SINCE 2014

OVER 1,200 NONPROFITS HAVE BENEFITTED

OVER $7.6 MILLION RAISED

OVER 79,000 DONATIONS

thank you to our media partner moffly media for their generosity.

KATHERINE MACKEY PRATT AND CLARENCE JOSEPH THEOBALD IV

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TAYLOR LENCI PHOTOGRAPHY

K

atherine Pratt and Clarence Theobald IV were each off to the races in Los Angeles for the 2013 Breeders Cup World Championship when something more exciting than magnificent thoroughbreds galloped into their lives: each other. The two, whose lives were both intertwined with horses, met at the event kick-off party beneath the glow of twinkling purple lights strung among the trees. It was love at first sight. While once again attending the annual favorite Breeders Cup World Championship Kick-off party, “Jay” proposed to Kate beside the ocean. They were surrounded by family and friends. The couple was married at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield. A lively reception immediately followed at the bride’s childhood home in Greenfield Hill.

Kate is the daughter of Dawn and Bradford Pratt of Fairfield. She graduated from Miami University with a bachelor of arts degree in English and currently works as a director of marketing partnerships at Madison Square Garden Company. She was on the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 for sports. Jay is the son of Victoria and Clarence III (Bud) of Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts with honors degrees in political science and marketing before earning an MBA from the University of Louisville.

He currently works as Head of America’s Sales for Signal AI and is also a cofounder of the Bluegrass Bowtie Company.

The couple honeymooned in the South of France before returning home to New York City. —Joey Macari »

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1 Happy family 2 The gown 3 Bridal party 4 Flower girls and ring bearer 5 Beautiful blues 6 Dancing until dawn 7 Sparkling celebration NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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CHRISTA ELIZABETH BEIRIGER AND BRET JAMES CORRIGAN

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1 An impromptu dip kiss 2 The couple exchanged wedding vows 3 A touch of silver 4 The bride’s lovely blush-colored bouquet 5 The newly united Beiriger and Corrigan families 6 Friends and family danced the night away in celebration. fairfieldlivingmag.com

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TODD FRANCE PHOTOGRAPHY

S

ummer winds prevailed in Montauk one warm and sunny day as fate wafted in, uniting Bret James Corrigan and Christa Elizabeth Beiriger.

Their paths aligned once again over Labor Day weekend 2015. Bret invited a few of Christa’s friends to a gathering at the Gurney’s Montauk Resort with hopes of seeing her again. Lo and behold, Christa had joined her friends and the bond was fused. After dating for two years, the couple vacationed at Gurney’s Montauk Resort over Memorial Day weekend. Christa thought they were meeting friends for dinner, but Bret had much more in mind. Upon arrival, he escorted Christa to a balcony with breathtaking views of the ocean and got down on bended knee. Christa accepted and was so overcome with emotion that Bret had to remind her to put the ring on her finger. The couple was married on a beautiful day before family and close friends at the Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, New York. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Sarah Margaret. Both Christa and Bret erred the same line in their vows, giving their guests a good laugh. The ceremony too was held at the vineyard and was filled with “great food, great wine and an amazing band. The dance floor was full the whole night with guests singing and dancing” the night away.

Christa is the daughter of Jeanmarie and Mark Beiriger of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor of arts degree in marketing in 2010. She currently works as an office manager for Senvest Management in New York City. Bret is the son of Lisa and Bruce Corrigan of Fairfield. He graduated from Boston College with a bachelor of arts degree in economics in 2008. He currently works as a trader for Nomura Securities in New York City. The couple honeymooned in New Zealand and Bora Bora before returning home to New York City. —Kendra Wingate F

celebrat ing

10

years

awards

we give this celebration a TEN! SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR 2019 SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR LEVEL 1

PRESENTING SPONSORS LEVEL 2

PRESENTING SPONSOR LEVEL 3

GRAND PRIZE SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE AWARD SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE RECEPTION SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE CHARCUTERIE SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE WATER SPONSOR

fınance fıx

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

WHAT-IF MONEY

THINKING BEYOND STOCKS, BONDS AND MUTUAL FUNDS IN A FINANCIAL PLAN

I

f there’s one thing that a championship quarterback knows, it’s that it takes more than one player to carry the load.

And when it comes to building wealth, the same holds true for investment vehicles.

Peter Graham Jr. led the University of Notre Dame to a national football championship in 1988, then worked on Wall Street for twenty-five years, all the while ignoring requests from his dad to join Navesink Wealth Management, the financial advisory business that his father founded. At home in Darien, the younger Graham set up endowments for local nonprofit groups (he helped raise close to $10 million for the Darien Athletic Foundation), leading to hundreds of meetings with prospective donors. In the process, he discovered this: “In the area we live in, many people have the impression that we are sophisticated investors. Maybe a little ego comes into play—you have the fancy car and the big house. Maybe you’re afraid to ask questions.”

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THE BACKDOOR ROTH OPTION FOR HIGH-INCOME EARNERS

It’s great to be able to invest your before-tax money into a 401(k), and to let your returns compound tax-free until you take them out, but there’s a limit to how much you can stash in there. A Roth IRA lets you contribute your after-tax money into a retirement account, where your investments grow tax-free without a minimum distribution requirement. If, like many earners in lower Fairfield County, though, you earn too much to invest in a Roth IRA (more than $203,000 for a couple filing jointly), the Grahams suggest exploring a backdoor Roth, in which you contribute to an IRA, then in short order convert it to a Roth. There are some important caveats, so be sure to talk about the details with your financial adviser.

CONTRIBUTED

Peter Graham Sr. and Jr.

lifestyle at least for the short-term if there’s a catastrophe. A milliondollar policy for a twenty-year term might cost a healthy fortyyear-old about $1,000 a year.

Consider a nonqualified annuity.

Annuities get a bad rap, because historically they’ve come attached with high and hidden fees. But greater transparency has led to more competitive products. If you’ve maxed out on your 401(k) contributions and you’re looking for a way to invest cash in excess of those limits, a nonqualified annuity (which is funded with after-tax dollars) allows your nest egg to grow tax-deferred. Ask your adviser to explain the fees and commissions.

Buy and hold real estate.

Where else can you secure a $500,000 investment, for example, using $100,000 down? The investment can generate rental income or long-term appreciation.

“I had a client who bought a house for rental for every child born, with the intention of selling the house when each child goes to college,” Peter Sr. says. “It’s a great avenue to appreciate money.”

Explore a franchise.

Lots of folks around here are buying into franchises, reports Peter Jr. One client opened Pilates studios, another opened car washes. Says Peter Sr., “These individuals are looking for nonpassive investments,” because they are still in their earningpower prime. F

Says his dad, “So many people are moving forward making all that money—maybe they’re fixated on whether or not they are beating the S&P or the Dow— but there is a lack of planning for other things, like insurance, taxes, legal documents. We work with the what-ifs.”

Father and son joined forces in 2015. Together they’ve discovered that while many folks here fund their 401(k)s and their 529 college plans with stocks, bonds and mutual funds, they miss the big picture. Asset allocation goes beyond figuring out which stocks and bonds to put in which basket, the elder Graham says. “We do a financial plan based on where they want to be and how to get there.

Then we do an asset allocation.”

Here’s what they suggest: Start early.

Stop procrastinating. A few years’ delay in investing can mean a sixfigure difference down the road.

A firm like Navesink can manage your assets for a fee, or, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, provide a financial checkup and plan that costs about $2,500 (a reasonable outlay, considering the consequences).

Buy term life insurance.

The Grahams were working with the young parents of two little girls when the father developed colon cancer and died.

“When you lose that income, it’s devastating,” says Peter Sr. Make sure you have a hedge—in this case, a term-life insurance policy—that can support your

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE NORMA PFRIEM BREAST CENTER

40,000 Women served

and counting ...

10,000+

Increased from one location to three locations

WOMEN ANNUALLY

received info about prevention through health fairs and innovative outreach programs, including wellness evenings hosted at Norma Pfreim Breast Center

Grew from a

staff of THREE to SIXTEEN Continued to support

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Became TWO of only 500 sites in the US to be accredited by the national accreditation program for breast centers

Educated 3,500 girls in our schools and summer camp programs, annually (203) 255-5300 www.bridgeporthospital.org/services/breast-cancer.aspx

meet our 2019 light a fire honorees

TOGETHER WE RISE Their causes are varied, their goals are not—change lives and leave your corner of the world better than when you found it by jill johnson | phot o gr aphs by mel ani lust giovanna miller

A

s the year comes to a close and we reflect on the ups and downs in our lives, we here at Moffly Media would like to take a moment to celebrate the people and organizations that make it their mission to bring others up. Year after year our Light a Fire honorees prove that the desire to help others burns brightly.

The class of 2019 continues the tradition: They engage kids with disabilities through animals; empower teenage girls; fund scholarships and mentor students; provide supplies to those wounded in combat; spend Sundays teaching peers coding; help immigrants integrate into the community; connect those in poverty with businesses that can guide them; give those with mental health issues a safe haven. One of these organizations touches 134 million lives each year. Another gives every one of its 32,000 employees two days off annually for volunteering.

We have also partnered with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, an organization that promotes philanthropy as a means to create lasting change. We invited FCCF to highlight two groups that are closing the opportunity gap for the underserved of Fairfield County. This year’s honorees, Connect-Us and Building One Community, will each receive a $2,500 grant from FCCF. Our other honorees were chosen through nominations submitted by readers who were touched by their fortitude and compassion—as we know you will be as well. » greenwichmag.com

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a. reynolds gord on

reed ex h ibition s, yancy we inrich, c o o

catalina horak

purab angreji

pam lewis

michael parker

tracy mchale stuart

sheri west

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dr. nol an zeide & dr. steven zeide

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

a. reynolds gordon

organizations: Myron L. and Claire B. Gordon Foundation, Princeton, Yale, the Fugees (an immigrant soccer team), among numerous others

inspiration “My father founded our family’s foundation, so part of my inspiration is simply continuing in his footsteps,” says Renn Gordon, an Easton resident. “Part of it is that I consider myself very lucky. I was born from bright parents and I was able to go to the very best schools from grade school through law school.” The foundation’s focus is education, and Gordon, who attended Princeton and Yale Law School, actually funds half of the scholarship donations himself.

Mary Kay Frost, V.P. of Scholarships for the High School Scholarship Foundation of Fairfield, applauds Gordon’s generosity, humility and dedication to helping students “with substantial financial need attend college. Mr. Gordon shares with our graduating seniors the rules for a successful life that he inherited from his father—namely, work hard, be kind and do a good deed each day.”

courage into action The Myron L. and Claire B. Gordon Foundation has donated over $500,000 to Fairfield, Bridgeport and Easton schools. Gordon credits his father with funding the foundation, but he has added to the fund for the past decade and his commitment goes beyond finances. “He shines light through the interest he exhibits in the students and the advice he so willingly gives,” says Frost. “He meets with the proposed recipients, asks them about their interests and their goals, makes a connection with them and then offers advice that will be helpful in their individual situations.

He has attended every award ceremony at both Fairfield Warde and Fairfield Ludlowe.” fairfieldlivingmag.com

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In addition, Renn and Janet, his bride of twenty-five years, have been mentors for Princeton students interning in Connecticut, through Project 55, a Princeton class of ’55 project. Gordon has donated to Princeton annually for sixtyfour straight years and to Yale Law School for sixty-one years. The Gordons also have established a charitable remainder trust. “Upon our death, the money is Princeton’s, to be used for a series of lectures on the Rule of Law,” explains Gordon.

Always humble, he’s quiet about the fact that the remainder trust reaches seven figures.

Gordon sat on the Board of Directors of Park City Hospital in Bridgeport for over twenty years, and enjoyed being a Junior Achievement advisor in Bridgeport in the past. “I also had fun playing Santa Claus at Mercy Learning Center and handing out gifts to the poor at Christmas parties,” he says.

Gordon is active in the Democratic Town Committee in Easton and is a recipient of their Neary Award for community service. He has served on both the Pension and Benefits Committee and the Tax Relief for the Aging Committee for two decades.

hopes & dreams Grateful for the educational doors that have opened to him in his life, Gordon says, “I would love for other people to have the same opportunities I’ve had—as much and as many as possible.”

OUTSTANDING LEADER

giovanna miller organizations: American Red Cross, Greenwich United Way, YWCA, Stanwich School, Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich Hospital, Breast Cancer Alliance, Junior League of Greenwich

inspiration “Inspiration came very early on,” says Greenwich resident Giovanna Miller. “My parents were both immigrants. They worked very hard. My grandmother always said no matter what you have, you have the capacity to give something. I was a Girl Scout. I volunteered at food banks. I learned that no matter what our financial responsibilities are, we have the responsibility to give back, and that’s what I try to teach my kids.” Miller put her career on hold to raise her boys and expected to return to work. “I started volunteering and was so moved, I never looked back,” she says. Once she learned the scope of the work of the Red Cross and that of every dollar, ninety-one cents goes to programs and services, she was hooked.

courage into action “Giovanna is the current Board Chair of the Metro NY North Chapter of the American Red Cross. Under her leadership over the past six years, she has grown the size of the board to forty members. It is now considered one of the most active and engaged American Red Cross boards in the country,” says Mary Young, CEO of the Metro NY North Chapter. “She also motivates a 700-plus volunteer workforce with her enthusiasm.

Giovanna leads by example—you can often see her donating blood, installing free smoke alarms, participating in CPR training, compiling medevac bags for wounded military members at

Walter Reed Medical Center, writing Holiday Mail for Heroes cards at Greenwich Hospital, or encouraging others to join our mission.”

Miller says: “It’s easy to write a check, and I’m always happy to do that; but what is most rewarding is being on the ground, helping the actual wounded and their families, walking the halls at Kids in Crisis or the YWCA, doing smoke alarm installations. We knock on doors in lower income housing, where often residents don’t have smoke alarms. That $10 alarm really may save lives.”

Miller reflects on her first visit to Walter Reed Medical Center: “It was so eye-opening seeing the patients there on crutches and in wheelchairs. We now put together medevac bags for them: basic hygiene items, snacks, water, blankets. We are Skyping with installations overseas to see what supplies we can send. We are constantly taking on these projects that no other board in the U.S. has taken on. The enthusiasm and passion among our board is infectious.”

hopes & dreams “I hope that more people get involved. Think of something you are passionate about. You are never too busy. In every area, there are people who have a need and don’t have the opportunities many of us have.

I hope my kids will follow in my footsteps, and it will continue for generations and generations.” »

BEST FRIENDS TO ANIMALS

dr. nolan zeide & dr. steven zeide

organizations: Stamford Animal Shelter Alliance, Project Precious, Save a Lab, Stamford Regional Agriscience & Technology Center, Stamford Dog Park (founder), Stamford Arboretum, St. Paul’s Day School, AVID Program and more

inspiration “It starts with the kids,” says Dr. Steven Zeide, who runs Bull’s Head Pet Hospital in Stamford with his son, Dr. Nolan Zeide.

“Pets and kids are so similar.

They’re honest, sincere and, in their own way, extremely appreciative. I’ve had a few people guide me along the way, and I feel we are on this earth to help, whether two-legged or four-legged creatures.”

The Zeides enjoy educating young people about pets and career options in veterinary medicine and animal science.

“Encouraging them to reach for their dreams is rewarding.

In some cases, kids don’t have direction, and we help them get back on track,” explains Steve. “I think our enthusiasm is contagious; we love what we do!”

Nolan adds, “When I was five or six, my dad would take my brother, me and our dogs to a senior home. This is what my dad had us doing when we were little kids. It has been a lifestyle for him and for us our entire lives.” Nolan was born and raised in Stamford. “I love this city and our schools,” he says. “I want to give back to the community that gives to me.”

courage into action For the forty years that Bull’s Head Pet Hospital has been open, the Zeides have spread kindness throughout the community: caring for the schools’ pets, teaching students of all ages about animals, speaking at events, promoting the dog park, improving the animal shelter. The Zeides also

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extend a 50 percent discount to nonprofit rescue organizations and mentor student volunteers.

“I’ll brag that five out of five [students] we’ve written recommendations for have gotten into vet school,” says Steve.

The heartwarming anecdotes are abundant. “I remember going to Stillmeadows School and speaking to some kids who had significant disabilities,” says Steve. “A month later I was at a cancer walk with my dog, and this girl in a wheelchair who could not speak indicated she recognized me and the dog. I had a similar experience at the Jewish Center, with a kid in the pool with an aide. When they remember you and they smile, you know you’ve touched them. It’s nice to feel you have made a mark.”

Nolan recounts coming full circle at an Earth Day Festival: “I spoke to 300 kids in the auditorium at Cloonan Middle School; I used to sit in those seats!”

hopes & dreams Nolan: “I want to inspire my kids so they inspire others.

I want them to take it to another level in spreading love and positivity.”

Steve: “For me, the future is now! It’s also important to look back, improve on who I am and the role our family plays in making this city a better place. I hope to continue helping pets and teaching people how to care for them.”

BEST FRIEND TO GIRLS

organization: LiveGirl

sheri west inspiration “I grew up in a small town in Michigan, and giving back was something we always did as a family,” says New Canaan resident Sheri West. “Working in corporate finance at GE, I had great success, but I also encountered obstacles that are unique to women. When I had kids, I began thinking more about this issue. About six years ago, we hosted a middle school girl through Fresh Air Fund. She was the same age as our middle child, and it really struck us that she had all the smarts our daughter has but none of the access to opportunities or mentors. At that moment, we sat down as a family and discussed starting LiveGirl.”

courage into action Since founding LiveGirl in 2014, West says she “spends every moment, even in my dreams, thinking about how to close the female leadership gap and how to achieve gender parity.”

In 2018, LiveGirl enrolled over 1,200 girls in its free leadership and mentoring programs in Bridgeport, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Waterbury, Westport and Wilton. This year, LiveGirl partnered with the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs to expand its middle school program statewide, and last summer 200 girls attended LiveGirl’s annual summer camp in New Canaan, with transportation provided from as far away as Waterbury.

Kate Reeves, LiveGirl Youth Advisory Board president and recent high school graduate, comments: “LiveGirl taught me to advocate for myself. For many of NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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my friends, LiveGirl allowed them to aim for goals or roles they had never pictured themselves in. For many middle-schoolers, LiveGirl is a community of kindness and support in a time when girls are so often taught to judge and compete. Sheri has mastered the art of empowering girls to empower each other.

This work is more vital than ever. Middle school girls face quickly decreasing rates of selfconfidence, which often continue into adulthood, manifesting in workforce trends where women are less likely to ask for a raise or less likely to speak highly of themselves in interviews. Sheri has identified this crisis and created an organization that teaches girls how to support each other, shows them the success they can achieve, and inspires them to advocate for themselves and one another.”

West is now established as an expert in girls’ leadership.

“It’s really rewarding to have organizations coming to us and asking us to run workshops,” she says, adding, “What we do resonates with parents now more than ever. The world we live in is challenging for girls, especially girls of color. We need to build up girls’ self-esteem and social and emotional intelligence.” She has a practical outlook regarding social media and the ills it feeds: “Teens aren’t going to give it up, so we have to teach them how to curate a positive experience.”

hopes & dreams “I have many: I dream of gender parity, of a female president, of more young women having the confidence to raise their hands and to step up into leadership positions.” »

inspiration “I believe it’s really important to give back,” says Michael Parker of Greenwich. “I started with Laurel House because I wanted to help people who were completely underserved. The stigma around mental health made it unpopular.

I liked that we were working with people who had no champions.”

Parker had no relatives plagued by mental illness but was aware of the scope of the problem.

“Seventy to eighty percent of the homeless were suffering from mental illness,” he explains.

OUTSTANDING HEALTH ADVOCATE

michael parker organizations: Laurel House, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, Americares, Baker Institute at Cornell University

courage into action “It’s rewarding making a difference at a hands-on level, fairfieldlivingmag.com

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which is what Laurel House does,” says Parker, who became involved when he joined its board in 1994. “I’m very proud of the progress we’ve made, especially over the last ten years.”

Linda Autore, Laurel House president and CEO, says: “During its thirty-five-year history, Laurel House has been served by many talented board directors, but none have devoted more time or energy or been more dedicated to mental health recovery than Michael. He has served an unprecedented two terms as chairman of the board. In his early years, Michael played a key role in the Capital Campaign Committee, which raised the funds for Laurel House to purchase the building it currently occupies in Stamford.

During his second term, he led a strategic planning process and search for a president and CEO. In 2014 Michael participated in the planning of two key initiatives: the Thinking Well program, addressing cognitive impairment associated with mental illness, and rtor.org, a website for those seeking help for mental health.”

Parker has overseen Laurel House’s transition to an organization with metrics showing outcomes. “We maximize services across a much broader age range than before.

Mental illness is now manifesting younger, unfortunately,” he says.

Over the decades with Laurel House, Parker’s children have taken notice. “They understand how good it feels to give back.

That legacy is the tremendous gift of this whole process.”

hopes & dreams “That Laurel House will continue to do what it’s doing and evolve to meet needs. I’ll continue to support Americares—I love the mission and that it’s local. We all need to look for the greater good. There’s nothing better than giving back.”

MOST DEDICATED BOARD MEMBER

tracy mchale stuart organization: Save the Children

inspiration “I’ve always felt a deep commitment to helping people, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” says Tracy McHale Stuart of Fairfield, who is a member of the Board of Trustees at Save the Children.

“Save the Children focuses on the most vulnerable populations in the world and delivers amazing work on a huge, huge scale. I’ve gone to see its work in several locations and each time I’m more impressed by the commitment and talent of its people. I’m very business oriented, and these people could work wherever they want and they choose to commit their time to this organization. It’s really humbling.”

Stuart, who is managing partner and CEO at New York City-based investment firm Corbin Capital Partners, supports more than a dozen local charities and has gotten her children involved in giving back through Southport Congregational Church. But despite running a business and having young kids, she’s eager to contribute on a larger scale.

“Save the Children is going to places where people are in desperate situations and dire conditions, and they are making an incredible impact. They get involved in the communities and just make things happen.”

courage into action Stuart was making things happen at Save the Children long before joining the board last February.

“For three years Tracy cochaired the Illumination Gala, our biggest

fundraiser of the year,” says Ann Marie Miles, senior director of Individual Philanthropy. “She has visited our programs around the world and taken the time to understand and support our mission to reach every last child.”

Save the Children has touched the lives of 134 million children in 120 countries this year alone.

“That’s a mind-boggling number,” notes Stuart, who took her family to Indonesia to see the work Save the Children is doing there. “Save the Children is so important to their community. It was fantastic to have our kids get a sense of what’s happening around the world outside their bubble.”

hopes & dreams “I’m on several committees, diving headfirst into the board, and going out to see the programs as much as I can. There is a lot going on at the organization regarding effectiveness: how to take the best ideas and best practices from any given location and apply them and scale up.

The businessperson in me is interested in how to operate more effectively and more efficiently over time.

But for now I have to earn my stripes.” »

high school at Greenwich’s India Cultural Center (ICC).

Perhaps Angreji’s pressing urge to give back developed in Scouts. “I started scouting in kindergarten,” he says, now an Eagle Scout. As a child of immigrants from India and a new kid in town, Angreji found it difficult to meet kids. “Scouting was a great way to get involved in the community, and it blossomed into meeting a group of people who were engaged and had a shared goal of creating a better future for people around us.”

courage into action

inspiration “When I was younger, I thought a lot about how I could amplify the impact I have on the world,” says Purab Angreji. “It was kind of like a midlife crisis but in eighth grade. How do I benefit others rather than living in a bubble?”

When his sister asked for help with her Girl Scouts Gold Award, Angreji started brainstorming.

“I gave her ideas on how to benefit the community longterm,” he explains. “With the current global state, a lot of professions will become our future, and the most important is technology. Tech coding classes for youth would help the next generation be prosperous.” The result was a coding curriculum he created and taught throughout

MOST DEDICATED TEEN

purab angreji

organizations: India Cultural Center, Scouts (Eagle Scout), Wilton High School Model Congress, WHS Debate Team, WHS International Club, WHS Band

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“Since he was a freshman, Purab traveled from Wilton to Greenwich twenty-four Sunday mornings a year to teach coding to grade-school students at ICC,” says Margie French, executive director. “Purab’s impact on ICC and on his students has been enormous,” she continues. “He is motivated to do good and do well. He is a role model to ICC children and admired by parents.”

Angreji recalls a highlight of teaching: “A group of kids decided to take what I was teaching them out of the context of making a game and think about how it could be applied in other fields, like medicine. That was rewarding, watching these kids who are just ten years old, applying what I was teaching them to better the world.”

hopes & dreams “I’m young still, so I tend to be quite optimistic,” says Angreji, who is a freshman at NYU’s Stern School, studying business and political economy.

“Business I think holds the most versatility for an individual to have the biggest impact.”

When he graduates, Angreji hopes to move up the corporate ladder in a larger firm so that he can implement programs for social good. “I’m interested in how to use business and capitalist benefits to directly benefit the social flow,” he says.

CORPORATE GOOD NEIGHBOR

organizations: Kids in Crisis, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Norwalk Mentor Program, Connecticut Food Bank, Homes for the Brave, Ronald McDonald House, Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Habitat for Humanity, Ludlow Senior Center

reed exhibitions inspiration “Giving back is very important to our company,” says Yancy Weinrich, COO of Reed Exhibitions. The 32,000 employees at the U.K.-based company, with North American headquarters in Norwalk, are given two paid days off each year for charity work. “We encourage volunteering, and this goes from the top down across all our business units,” says Weinrich.

In the past few years, Reed Exhibitions employees have started volunteering together— forming teams, choosing a project and working together.

“For example, building a house for Habitat for Humanity,” she explains. “They spend a day together and feel good about what they’ve accomplished. It really builds morale.”

courage into action

“Employees at Reed Exhibitions are some of Kids In Crisis’ most dedicated and passionate volunteers,” says Beth Jabick, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Kids in Crisis. “Many volunteer on their own time, in addition to using their RE Cares time [their paid days off for volunteering].”

Beyond helping at the shelter, a holiday gift drive and monthly pizza dinners for Lighthouse meetings (for LGBTQ youth), Reed Exhibitions’ parent company, RELX, has helped fund the Kids in Crisis Teen Talk Program through an annual grant.

Reed Exhibitions has raised more than $64,000 for Bridgeport Rescue Mission, and employees help distribute Thanksgiving food to the needy. During and after school, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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employees mentor children in Norwalk schools through the Norwalk Mentor Program.

Reed Exhibitions also donates to Connecticut Food Bank throughout the year; and employees did seven projects with the Food Bank in 2018 alone. They also volunteer to create, serve and share a dinner with the homeless veterans served by Homes for the Brave.

“Our company has a number of veterans on staff, and this project is very close to their hearts,” comments Weinrich.

Other partners include Ludlow Senior Center, where Reed volunteers host a Christmas party annually; Ronald McDonald House, where volunteers create healthy lunches and give their time to help with Trees of Hope, the annual fundraiser; and the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown, being built in honor of a first-grader killed at Sandy Hook in 2012.

hopes & dreams “We hope that even more employees will get involved in volunteering,” says Weinrich.

“We hope to broaden our partnerships and footprint in the community. We are also moving to a new location where we are focused on creating a company culture our employees want to tell their friends about. We want to be known as a place that really cares.” »

FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD q&a with executive director of connect-us

pam lewis

to twenty-five, come together to take responsibility for supporting the growth of other young people.

They watch a lot of documentaries to understand what’s going on in the world and become critical thinkers. They invite others to participate in our programs. Since 2014, over 2,400 young people and their families have been engaged with Connect-Us.

What’s the mission of Connect-Us?

We bring together suburban and urban neighbors to improve the quality of outcomes for young people living in communities of concentrated poverty.

How does your mission fit with Fairfield County Community Foundation’s values?

One of the programs FCCF supports is our Connect-Us Academy. The academy is for young people, ages sixteen to twenty-one, who want to cultivate skills and learn to work in a professional business setting.

For fourteen weeks students attend after-school workshops at companies throughout Fairfield County. It helps all involved—not just the kids—to better navigate this increasingly complex world. We have corporate partners in various fields: finance, law, marketing, energy, interior design, fashion design, health administration.

The graduates are placed in paid summer internships. We placed twenty-four interns last summer, working for $14 an hour. FCCF actually had two interns.

State officials complain that it’s hard to attract businesses to Connecticut. I’ve spoken up about working to impact the culture. Businesses should

What does the future hold for Connect-Us?

I’m excited about the growth of our business partnerships. I think we could place twice as many interns next year. We are finding ways to tap into resources to support the growth of our kids. We have twenty-five partners, including Bridgewater, which leads résumé writing workshops. JPMorgan Chase is coming up to lead workshops. We are getting traction, and I’m excited about that.

Words of Praise

invest in the kids of Bridgeport.

Millennials want to work for companies that are socially responsible. We are that bridge— between the kids and the community/businesses. Our goal is to continue to find ways to bring people together who don’t normally come together. There’s no reason Connecticut couldn’t

be a good model for the country, given the level of inequality that exists in Fairfield County.

What is your organization’s biggest accomplishment?

I think it’s our youth leadership team. The team meets every Tuesday, September through May. These young people, ages fifteen

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Jill Egan, event planner at Bridgewater Associates, comments: “Pam’s after-school program adds huge value to the underprivileged population.

Connect-Us teaches important social skills, gives academic resources and really captures the essence of what it is to develop young leaders for society.”

FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD q&a with executive director of building one community

catalina horak we understand that fear and we address it and work with local elected officials, our partners and the community at large to provide the stable environment that everyone needs, that kids need.

We are committed to advocacy and applying our knowledge to shape immigration policies. We are a new organization—we are only eight years old—so also making sure people know who we are, build our brand, and be the go-to place for area immigrants.

What is the mission of Building One Community?

To support local immigrants on their journey toward being successful members of the community—what we call their integration journey. Our goal is to advance successful integration of all immigrants and their families regardless of where they are on that journey.

Some have been here working for ten years, with a basic level of education, and they still are not speaking English. Others, from the Middle East for example, have been exposed to English and a higher level of education and learn English rapidly. Each has different needs on their path to becoming contributing members of the community.

Words of Praise

How does your mission fit with Fairfield County Community Foundation’s values?

Immigration is one of FCCF’s core issues. They are all about closing the opportunity gap, serving the community, making sure everyone has a fair chance.

It’s exactly what we do. Ethnic diversity and inclusion— 80 percent of our staff are people of color, so we represent the people we are serving. We are about equity and collaboration.

the solutions many times are at the local level. We are part of the local solution.

What is your organization’s biggest accomplishment?

Making sure that we stay true to our values and mission during a time of very rapid growth and that we continue to facilitate the programs based on real needs and not our perception.

Immigration is such a national issue but also a local issue, and

What does the future hold for Building One Community?

These are very challenging times for many of the people we serve.

It’s a time of uncertainty and fear, so we need to make sure that

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Robert Wells, program coordinator of MAV Foundation (an organization dedicated to eradicating hunger) comments, “Through its Workforce Development Program, B1C offers an underserved immigrant population a chance to participate in certificate-based training in culinary and catering, home health aide, and construction and landscaping at no cost. B1C offers English language learning instruction for all ages. True to its name, B1C collaborates with over fifty organizations to provide access to education, healthcare, childcare, legal advice and more.

These collaborations are vital for the holistic, wraparound services that B1C supplies to over 3,300 community members a year.” F

to the rescue The life-saving work of wildlife in crisis by joey macari | phot o gr aphy by mel ani lust

I

n Walt Disney stories, a wise English nanny sings “Feed the Birds,” princesses have trustworthy woodland friends, and a gentle elephant and a courageous mouse find a heartwarming friendship. Behind the children’s songs and whimsical characters lie parables about harsh dangers that real animals face. From poaching and hunting, parent-offspring abandonment, and even climate change, the life-threatening dilemmas of our favorite furry, feathered and scaly friends are all too real. Dara Reid—founder of Wildlife in Crisis (WIC), a nonprofit organization founded on animal preservation and rehabilitation—is helping to set wildlife welfare, and the misconceptions about it, in realistic terms. This organization is righting animal injustices, one paw, hoof and beak at a time.

oppposite page: Actor and philanthropist James Naughton—who has long supported the life-saving work of Wildlife in Crisis—holds an injured owl at the center.

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When I saw what Dara and Peter Reid have been doing for the past three decades—taking injured and orphaned wildlife into their home and healing and feeding them until they can be released—I realized what an act of charity really looks like.

—James Naughton

“When I founded WIC thirty years ago in 1988, I wanted to create a nurture center for wildlife and serve as a resource for people seeking help with injured and orphaned wildlife,” Dara Reid says. “I have always had a passion and empathy for animals. As I matured, I realized that local wildlife needed a voice and a sanctuary.”

Wildlife in Crisis was founded in Weston. Dara and her team of volunteers nurture injured and abandoned wildlife back to health and, hopefully, return them to their natural environment. And when their homes are threatened by urban development, pollution or natural disasters, WIC steps in to educate the community and its lawmakers on the severe consequences of proposed actions. “I am a firm believer in letting nature take its course, but there is nothing natural about being hit by a car, entangled in fishing line, poisoned by pesticides or wounded by a domestic cat. Our main focus now is on continuity, ensuring that Wildlife in Crisis will remain in perpetuity for future generations of people and wildlife.”

With the help of Dara, her husband, Peter, and countless others, the nearly thirty-year-old organization continues to share its mission across Fairfield County, which Dara says is facing a hotbed of critical challenges.

“The fabric of our environment is being frayed. New England loses 23,725 acres of forestland per year to development, and our small state of Connecticut alone loses 3,700 acres each year. Unless permanently protected by a land trust, all land will eventually be developed for profit.

This is especially true in areas like Fairfield County, where property values have skyrocketed over the past thirty years.” fairfieldlivingmag.com

56

HELPING BABY BIRDS For little ones who hoot, chirp or caw, WIC has plenty of guidelines to help.

If you find a baby bird on the ground, it may not be abandoned. Try to find a nearby nest or hang a woven basket filled with leaves on a branch. Place the bird inside, and the mother may come to feed her baby.

If you find a baby bird and no mother is in sight, you can try to incubate the baby bird in a makeshift nest, such as a small basket or bowl lined with toilet paper. Otherwise, try an aquarium lit by a forty-watt bulb that is twelve inches away from the patient. Feed the bird every half hour (usually a mixture of mynah bird pellets or dry dog food and water in an oatmeal consistency). The goal is to get the bird independent and able to feed and eliminate waste on its own.

Never feed it milk.

Also, you can touch it without worrying that the mother will reject it.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

57

Wildlife in Crisis accepts all species of native wild animals and cares for more than 5,000 each year. It prioritizes threatened and endangered species to ensure their survival and reintroduce them into the wild.

“Every animal is special in its own way and has his or her own story to tell.” —Dara Reid

fairfieldlivingmag.com

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HELPING MAMMALS When helping squirrels, deer, foxes, raccoons, coyotes and other mammals, wear gloves at all times. If the animal shows signs of dehydration, rabies or injury, consult an emergency veterinary professional and do not handle or touch the animal.

Mammals are unlike birds. A mother deer, for example, will abandon the fawn if touched by a human.

In most cases, a fawn is not truly abandoned unless there is a dead doe in the area. A mother will return usually within twenty-four hours.

Also, do not remove a fawn because of predators, such as coyotes and house pets. These are situations every fawn must encounter in the wild. If you have to coax a fawn out of an area or it has already been handled, use gloves, wipe the fawn off with a dirt-covered towel and return it to its origin.

Also, if you see a nocturnal animal during the daytime, it doesn’t always mean rabies. Odds are, there’s a reason and season for them to be out. As for rabies, not a single human death has resulted from exposure to a rabid raccoon. (The two or three deaths every year have been attributed to the bat or canine strain contracted overseas.)

She adds that the most important thing we can do for wildlife and ourselves is to protect natural habitats from development. “I believe every bit of remaining open space is worth protecting, and I urge everyone to become active participants in local land-use planning and protection.”

She encourages the community to listen and to act. To help spread the word, the Wildlife in Crisis team maintains a Facebook page, which has earned plenty of five-star reviews. Here, people in the community share their own conservation news as well as handling opossums, tending to abandoned fawns, and other wildlife-related stories. Every day, Dara doles out plenty of insights, from informing the public on anthropogenic (human causing) hazards, such as driving, to giving accurate advice on dealing with the wounded and forsaken of our area’s remaining open spaces.

“If you care about wildlife, get involved with your local land trust and become a land-preservation advocate in your town,” concludes Dara.

“And on a day-to-day basis, make wise choices, such as avoiding toxic pesticides and plastics, watch for wildlife when driving, keep cats indoors and supervise your dogs.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to support Wildlife in Crisis; more at wildlifeincrisis.org.

Dara and Peter Reid at Wildlife in Crisis’s woodsy sanctuary

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE

Non-profit 501 (C) (3)

FREE WINE TASTING & ART EXHIBIT BEFORE EACH SHOW!

11/23

3/1 WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD? DREW KLOTZ

kinetic sculpture 203 221 0563 drewklotz.com

4/26

Ownership Statement Fairfield Living Magazine U.S. Postal Service. Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Requester Publications Only). 1. Publication Title: Fairfield Living. 2. Publication No.: 012-002. 3. Filing Date: October 1, 2019. 4. Issue Frequency: 6 times.

5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 6. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $0.00 requires request documentation. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Jonathan Moffly, Publisher, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. Diane Sembrot, Editor, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. Amy Vischio, Managing Editor, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. 10. Owner: Moffly Media. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. For Completion by Nonprofit Organizations Authorized to Mail at Special Rates: Not applicable to Fairfield Living Magazine.

13. Publication Title: Fairfield Living. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September/ October 2019. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total Number of Copies (net press run): *8,791 **8,802; b(1). Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscription Stated on Form 3541: *815 **789; b(2). Paid/Requested In-County Subscriptions: *4,511 **4,370; b(3). Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: *320 **325; b(4). Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: *0 **0; c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), (4): *5,646 **5,484; d. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, Complimentary, and Other Free): d(1). Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: *0 **0; d(2).

In-County as Stated on Form 3541: *594 **583; d(3). Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS *0 **0; d(4). Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or Other Means): *1,922 **2,100; e.

Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), (4): *2,516 **2,693; f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): *8,162 **8,177; g. Copies Not Distributed: *629 **625; h. Total (Sum of 15f, 15g): *8,791 **8,802; i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c divided by 15f. times 100): *69.2 percent **67.1 percent. 17. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the November/December 2019 issue of this Publication. 18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on this form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties). Elena V. Moffly, Business Manager/Treasurer, October 1, 2019. *Average No. Copies Each Issue During Proceeding 12 Months. **Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date.

ALSO COMING UP

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THE GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIET Y PRESENTS

A N T I QUA R I U S

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

THE GREENWICH WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW

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Christ Church

December 7, 2019 | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm December 8, 2019 | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

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HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

Celebrating Honorary Design Chair Bronson Van Wyck

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Holiday Stroll

December 5 & 6

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advertisers index ART & ANTIQUES

Drew Klotz Kinetic Sculpture �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������60

AUTOMOTIVE

Land Rover Fairfield �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Cover 4

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Cummings & Lockwood LLC ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8

ENTERTAINMENT

Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Ridgefield Playhouse ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������60 Star 99.9/The Anna Raven Show ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������63 Westport Country Playhouse �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14

EVENTS

11th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Village �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������62 A-list Awards ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������39 Best of the Gold Coast Online Store �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������61 Fairfield County's Community Foundation Giving Day ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������36 Greenwich Historical Society Antiquarius �������������������������������������������������������������������������������62 Greenwich Restaurant Week ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19 Light a Fire 2019 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������29 Rooms With A View 2019 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 34

WEEKDAYS 5:30-10AM

FASHION

Mitchells ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2, 3

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING

55............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Cava........................................................................................................................................................ 1 Flipside Burgers & Bar �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17 Great Horse ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9 Harvest ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 Scena ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 South Bay ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1 Winvian Farm �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Cover 3

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopaedics ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7 Norma Pfriem Breast Center �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41 Nuvance Health ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Cover 2 Stamford Health ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7 Yale New Haven Health/Bridgeport Hospital ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������13 Yale New Haven Health/ Smilow Cancer Hospital �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������41

JEWELRY

Henry C. Reid ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5

NONPROFIT

Americares ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 The Elephant Sanctuary ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10

MISCELLANEOUS

Big Picture �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20 Westy Self Storage �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 FAIRFIELD LIVING

63

COUPLES COURT 7:40AM

calendar

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

by joey macari

Light the Way

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 Moffly Media’s twelfth annual Light a Fire event is making its return to the Westport Country Playhouse. This event celebrates individuals and organizations throughout Fairfield County who have shown selfless dedication and kindness to the community and its people. No introductions are necessary for actor James Naughton, who will graciously once again emcee. Tickets for the event start at $64; buy them online at lightafireawards.com.

SAT. 2 COMEDY

The twelfth annual Stand Up for Homes with Hope event will take place at the Quick Center for the Arts. Comedian Pete Holmes will be performing his stand up to support the Westport-based organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Fairfield County. For more info on how to be a sponsor and purchase tickets, visit hwhct.org.

SUN. 3 FOOD TALK

Jeff Gordinier, New York Times author of Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World, will be coming to the library to discuss his new book.

This event is free to the public and takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. For more info, visit pequotlibrary.org.

WED. 6 HISTORY DISCUSSION

The Quick Center for the Arts will host presidential biographer Jon Meacham,

writer of The Soul of America, in a special lecture called, “The Liberal Arts in a Global Culture: Gaining the Competitive Edge,” at 8 p.m. Tickets for Fairfield University students are $5, with general admission starting at $40. For tickets, go to quickcenter.fairfield.edu.

FRI. 8 GALA

Save the date for Greens Farms Academy’s annual Horizons Fall Gala to honor the extraordinary students that make up the Bridgeport-based education program dedicated to helping underserved teens. Local businesses and sponsors will be applauded at the event, which features a dinner and auction. For more info, visit horizonsgfa .org.

SAT. 9 LIVE MUSIC

The Klein will be holding the third-annual AntiDefamation League’s (ADL) Voices: A Show of Unity event. This year, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will light

up the stage with Paul Shaffer from Late Night with David Letterman hosting the evening. To purchase tickets, go to

DECEMBER

ADLVoices.org.

Put on your warmest jacket and mittens, hoist your little ones over your shoulder and watch the magic of the season ignite with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the Town Hall Green. Festivities begin at 5:55 p.m. with area schools and performance groups entertaining the crowd, while hot chocolate and glow-in-the-dark necklaces are provided by the Town Youth Council.

Don’t forget to catch Santa himself at 7 p.m. For more info, visit fairfieldct.org.

SAT. 23 – SUN. 24 SHOPPING

The Fairfield Museum and the Fairfield Chapter of the National Charity League welcomes locals to participate in the sixth annual Holiday Pop-Up Market. The event is a great opportunity to shop holiday gifts from local vendors and raise money for a good cause. For info and to get involved, visit fairfieldhistory.org.

SUN. 24 LIVE MUSIC

Alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs will be playing at the Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company. Starting at 8 p.m., the band—famous for hits like “These Are Days”—will perform for what is expected to be a sell-out crowd. Tickets to the show start at $65. To grab yours, visit fairfieldtheatre.org.

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FRI. 6 TREE LIGHTING

SUN. 8 PERFORMANCE

The Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport invites you to experience the splendor and joy of the holiday season with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday event, Cirque Musica presents Holiday Wishes.

This theatrical event combines electrifying acts of athleticism with a symphony orchestra to create a full-sensory

experience not-to-bemissed. Showtime is 2 p.m. For tickets, visit websterbankarena.com.

SAT. 14 FAMILY FUN

Fairfield University Art Museum will host a Family Day Jewelry-Making class from 1 to 4 p.m. in the museum’s Bellarmine Hall and Smart Classroom.

Family Day activities include arts and crafts and a child-friendly gallery tour designed for ages 4 to 10.

To register, visit fairfield. edu.

SAT. 14 – SUN. 15 SANTA

Santa’s making his rounds early in Fairfield, with a special visit to the Burr Homestead. During “A Visit to Santa’s House,” parents and their little ones can enjoy festive activities, including entertainment, arts-andcrafts, sweet treats, a train room and, of course, a photo with Santa. The gathering is sponsored by the Junior Women’s Club of Fairfield. For more info, go to jwcfairfield.com. F

MELANI LUST PHOTOGRAPHY

NOVEMBER

Heaven in ConneCtiCut Far from the madding crowd, in the Litchfield Hills, lies a quiet getaway. Set on 113 acres and bordering extensive woods and lakes, Winvian Farm was created to recharge and indulge. The five-star cuisine, the wines, the spa and the service are as unexpected as the experiences that one ultimately enjoys— and it’s just around the corner.

winvianfarm.com