When CHARLIE GREENE brought his family storytelling startup to Shark Tank, the pitch wasn,t just perfect it was personal.
Old Greenwich entrepreneur MIGUEL LEAL is shaking up grocery store shelves with a big mission and bold flavors.
Dillon Maltese KING SCHOOL
Calijah Joseph GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL
Dylan Ever GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY
Camdyn Nelson ST. LUKE ' S SCHOOL
Emma Sollenne ST. LUKE ' S SCHOOL
Charlotte Pastel GREENWICH ACADEMY
Dominique Alvarez RYE COUNTRY DAY
Steven Csak GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL
Matty Augustine BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
Natasha Arakal SACRED HEART GREENWICH
LOVE, LOSS AND LEGACY
From personal heartbreak to national television, tech entrepreneur Charlie Greene shares how a deeply personal mission landed him on Shark Tank. by beth cooney fitzpatrick
TEENS TO WATCH 2025
Passionate, purposeful and powered by big dreams—these teens are creating the kind of change we all need. by
jill johnson mann
BUZZ A slam dunk! Inside the allnew Cohen Eastern Civic Center
SHOP The autumn edit—musthave looks for fall, straight off the runway HOME Step up your decor with rich caramel tones and lustrous lacquers
GO Sun, sand and a $200 million makeover at The Boca Raton
DO Meet Theresa Plavoukos, the local beauty pro behind Fat Mermaid marine collagen; Fairfield University’s Center for Arts & Minds brings big programming this season
EAT Getting spicy with Mexican food entrepreneur Miguel Leal
54 MONEY MATTERS
Tips for volatile times
56 G-MOM
Local trails and big-city treks to wander; Football, fairs and fresh air festivities to explore
63 PEOPLE & PLACES
Greenwich Town Party; Americares; CT Against Gun Violence; Alzheimer’s Association; Bruce Museum; Breast Cancer Alliance; SoundWaters
77 VOWS
Addonizio–Mercurio
Settling into fall beauty
POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to GREENWICH MAGAZINE PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. 92
GREENWICH MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2025, VOL. 78, NO. 7. GREENWICH MAGAZINE (USPS 961-500/ISSN 1072-2432) is published ten times a year by Moffly Media, Inc 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices.
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vol. 78 | no. 7 | september 2025
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editor’s letter
SCAN TO EXPLORE OUR DIGITAL SIDE
CLASS ACTS
One of the great joys of this job is getting to meet the changemakers of today. But an even greater joy might be meeting the changemakers of tomorrow. Every year, our “Teens to Watch” feature (page 92) reminds us just how much potential, passion and power is packed into the next generation.
This year’s class is one of the most inspiring yet. In these pages, you’ll meet students who’ve built robotic surgical tools, founded nonprofits, broken athletic records, launched original plays and performed lead roles on major stages. They’ve earned spots at top universities, battled personal challenges and found creative ways to give back. They are athletes, artists, coders, entrepreneurs and quiet heroes who simply show up again and again to make their corners of the world better. But what really sets them apart? It’s not the impressive résumés or overflowing
trophy shelves. It’s their self-awareness. Their ability to reflect. Their honesty. Each teen shared the challenge they’re most proud to have overcome, the teacher who changed their trajectory, the advice they’d give their freshman selves. It’s clear that these young adults aren’t just focused on getting ahead. They’re learning how to grow, how to lead and how to be kind while doing it.
We’re lucky to live in a community that nurtures and encourages young people to dream big and do good. That spirit is alive and well in this group, and we’re honored to share their stories.
So whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a coach or simply someone who wants to feel hopeful about the future—read on. These teens will blow you away!
HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP
founder’s page
“Resign yourselves to the fact that your kids’ antics will put new meaning into old saws like “Ignorance is bliss”. . .
OF MINORS & MISCHIEF
Kids will be kids.
One thing I’ve learned in life is that with the arrival of your first child, your life changes on a dime. You’re not prepared for the high jinks ahead. You’ll find out—long after the fact, if you’re lucky—that they can be daredevils or just plain devils. Maybe some of our amazing teens in this issue will remember when. Who knows?
Some examples, starting with the devils. There’s no generation gap on this subject. On Halloween my brothers and I used to gum the doorbells of people who didn’t open up for trick-or-treaters. John Sinclair’s gang once made a very realistic dummy and strung it up the flagpole at the Riverside Yacht Club, and when the German groundskeeper came to put the flags up and found a body hanging from the yardarm, he almost had a heart attack.
Young Jimmy Bourne had a serious collection of fireworks. In a line of sailboats being towed to a race at Seawanaka, he and Bob Loghren were having a grand old time tossing out cherry bombs so they’d explode under water and splash everyone behind them. But one blew a plank right out of the bottom of the Timmy Edlund’s Lightning. And a couple I know were invited to a party at the Frantz Sr.’s long ago and were greeted in the driveway by some boys—including their son—mooning the guests as they arrived.
Then there are the daredevils. I remember chasing my friends around the rooftops of our apartment complex, and up and down fire escapes nine stories high. That is, until the superintendent caught us peeking in his windows.
I ’d have a son who, along with some buddies and our golden retriever Charlie, would wait until the water was frozen solid then hike across the ice from Willowmere beach to Tod’s Point. He and Jimmy Sheehan also liked to climb up under the overpasses above I-95
to catch pigeons, including the section that later plunged into the Mianus River. When the police finally caught on, “We had to come down,” says Jonathan. “Besides, they had our bikes.”
But not to be outdone, his little sister Audrey and the girls worked the underground— crawling through the sewer drainage pipe on one side of Willowmere Avenue and emerging on the other. “We even chased raccoons through there,” she recalls with glee. Ironically, Audrey ended up with teenage sons who liked to hang out in the sewer system near Weston School—a middle school rite of passage.
A generation earlier, Alex Platt’s group bought secondhand bikes at Buzz’s for five or ten dollars and rode them off the end of the dock at the yacht club to see how far they could sail in the air before hitting the water. Ropes were tied to their fenders so the boys could pull them up from the bottom and do it again.
“Everything we did, we invented,” Alex reflected at the 50th reunion of the Riverside School Class of ’51. “Nothing was packaged.”
But cars have always been the really big thing. At age 13, Cristin Marandino and two Greenwich Academy classmates decided to take the family Subaru for a spin, Cristin at the wheel, and hit a pickup truck. And oh, yes, John Sinclair and some buddies once piled into the Fannings’ car in the Riverside Yacht Club parking lot and drove it all the way up Riverside Avenue and across the Post Road to North Mianus School—backwards.
Of course, some daredevils never grow up. In college I watched my date, an engineering major from Babson, drive his Volkswagen into Lake Waban to see if it would float. It didn’t.
So, parents, just resign yourselves to the fact that your kids’ antics will put new meaning into old saws like “Ignorance is bliss” and “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.”
You’re better off in the dark. G
notable NOTES
How Sean Hudock braved the rocky waters of Broadway to produce Swept Away
COVER BOY
In reference to June, “Charting His Course” by Jill Johnson Mann I saw Sean Hudock talk about his new play Swept Away in Greenwich prior to its Broadway debut. His path to being a producer and the play were so interesting that I bought a ticket. I am a senior who has been to Broadway since my adolescence. Swept Away is one of the best plays I have ever seen. The acting, music, story and incredible scenic production were truly amazing and inspiring. I do hope it gets a welldeserved revival in the future.
I think the timing was off; it debuted during the holiday season, and it is a play with a tragic turn. The audience wanted an upbeat story line so thus its abbreviated run. Sean, do not give up; you have a winner. Hope to see more productions that you will produce.
– JOAN CARRA, GREENWICH
A CELEBRATION AND THEN SOME
The spread in the May issue about the Bishop’s visit to St. Paul’s was glorious [People & Places: “Ministry Milestone”]. It truly was a wonderful event getting to celebrate both St. Paul’s 150th anniversary and Jonathan Grele’s confirmation.
I might also mention that Donna Moffly’s piece about repurposing [Founder’s Page: “Of Recycling of Sorts”] had me enthralled. The last sentence, “Just don’t ask your kid what they’d do with the stuff,” made me laugh out loud.
– WENDY BROWNING-LYNCH, RIVERSIDE
TEEN TRAILBLAZER
I never thought of myself as anyone to watch, especially a “teen to watch” [September: “Teens to Watch” by Jill Johnson Mann]. I have
always been so happy to be included, to be part of a team, a community, and connected with others.
Growing up hearing-impaired, you often don’t know what you don’t hear. That can be, in equal parts, lonely, frustrating and a blessing. As I have gotten older, my hearing aids have become smaller and less visible, I’ve always strived to just blend in, definitely not to be watched.
But through this experience of being a “teen to watch,” I’ve learned that it’s okay to embrace all of who you are, and not just what you are. We are all unique, special and have barriers, seen or unseen.
I didn’t realize how much impact this article would have on the hearing-impaired community, especially for children. I have never been afraid to swim or be in the water without my aids. (My parents, coaches and lifeguards, well, that’s a different story!) I’ve come to learn that sometimes it just takes an example, a friend or a loving neighbor to help overcome whatever obstacle you have.
Since the article was published, so many people have come to me, not realizing that I am hard of hearing. This is actually the best possible compliment—that I have navigated my space, my community, fully as just me. I have also heard many heartwarming stories of children similar to me, who are fully capable in every possible way and just need to navigate the world differently. And not just navigate but thrive. You can be a captain; you can be a “teen to watch.” Being fully yourself, with all your abilities, disabilities, likes, differences, preferences and identities, is exactly how you are needed to be in this world. That’s not to say it won’t be hard, but sharing stories that are different makes a world of difference in how we see and hear the world.
Since becoming a Greenwich Teen to Watch, I’ve been accepted into some wonderful Engineering programs. But I’ve decided my path is calling me to the Rochester Institute of Technology. I am thankful to everyone in Greenwich who has loved me along the way.
Thank you for sharing my story.
– KATIE BYXBEE, GREENWICH
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
Wow, what a beautiful Sherman-Dee wedding [Audrey Clark Sherman & Oliver (Pepper) Phoenix Dee] in Vows in the March issue of GREENWICH magazine.
We cannot thank Social Editor Ali Gray enough for her talent and for including so many, if not all, of the photos sent in. The spread truly is stunning! It will be a treasured copy for us for sure.
– DEE DEE SHERMAN, GREENWICH
We love the beautiful layout [May: Vows—Anastasia Josephine Heavy & Walker Christian Lambrecht]! Thank you so much for Ali’s thoughtful, wonderful work.
It means so much to our family to share our happy celebration in the pages of GREENWICH magazine. We love this town.
– KIA HEAVEY, GREENWICH
Editor’s Note: The bride is the daughter of Kia and Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavy.
FILM FESTIVAL FAVORITE
Just wanted to say I really enjoyed the feature on actor Maggie Siff in your October issue [“Maggie Siff Dives Deep” by Riann Smith]. I read lots of these articles across many magazines, and this one was very well done. And it helps she is so well spoken. I was a fan, and now I am a bigger fan.
Love your magazine and always look forward to the next issue on the newsstand.
– ALICE C. FERREIRA, GREENWICH
ALL FIRED UP
I wanted to thank you again for your Light a Fire event at Westport Country Playhouse.
My thanks to Jonathan Perloe for nominating me, and to you for helping us shine a light on CAGV and make my daughter proud.
– NICOLE HEATH, GREENWICH
Editor’s Note: One of ten honorees in our November feature “Light a Fire” by Jill Johnson Mann, Nicole received an award for her volunteer work as “Gun Violence Opponent.”
Greenwich magazine welcomes letters that are timely and relevant to material published in our magazine. All letters become the property of Greenwich magazine, which reserves the right to edit them. Please include your name, address and day and evening telephone numbers for verification. Mail: Letter to the Editor, Greenwich magazine, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880; fax: 203-222-0937; or email editor@greenwichmagazine.com.
HUDSON IS HOT Why you should head north this summer
CAPE CHARMED Finding—and transforming—a dream home in Woods Hole
STEEPED IN STYLE Chic spots for a formal afternoon tea (and champagne)
THE POWER OF BEING HEARD
Filmmaker Joe Massa turns his lens on suicide survivors— and finds hope
NOTES IN NATURE
Caramoor combines concerts, culture and calm in a setting like no other
UP
on the menu at the buzzworthy new eatery La Bistro
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
THE NEW EASTERN CIVIC CENTER SCORES BIG WITH MULTIPURPOSE PERKS
Whether you’re into sports like basketball or pickleball or you’re looking for a toddler playgroup or a place to host a yoga class, a book group or even a party on the patio, it’s time to check out the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. The defining feature of this state-of-the-art center is that the space is super-versatile, designed to meet the many needs and interests of town residents.
The large, multipurpose gyms and activity rooms all have dividers, so the spaces can accommodate large groups—say, a high school reunion or a sports tournament, or smaller groups, such as a Pilates class, arts and crafts class, birthday parties, meetings and gatherings.
The new Civic Center, which had its soft opening in April, was made possible by a launch gift of $5 million from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation as well as a half-milliondollar contribution from Icy and Scott Frantz, with the new gym named in their honor. Rec sports fans will appreciate all the new playing space—including three indoor pickleball courts—but there’s so much more to it.
One gym has a floor that’s great for basketball and other sports, while the second gym has a wood-look surface with a sport floor underneath, so it’s not hard on the knees and is ideal for pickleball and volleyball. Both gyms have very high ceilings, and the second has a commercial kitchen connected to it, where
caterers or anyone renting the space can make use of the refrigerator, freezer and stove. TV screens set up all around the center display the activities happening that day and week. This fall, the staff expects the Civic Center to be especially busy with kids; OGRCC now has its offices located here.
“Peak times will be after school when kids come here,” says Patricia Triano, the recreation superintendent, pointing to the open lounge toward the back of the building. “There’s a place for them to do homework and a place for parents to wait while their kids are in activities.” The multiple lounge areas can also serve as places for one-on-one meetings or for friends to gather for coffee before or after a game.
above: All the spaces on the new Civic Center were designed with dividers to accomodate a variety of events.
“One of the fun things was that people on the board picked out unusually nice furniture for the waiting areas,” says Scott Johnson, chairman of the board of Parks and Recreation. That higher-end furniture was funded by donations. So, when parents are waiting to pick up kids from an activity, or teens are looking to do homework before an after-school basketball game, the lounge areas are extra comfortable, with modern couches as well as high-top tables and a big range of vending machines.
For groups using the outdoor fields for soccer, lacrosse, softball and other sports, or the tennis or pickleball courts, there are dedicated bathrooms accessible from the rear of the building with cold-water dispensers to refill
the new civic center, which had its soft opening in april, was made possible by a launch gift of $5 million from the steven and alexandra cohen foundation as well as a half-million-dollar contribution from icy and scott frantz, with the new gym named in their honor.
water bottles. The back patio also houses a group of Adirondack chairs, a comfortable spot for people to sit and relax between games or watch their kids play on the playground.
Currently, the Civic Center hosts open gym basketball, drop-in volleyball and pickleball as well as Tiny Tumblers classes with plans this fall for youth baseball, basketball, field hockey, pickleball, softball, track and also an adult basketball league. G
To reserve one of the gyms or activity rooms for an event, visit the parks and rec tab on the town website, greenwichct.gov. 90 Harding Road, Old Greenwich, 203-637-4583.
above: Even the little ones are getting in on the pickleball craze.
An independent, college preparatory day school, providing character-based education for boys in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.
BY HANNAH DEELY
CHANEL 25 Large Leather Handbag, $6,900; chanel.com
LEE JOFA MODERN Cascadia in Saffron by Kelly Wearstler; to the trade. kravet.com
DESIGNER-APPROVED DESTINATIONS
A SHORE THING
the boca raton brings its signature style and service to the sand with a bold new beach club
by megan gagnon
this photo: There are no bad seats at your private pool on your private beach.
For decades, The Boca Raton has been a refuge for wellheeled East Coasters chasing sunshine at the first sign of snow. But with the recent debut of Beach Club—its newly overhauled, ocean-facing property—the resort has officially entered a new era. Still polished, still private, this one includes a front-row seat to the Atlantic.
With Mediterranean revival architecture and striking archways, the original buildings of the multihotel compound lean fully into their storied history, highlighted by the Cloister lobby’s unmistakable old-school glamour. Just across the water, Beach Club offers a lighter, more contemporary take on luxury. Completely reimagined as part of a $200 million refresh, interiors are washed in crisp white, with natural textures and high-impact materials
your mood.
this photo: Marisol’s dual dining room allows for multiple experiences, depending on
this photo: Dinner at Onda comes with a sunset view.
this photo: Peak beachfront real estate, with built-in shade.
Pouring Love Into Every Bite!
(honed marble, cerused oak) that lend to the elevated, neutral aesthetic. The 210 guest rooms and suites feature custom curved furnishings, relaxed low-slung seating and artful sculptural lighting, making every stay feel like a visit to an expertly designed beach house.
Outside, members and guests can opt for full service in the sand or at one of three pools, under umbrellas trimmed in a sunset orange that pairs perfectly with an Aperol spritz. For families, the setup is seamless, with just-active-enough kids’ clubs and no shortage of ways to exhaust them by sundown (boat rentals, surf lessons, snorkeling). For those traveling without, the place never tips into chaos. It’s calm, even with toddlers in tow.
If you are looking to go full resort-mode—multiple restaurants, even more pools, a waterpark, a golf course, pickleball courts, shopping and a five-star spa—The Boca Raton’s harborside sprawl is just a short water taxi ride away.
With the recent debut of Beach Club— its newly overhauled, ocean-facing property— the resort has officially entered a new era.
But no one would blame you if you never left your blissful Beach Club bubble, especially when the dining is this good. At Marisol, seafood towers, grilled fish and Mediterranean mezze are passed across breezy banquettes in an indoor-outdoor setting. A few steps from the sand, Onda keeps things interesting with a rotating cast of visiting chefs focused on creating seasonal menus for an adults-only crowd.
It’s the kind of experience longtime members have always known: The Boca Raton delivers where it counts: food, service, setting. Now, first-time Beach Club guests have the chance to discover it for themselves.
thebocaraton.com
above: Choose your vibe: tranquil adult-only pool or funfilled family-friendly waters. below: Guest rooms are breezy and bright, with curved edges and contemporary fixtures.
this photo: Generously sized bathrooms include soaking tubs, walk-in showers and plenty of space at the double-sink vanity.
SEA THE DIFFERENCE
HOW A BEAUTY INDUSTRY VETERAN IS MAKING A SPLASH WITH HER OWN BRAND
by mary kate hogan
photography by venera
alexandrova
Beauty expert and town native THERESA PLAVOUKOS has worked for major brands such as L’Oréal and Estée Lauder and has helped launch many indie brands as well. Now she’s started her own line, a liquid collagen supplement called Fat Mermaid, designed to promote plump skin, full hair and strong nails. We caught up with the entrepreneur and Old Greenwich mom of three to talk collagen, local haunts and all things beauty.
YOU’VE BEEN WORKING ON LAUNCHES FOR YEARS. WHAT LED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BRAND?
I’ve enjoyed creating beauty products in every category for the past 20-plus years—long-wear lip color, lengthening mascara, luxury fragrances, facial moisturizers and serums. Three years ago, I developed tinctures for an organic skincare brand and learned the product-development process for ingestible beauty. I had always taken supplements and had been using
powered collagen for ten years. I knew that collagen gets results, but all the scooping and stirring, followed by stomach aches, made me realize there’s got to be a better way to take it. I wanted an easy-to-take collagen, the most efficacious variety possible, and I wanted it to be liquid, because I knew from my work on tinctures that’s the easiest way to get quick results. I also wanted to design it specifically for beauty benefits— even though it helps with joint support and inflammation, too—and to make the branding fun, something that’s enjoyable to take every day.
above left: Theresa Plavoukos above right: Dive into marine collagen
WHY IS MARINE COLLAGEN SUPERIOR TO OTHER TYPES? HOW IS IT SOURCED?
Research shows that marine collagen is more bioavailable than bovine collagen. Clinical studies show that your body can absorb up to 80 percent of marine collagen but only 40 percent of bovine. Because marine collagen has a lower molecular weight [smaller molecules], it is absorbed into the bloodstream quickly and more efficiently. Also, marine collagen is predominantly Type 1 collagen, the same kind found in your hair, skin, nails, lashes and brows. We lose one to two percent of our natural collagen annually, starting at age 25. When you ingest Type 1 collagen, you can help replace that lost collagen.
Marine collagen is also more sustainable than bovine because it comes from fish skins, which would have otherwise been thrown away. The fish are from European
cold waters, and they’re farmraised, which now is considered more eco-friendly than wild-caught because it’s not depleting the ocean’s natural supply of fish.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS PEOPLE CAN EXPECT FROM FAT MERMAID?
Clinical studies show that after 60 days of continued use, you
“marine collagen not only delivers beauty results— it’s also the more sustainable choice. ”
will see a reduction in lines and wrinkles, increase in skin elasticity, firmness, hydration, stronger nails, and thicker hair, lashes and brows. And, bonus: Fat Mermaid also supports strong joints and bones.
HOW DO YOU DRINK YOUR FAT MERMAID?
I take it straight like a shot! A beauty glow shot. Fat Mermaid features a dosing cup right on the bottle. I pour one ounce and drink it out of the cup, rinse, then back on the bottle and into the fridge. I also mix it right into my yogurt, stir and eat. The only thing I taste is the yogurt.
WHAT FEEDBACK ARE YOU GETTING?
People who have gone through one bottle [a month’s worth] are seeing longer, stronger nails and sending me photos of their hands. Two friends were asked what they’ve been doing because their skin looks so bright and glowy. Thicker hair should be reported next after about three months of continued use. G
GLOW AND GO
FOR YOUR OWN BEAUTY ROUTINE, WHAT ARE YOUR MUST-HAVES?
One product I love is Paula’s Choice 2-Percent BHA Liquid Exfoliant. You put it on with a cotton ball at night, and the next morning your skin is so smooth you can’t even believe it. Other favorites are Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum (I buy two bottles at a time, only $38 for the perfect glow), Jones Road Powder Bronzer, Merit concealer and Glossier Boy Brow
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GO-TO PLACES IN TOWN?
I don’t miss a day at Sweet Pea’s for my pao de queijo and iced coffee, even through the winter months. I find the best gifts at No. 299 in Old Greenwich. My 15-year-old son, James, and I like to peruse McArdle’s for seasonal flowers and plants. And I can’t wait to try new Suma Life House in Old Greenwich—it will be our first retailer in town. Of course, I love Tod’s Point I walk early every morning to the beach and back wearing my weighted vest.
A Season to Spark
FROM JAZZ LEGENDS TO GLOBAL VOICES, FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR ARTS & MINDS IGNITES THE IMAGINATION WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
by samantha yanks
this photo: Rebecca Lazier’s Noli Timere dancers animate Echelman’s net with movement.
Thursday, Sept. 11
Fairfield University
Art Museum
Stitching Time: Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project and Give Me Life— CPA Prison Arts Program
Opening Night Lecture and Reception
5:30 p.m. lecture; 6:30-8:30 p.m. reception
Walsh Gallery, Dolan Event Hall and via livestream Jeffrey Greene, program manager of Community Partners in Action’s Prison Art Project, will deliver the opening night talk, preceded by brief remarks by Maureen Kelleher, co-founder of the Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project.
Free; Register at fairfield.edu/museum
Friday, Sept. 26
Rebecca Lazier Noli Timere
7:30 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Choreographer Rebecca Lazier and renowned sculptor Janet Echelman share a soaring
Grammy Award-winner, guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and repopularizing jazz.” Established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Pizzarelli has expanded that repertoire by including the music of Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim and The Beatles.
$50 | $5 Fairfield University student
$35 Quick Member; Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
different religions in modern-day America.
$35| $5 Fairfield University student
$25 Quick Member; Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
aerial performance featuring a custom designed Echelman net sculpture in Noli Timere, Latin for “Be not afraid.”
Featuring eight dancers and live music by JORANE, the work is a fusion of dance, art installation and advanced engineering that explores how we navigate an unstable world.
$35 | $5 Fairfield University student; $25 Quick Member; Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
Friday, Oct. 3
John Pizzarelli and The Swing 7 7:30 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Philip I. Eliasoph Open VISIONS Forum
A Conversation with Eboo Patel, PhD 7:30 p.m.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Eboo Patel, PhD, is widely known for emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue. Founder and president of Interfaith America, Dr. Patel is also a bestselling author. Dr. Patel partnered with the White House to develop President Obama’s “Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge.”
He discusses the necessity of understanding and accepting
Sunday, Oct. 5 & Monday, Oct. 6
Manual Cinema
Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster
Oct. 5 | 3 p.m.
Oct. 6 | 11 a.m. (school show)
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Leonardo! A 45-minute family show for ages 3+ that uses hundreds of illustrated paper puppets, book pages, twodimensional props, furry monster puppets, narration and songs to bring Mo Willems’ books to life. Manual Cinema re-creates the experience of holding one of Mo’s book pages, which are big, bold, colorful, and full of visual rhythm, with their playful use of scale.
$15 | $5 Fairfield University student
$10 Quick Member; Tickets at fairfield.edu/quick
For a comprehensive listing of all upcoming events and for more information on each, please visit fairfield.edu/artsminds.
above: Kenya Baleech Alkebu (quilt design) Maureen Kelleher (quilting) Red, White and Baldwin 2016, Mixed cotton blends and acrylic paint, 90 x 90 inches, Lent by Maureen Kelleher.
John Pizzarelli
above: Manual Cinema’s Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About A Terrible Monster.
above: Eboo Patel, PhD
eat
Taking a Big Bite
SOMOS CEO MIGUEL LEAL IS BUILDING COMMUNITY — ONE MEAL AT A TIME
by georgette yacoub
Miguel Leal, co-founder and CEO of SOMOS Foods, is on a mission to change the way Americans experience Mexican food at home. With a résumé that includes leadership roles at KIND, Kettle Chips and Cholula Hot Sauce, Leal now calls Fair eld County home—and it’s where SOMOS is thriving. We sat down with the Old Greenwich resident to talk about food, identity, entrepreneurship and why he believes Stamford might just be the next great food startup hub.
Q: You were born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. What are some of your earliest food memories, and how have they shaped your vision for SOMOS?
Miguel Leal: I come from a big family—I’m the oldest of 32 cousins. We spent weekends at both of my grandparents’ homes. Saturdays we’d eat at one, Sundays at the other. There were all these rituals around meals: what was served, who sat at the kids’ table versus the adults’. My grandma would even rank how much she loved her grandkids by how much of her food they ate. It was all love, family and culture at the lunch table. Those are my favorite memories.
Scan here for more great places to EAT & DRINK!
Q: What brought you to the United States?
Leal: I came to the U.S. for graduate school. I had a scholarship to study at Wharton. I never planned to stay. My identity was very rooted in Mexico. But during my second year, I met my wife, who’s from the Midwest. One thing led to another, and I ended up staying. This country gave me an education, a family and opportunities. I realized I didn’t have to give up my culture to live here. Fifteen years ago, I became a U.S. citizen. I’m still Mexican, but now I’m also American, and I’m very grateful.
Q: How did you end up in Fairfield County?
Leal: We originally lived in San Francisco, and I
above: Miguel Leal is bringing his culinary and busines expertise to at-home Mexican fare.
above and right: SOMOS products make quick work of creating easy, healthy and flavorful meal.
was working at Kettle Chips. After we sold the company, I got an opportunity with KIND that brought us to this area. We had friends here and loved being near the water. It felt comfortable. Then I worked on the Cholula brand, and we built the team in Stamford. When it was time to start SOMOS, we didn’t even look anywhere else. We had fallen in love with the area, and Stamford has a lot to offer—talent, community and, surprisingly, a small but growing food scene.
Q: What makes Stamford a good home base for a food startup like SOMOS?
Leal: There’s a strong pool of young talent here, and we’ve found other food entrepreneurs in the area—especially in ethnic food. We started doing happy hours, getting together with founders, bankers, suppliers, even recruiters. It’s a very supportive community. When we launched SOMOS, we started in a shared space in Stamford. It’s been a great place to grow.
Q: When did you know that food—and storytelling through food—was going to be your life’s work?
Leal: Looking back, the signs were there from childhood. My mom used to take me across the border to shop in Laredo, Texas. I’d spend hours in the grocery store choosing just one item. There were so many things we didn’t have in Mexico—peanut butter, fish sticks, sugary cereals. Later, after business school, I had job offers from a laundry detergent company and a snack company. My wife said, “Why are you even thinking about this? You hate laundry and love food.” She was right.
Q: What inspired the name “SOMOS,” and what does it mean to you?
Leal: SOMOS means “We are” in Spanish. We started the company four years ago during a time of tension around immigration and Mexican identity in the U.S. Our hope was to play a small role in bringing these two cultures together. Mexican food is now the most popular ethnic food in America. It’s a $68 billion market. We wanted to challenge the idea that it has to be greasy or complicated. We’re building a community through food.
Q: How is SOMOS different from other Mexican products in the grocery aisle?
Leal: In restaurants, Mexican food has completely transformed in the last decade. You see birria, mole, tacos from all over Mexico. But the grocery shelf hasn’t changed. It’s still taco shells, seasoning packets and Monterey Jack cheese. We want to bring what’s happening in restaurants to home kitchens. Our products are convenient, better for you and rooted in regional Mexican cuisine. We make it easy—sauces for your protein, sides that heat in 90 seconds. You
can make a meal in 10 minutes, feed four people for under $25, and it’s better than ordering delivery.
Q: Was being plant-based and shelf-stable part of the plan from the start?
Leal: Yes, for this first chapter. We wanted to come out strong with clean labels and challenge the idea that Mexican food has to be heavy or unhealthy. We’re not saying we’ll always be plant-based and shelf-stable, but it was important to start that way to make our point.
Q: You’ve held leadership roles at brands like KIND, Kettle and Cholula. What lessons from those experiences have you brought into SOMOS?
Leal: The biggest thing I learned is that every successful brand solves a real problem for its consumer. At SOMOS, we spend a lot of time understanding our customer. We do tons of research. We want to be the smartest brand in
the category, and being close to our consumer helps us move fast and stay relevant.
Q: As a Mexican immigrant, how has your identity influenced how you build teams or connect with your audience?
Leal: I’ve been lucky to work on some incredible brands, and now I feel a responsibility to support other Latin founders. Fifteen years ago, there weren’t many people who looked like us in the food industry. That’s changed.
We organized a dinner at Expo West [a natural product trade show] with over 100 Latin founders. We also created an aisle at the trade show dedicated to Latin-owned brands. It’s about helping each other grow. We believe the tide lifts all boats.
Q: What excites you most about the future of SOMOS?
Leal: We’re building strong partnerships with retailers. It’s exciting to see them embrace the
vision we have for this category. I’m passionate about helping more people—especially those who didn’t grow up with a Mexican abuela— learn to cook delicious meals at home.
Q: If you could put one SOMOS dish on every dinner table in America tonight, what would it be?
Leal: A burrito bowl—our sweet corn rice, our black and pinto beans and our new birria cooking sauce, which is launching at Whole Foods.
Q: What’s your favorite SOMOS product right now?
Leal: The pinto and black beans with street corn. We launched it last month, and it’s quickly becoming our No. 1.
Q: Where can people find SOMOS?
Leal: We’re in 11,000 stores nationwide, including Walmart and Target. And all of our products are available at Whole Foods in this area. G
above: Welcome to the family of SOMOS
money matters
BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER
TIME-TESTED TIPS FOR VOLATILE TIMES
AWhite House comment. A jobs report. An inflation indicator. A Fed response. And with each move, equity and bond markets soaring and dipping like competitors on TV’s Dancing With the Stars.
Where’s an investor to turn in these volatile times?
Right here, in lower Fairfield County. Some of the best money minds live and work among us: hedge fund hotshots, buttoned-up bankers, private advisers to the ultra rich, attorneys, CPAs and insurers who navigate the fine print to map out a financial GPS. In the dozen years of Money Matters, these experts have been generous with their time and expertise. Now especially, their messages bear repeating.
Drive With a Seasoned Navigator
This isn’t the time to go chasing big returns. Instead, partner with an adviser experienced in weathering storms. Plenty of suiters here serve the mass affluent—people with at least
$1 million in assets. (Lower Fairfield County counts more than 12,500 millionaires, reports a 2024 Henley & Partners study.) And while managing your money may seem easy in a bull market, when things get tough you want a partner who has been through this before and can act according to your needs and goals. Don’t let advisers intimidate you, hoodwink you with promises of high returns or use vocabulary you don’t understand. Find someone who cares about you, says Dan FitzPatrick of Greenwich, the president of Northway Wealth Advisors. What services does this person provide and how are they compensated?
Some advisers charge a flat fee fee, some charge a percentage of the assets they manage and still others earn a commission based on the products they sell you. Steer clear of someone trying to sell you a product versus guiding you in your decision-making, FitzPatrick says.
Be Ready When the Going Gets Rough
When you meet with your adviser, forget best-case scenarios and home-run returns. Explore what should happen when, say, the market tanks or you lose your job. Will you still be on target to meet your goals? This, from Andrew Billinghurst, senior vice president and wealth management adviser with the Erdmann Group in Greenwich, who suggests meeting at least annually with your financial holy trinity—your CPA, your attorney, your financial adviser—to talk about life events. “Tell them, ‘This is what I’m thinking of doing. Am I still on track?’”
In the meantime, sock away at least six months of living expenses. In the event of a surprise, “cash is king,” Billinghurst says.
Take Triple-Tax Advantages
You know by now to contribute to your 401(k), at least up to the company match. Otherwise, you’re giving away free money. The same holds true for a Health Savings Account. With an HSA,
THE POWER OF COMPOUNDING
your pre-tax contributions reduce your payroll taxes, your earnings grow tax-free over time, and you pay no taxes on withdrawals if you use the money for medical expenses. That’s a triple-tax advantage—an opportunity unheard-of with other investment vehicles. Daniel Paige of Park Avenue Capital suggests fully funding an HSA and investing it as you would your 401(k). At the same time, stash cash in an emergency account to be used for out-of-pocket medical expenses, should they arise. Save those receipts. Down the road, you can reimburse yourself for medical expenses that you paid years prior, so long as you still have the receipts and you had an HSA when you paid the expenses.
“HSAs are not use it or lose it,” says Paige, and there is no Required Minimum Distribution. So invest your money in an HSA account now, then dip in down the road as you need to pay for your qualified medical expenses, including some Medicare premiums and long-term care insurance costs. G
While you might be tempted to sit with your cash on the sidelines, don’t forget that dynamic duo of compounding and time. Jennifer Nicasio of HTG Investment Advisors in New Canaan cites the “price of procrastination calculator” when extolling the benefits of compounding. Sock away $100 monthly, she says, and if your money earns six percent, you’ll have more than $8,000 in six years. At that same rate, you’ll exceed $20,000 in twelve years. Raise that savings and investing to $500 monthly and you’ll reach $42,000 in six years, more than $102,000 in 12 years, and in excess of $333,000 in 25 years.
by eileen bartels
g–mom TRAIL MIX
THE BEST WALKS, TREKS & TIPS FOR AUTUMN EXPLORERS
Summer’s heat is passing, and we’re starting to feel autumn in the air. The days are still long, and the trees are getting ready to put on their brilliant color-changing show. You don’t have to go far to get your fix of nature within the fifty square miles of Greenwich. Try out one of the trails snaking through our town or venture beyond to tackle a mountain preserve. With NYC at our doorstep, put a new spin on walking and check one of these urban hikes off your outdoor bucket list.
In Our Backyard
MIANUS RIVER TRAILS PARK
friendsofmianusriverpark.org
This 391-acre reserve on the Greenwich/ Stamford border includes both 2.6- and 4.5-mile hiking loops and is open sunrise to sunset.
Start at one of the two parking areas, either the Greenwich entrance (450 Cognewaugh Road) or the Stamford entrance (71 Merriebrook Lane). Remember to stay on trails and leave no trace by bringing your trash back to the car. Leashed dogs are allowed.
AUDUBON
audubon.org/greenwich
The Greenwich Audubon Center includes 686 acres of marshes and forests teaming with wildlife and fauna and is
open sunrise to sundown, 365 days a year. It’s a great place to enjoy a little quiet. No bikes or pets are permitted, and visitors are expected to stay on the paths so as to not disturb the surrounding nature. The Main Sanctuary features seven miles of trails that pass by fields, trees, streams and lakes. Trail maps are available on the website. A donation of $6 is suggested.
Extend Your Exploration
MOHONK MOUNTAIN PRESERVE
mohonk.com
The Mohonk Preserve is 90 miles north of Greenwich in Ulster County, New York. Choose your adventure, from steep hikes over boulders to relaxing strolls over carriage trails in the 85 miles of winding trails. Mohonk offers something for everyone from beginner to advanced.
Expect great views and epic photo ops, and maybe take on a challenge of passing through famous rock crevices like the Lemon Squeeze. There is some difficult terrain, but this hike is sure to make for a memorable day trip.
Trails are open all year. Passes are $35 for adults and $30 for children. You must purchase your pass online, and no dogs are permitted.
Pro Tip: Cell service can be spotty when you hike, so download trail maps before you leave home.
Urban Hikes
The paths may be paved, but you can still take in natural beauty and terrain that only New York City has to offer.
THE HIGH LINE AND LITTLE ISLAND
thehighline.org littleisland.org
The High Line is a public park built on a 1.45-mile long elevated rail structure running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on Manhattan’s West Side. No dogs are allowed, but food and drinks are available along the way, as well as restrooms.
Segue off the High Line by the Whitney Museum, walk up the block to cross the pedestrian bridge and continue your hike to Little Island located between 13th and 14th streets in Hudson River Park. Visitors may enter Little Island from the South Bridge near 13th Street or the North Bridge near 14th Street. This 2.4acre oasis on Pier 55 is free, but there are fees for amphitheater events.
Manhattan may be described as a concrete jungle, but foliage and plantings abound along both the High Line and Little Island. Fall features an autumn mix of blooming asters and goldenrod, along with ornamental grasses and maple, locust and dogwood trees. No dogs are allowed on Little island, public restrooms are available. Both parks are free.
Tools of the Trade
Whether hiking in your backyard or miles away, a little planning and a few good tools can enhance the journey
FEET SMARTS
Hiking boots are not necessary for all terrain, but if you’re going to be climbing or dealing with slippery surfaces like rocks, consider a good pair of hiking boots or shoes. Today’s hiking shoes are as fashionable as the sneakers you wear every day but boast additional features like better ankle support and treads to help keep you sure-footed. Although most modern hiking boots come ready to wear, it is always a good plan to break them in before a long journey.
If you won’t be covering rough terrain and aren’t ready for new shoes, consider some additional sole support. Superfeet brand innnersoles are a great way to extend the life of existing shoes with a little more arch support for long walks ahead. These are available online or at Treads and Threads in Greenwich.
FIRST AID
Blisters happen, as do cuts and bruises. From urban hikes to nature trails, it's best to keep a few bandages and antiseptic wipes tucked in your pocket, just in case.
BUG OFF
Bug bites can be more than a nuisance, they can be dangerous. When communing with nature, consider applying insect repellent to your skin and clothing before you hit the trail. Travel-size portable packets can be picked up at the drug store and are perfect to stash in a pocket in case things get buggy. Along those lines, protect yourself with high socks, tucked into pants and leave no room for ticks to hop on board. Post-hike, take the time to do a thorough tick check before you jump back in the car. Stash a tape roller in your car, and roll your clothing to pick up any bugs that may have hitched a ride.
The High Line and Chelsea Market
Little Island
The High Line
BEAR BEWARE
Those furry, brown creatures that seem like such a novelty on Nextdoor backcountry postings are a very real part of the Connecticut landscape. Keep your bear watching to streaming National Geographic documentaries, and pack some bear spray just in case you find yourself eye to eye with Yogi. Be sure you check the posted hiking notices where you can see if any bears have been seen recently.
KEEP A LID ON IT
Be sure to protect your skin. Even on a cool day, the sun can be powerful. Wear a hat, and lotion up with sunscreen before you leave home.
SENSE OF DIRECTION
Do not count on Google Maps to be able to guide you everywhere. Spotty service can happen on the trail, so download trail maps before you leave. That way if you lose cell service, you’ll find your way home. Better yet, go old school and print out a map just in case something happens to your phone.
GET A GRIP
Little Island 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The High Line 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through November
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY
brooklynbridgepark.org
Take a walk along this iconic mile-long bridge over the East River. Marvel at the surrounding views along the way, from the neo-gothic towers to the river and lawns below. The bridge is managed by the NYC Department of Transportation and free to walk across on the pedestrian walkway. To enter on the Manhattan side, cross Centre Street near the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall subway station for the 4, 5 and 6 lines to the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Public restrooms are at the pier. On the Brooklyn side, stop to walk around Jane’s Carousel and the nearby shops.
CENTRAL PARK
centralparknyc.org
maps and park information about special events and suggested routes. There are also audio guides you can listen to as you walk the park.
Some more ambitious trails contain ropes and areas where you may need to use your hands. You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to have a simple pair of hiking gloves.
STAY HYDRATED
Yes, water is heavy, but this is one resource you’ll need. Look for a lightweight bottle to lessen the load.
Another excellent urban hike is the Central Park Full Loop, a 6.1-mile walk that combines the nature of Central Park as it gives visitors a look at all the park has to offer. The 1.6-mile loop around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir Path is also a popular route.
Spend some time online, and map out your own Central Park hike taking you past the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, Cherry Hill, the Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields and the Conservatory Gardens. Take a break for hydration at the Central Park Boathouse. Covering the highlights of the park without stops takes about two hours.
Central Park contains 58 miles of hiking trails, adding up to a multitude of future hikes to tackle. Check out the Central Park Conservancy website for downloadable
Local Hiking Supply Sources
Outdoor Sports Center in Wilton 80 Danbury Road, Wilton outdoorsports.com REI Norwalk 189 Connecticut Avenue,
Central Park
The Brooklyn Bridge
SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER
No. 1 HORSE PLAY
With a horse show, tailgating, field day activities, petting zoo, stick-pony classes (for both adults and kids), food and drink trucks, A Day in the Country Family Horse Show promises to be a fun day for all. The event is presented by the Greenwich Riding & Trails Association and will be held Sunday, September 21, in at 39 Pierson Drive in backcountry. Throughout the year, GRTA welcomes the community (riders and nonriders) to enjoy a variety of events. thegrta.org
No. 2 BUZZ-WORTHY
The Honey Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens helps raise awareness about the significance of honeybees and pollinators in our ecosystem. Pollinators, especially bees, play a vital role in the reproduction of flowering plants, including crops essential for our food supply. The day includes honey tasting, harvesting demos, crafts, lawn games and a marketplace featuring local vendors. bartlettarboretum.org
No. 3 A HOLE LOTTA LOVE
Nothing says fall like delicious apple cider donuts. Luckily, there are several options nearby and a daytrip away for the delicious treat.
Lakeside Diner
1050 Long Ridge Rd, Stamford 203-322-2252 lakesidediner.org
Beascakes Bakery 575 Main St, Armonk, NY 914-273-3612 beascakesbakery.com
Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard
278 Leavenworth Rd, Route 110 (in the White Hills section of Shelton) 203-926-1098 beardsleyscidermill.com
Bishop’s Orchards 1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford 203-453-2338 bishopsorchards.com
Salinger’s Orchard 230 Guinea Rd, Brewster, NY 845-277-3521 salingersorchards.com
Silverman’s Farm 451 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT 203-261-3306 silvermansfarm.com
No. 4 RED ALERT
Gather the family under the Friday night lights to cheer on Greenwich High’s Cardinals. The season kicks off Friday, September 12, at 6 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium. Go big red! The full schedule can be found on greenwichfootball.com.
No. 5 CLASS ACTS
As you consider the learning environment, teaching style and school philosophies that best suit your child, Greenwich Moms is here to help. The 2025 Greenwich Preschool Guide provides all the information in one place. greenwichmoms.com/2025-greenwichpreschool-guide G
Every month, Layla Lisiewski, Greenwich mom of four and founder of Greenwich Moms and its parent company, The Local Moms Network, shares some of her favorite things to do—from seasonal activities to can’tmiss events. Follow @greenwich_moms on Instagram, sign up for the newsletter, and check out the calendar at greenwichmoms.com.
by layla lisiewski
100% of these funds directly support groundbreaking cancer research!
• $4.5 million raised during our ten-year partnership with Damon Runyon and Dana-Farber.
• Successfully funded 28 Fellowship Scientists pursuing a cure for cancer.
• In 2025 Ryan Raveis teamed up with Rob Fried and Band Central to launch two exciting Ravestock Concerts! Enjoy a night of music, fun, and community in loving memory of Meghan Raveis. Join us to support a cure for cancer.
people&PLACES
ople
The Perfect Note
Always a great kickoff to summer, The Greenwich Town Party was a smashing success. The annual celebration brings Greenwich residents together for a day of great music, delicious food and good fun. This year’s headliners included Alanis Morissette, Ziggy Marley, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Blippi for the kiddos. See you next year—same time, same place! greenwichtownparty.org »
1 Ziggy Marley 2 Hannah Storm 3 Somewhere (Greenwich) over the rainbow 4 Lee and Rachel Presser, Kendra Bridelle, Nicole and Jeff Glor 5 Alanis Morissette 6 Sarah Mclellan, Eva Sins, Erica Gill 7 Jen Flatow, Katherine Keenan 8 Jeané Coakley and Scott Burrell with their children, Coakley and Cora
1 The Kaintuck band takes the stage 2 Alanis
3 Janine and Bob Kennedy 4 Ben Mickelson, Jen Danzi, Joe Lockridge 5 Carl Kuehner, Tiffany Kuehner Stewart and Mike Stewart with their children 5 Emily and Sam Vallely, Lile Gestal 6 Scenes from a “darty” (day party) 7 Carl Kuehner, Tiffany Kuehner Stewart and Mike Stewart with their children 8 Dan Hicks, Tripp and Mary Ann Freeman, Hannah Storm 9 Chris Frattaroli, Melinda Lindland, Erin Chang, Melanie Loomis, Sandy Honey 10 Brady Miller, Gene Gestal, Doug McGarth 11 First Selectman Fred Camillo, Officer P. Corticello, Debra Hess, Jackie Budkins 12 Andy Amill, Brian and Rachel Matthews, Heather Wise, Olivia Wise
Morissette
16 Preservation Hall Jazz Band 17 Taylor Ansel, Ben Trana, Julisa Bajra, Andres Moreira, Liz Linde, Mary Chickering
18 Scott & Alessandra Long, Mariam
Kendall 19 Whitney Keyes, Lindsay Potter, Ali Gray 20 Blippi and company 21 Mario Gabelli, Gov. Ned Lamont, Ray Rivers
22 Kendra Farn, Noah Finz 23 Jacquie and John Lange 24 Sarah McNeil, Daniel Van
13 The crowd goes wild for Ziggy Marley
14 Monika Heimbold and Susie Baker
15 Mark Maloney, Kelly and Dave Kreppein
Starrenvurg, Joyce Fowler »
Help Is En Route
Americares recently celebrated its mission to increase access to health in times of disaster and every day with its 2025 Airlift benefit. More than 350 guests attended the evening at Pier Sixty in New York City, hosted by Emmy-winning TV host and producer Ross Mathews from The Drew Barrymore Show. This year’s event culminated with a group of guests departing on a flight to El Salvador to witness Americares’ work firsthand. Other notable attendees included CNN anchor Erica Hill, and Scandal actors Tony Goldwyn and Scott Foley, along with famed television producer and creator Shonda Rhimes. americares.org »
1 Event cochairs: Dr. Eric Weintz, Joy Weintz, Erica Hill, David Yount, Sara Clinger, Benjamin Clinger, Will Horton and Alexa Horton 2 Alexandra Destler, Randy Weiss, Diana Maguire 3 Tony Goldwyn, Ross Mathews, Americares President and CEO Christine Squires, Americares Board Member Erica Hill 4 The auction in full swing 5 Tony Goldwyn, Shonda Rhimes, Marika Domiñczyk and Scott Foley 6 Chandler Bell, Anne and Alex McGuire 7 Americares Board Members: Tim Bosek, Jeffrey Becker, Peter Neffenger, Vladimir Makatsaria, Susan Grossman, Christine Squires, Tony Goldwyn, Joy Weintz, Roberta Conroy, Erica Hill, Michael Ullmann 8 Lauren Sharfman, Lino Vivas 9 Dr. Eric Weintz, Joy Weintz, Lucy and John Sanna
Strengthened.
Strength of mind, body, and spirit are the cornerstones of a life well lived. As we prepare our boys for life in a fast-changing world, we’re especially dedicated to cultivating the whole boy, to building in every student the habits-of-mind that will nourish and fortify him for the rest of his life.
Our Mission
The mission of Breast Cancer Alliance is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure. To promote these goals, we invest in innovative research, breast surgery fellowships, regional education, dignified support and screening for the underserved.
Breast Cancer Alliance
48 Maple Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 info@breastcanceralliance.org
Yonni Wattenmaker Executive Director
To learn more visit breastcanceralliance.org breastcanceralliance
@BCAllianceCT
Standing Strong
C@breastcanceralliance
T Against Gun Violence (CAGV) recently held its annual spring luncheon at the Inn at Longshore in Westport. Cochaired by Jennifer Epstein, Nicole Heath, Melissa Kane, Barb Patrick and Allison Stockel, the afternoon hosted over 200 guests. A powerful and insightful keynote address was given by Rob Wilcox, former Co-Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Moving remarks were also offered by motivational speaker and artist Yexandra Diaz, and Sandy Hook School survivor and activist Matthew Holden. cagv.org »
1 Nicole Heath, Rachel Khanna 2 Charlie Grady, Tia Reid, Yexandra Diaz, Michelle Litt, Carolyn Vermont, Franck Adjisegbe 3 Monica Prihoda, Barb Patrick 4 Executive Director Earl Bloodworth 5 Jill Oberlander, Jonathan Perloe, Nick Simmons 6 The dining room 7 Carolyn Vermont, Nancy Lefkowitz 8 Donna Moffly, Cynthia Blumenthal, Melissa Kane 9 Rob Wilcox, Yexandra Diaz, Matthew Holden, Jonathan Perloe
We are looking for fantastic photos of Greenwich and Greenwich people to feature every month on our new back page. If you would like a chance to be published in Greenwich magazine and win $100 here’s what you should know:
• Photos can be whimsical, historical, serene, funny or beautiful but they all must be taken in Greenwich.
• Photos must be submitted digitally to editor@mofflymedia.com and be 300 dpi and 7 inches high or larger.
• We will need:
1 Photographer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail
2 Subject of the photograph (identify people in the photo)
3 Location of the photograph
4 Inspiration behind the photograph
5 Any interesting anecdote about the photograph or featured subject We can’t wait to see your view of Greenwich!
Hope Floats
It was a sea of purple and generous supporters at the annual Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter Celebrating Hope gala held at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel. Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails, coveted auction items, dinner and inspiring moments from guest speakers. Important events like this help the organization lead the charge in Alzheimer’s care, support, research and advocacy. alz.org »
1 Viosa Lukaj, Ginger Stickel, Robin Carpenter, Jane Sprung 2 Wendy and Debbie Stapleton, Chris McFerran 3 Ed and Joanne Mortimer, Rich Granoff, Kate DeCarlo, Jen Danzi 4 Stephanie Riggio, Cheryl Podop, Jeanie Ricci 5 Mary Pat and Joe Cabrera 6 Leah and Steve Farley 7 Cliff and Carter Paulson 8 Christy Kovel, Sage Vavolizza 9 Lauren Lazar, Tina Courpas, Dr. Stacy Zarakiotis 10 Ginny Hambridge, Jenna and Joanne Leach 11 Shannon Worth, Barbara Harty, Maria Puntereri, Lexa Remmes 12 Kate and Jim Clark 13 Casey and Doug Maclean
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION / Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel
A Magical Soirée
The Bruce Museum recently held its annual gala to support the museum’s mission of cultivating discovery by engaging a broad audience through the power of art and science. The theme of the evening, “Embrace the Magic,” was hosted by gala cochairs Judy Stein, Natalie Stein, Tracy Holton and Nina Bliley, as well as Honorary Chair Candia Fisher. brucemuseum.org »
1 An ice sculpture 2 Brett daVeer, Abiodun Tobun, Christin daVeer, Funkazi Tobun, Pouya and Mel Shahbazian 3 The façade of The Bruce 4 Elizabeth and Dunkin Bourgoin, Lauren and Matt Burke 5 Susan Weis with some stunning blooms 6 Mary-Kate O’Hare, Whitney Rosenberg 7 Margaret Graves, Kate Elliott-Moskwa, Mor Segal 8 Whitney Rosenberg, Bobbi Eggers, Heidi Smith 9 Jeff Abramoff, Erica and Matt Naidorf 10 Marcy Axelrod 11 Silvia Cruz-Pierce, Janet Cling, Jessica Wiener, Anne Janis, Amanda Wurtz 12 Chelsea Schaeffer, Courtney Bieger 13 Trevor Galhoon, Jessica Gross, Caroline Fall
BRUCE MUSEUM / Bruce Museum Greenwich
Sachiko Goodman, Sarah Camp, Evangela Brock 15 Katie Fong Biglin, Owen Biglin, Anna and Hector Sermiento 16 Jordan Hillman, Adrianna Ross, Megan Alice, Melissa Levin 17 Sean and Amy Fletcher, David and Cindy Schutzman, State Rep. Hector Arenzo, Naomi and Greg Azrak, Lisa and Wayne Cooper
18 Roberto Magana, Tracy Holton, Rafael Magana, Marcia Needleman 19 Matt Lasko, Eleanor Banco 20 Karli and Eric Goldstein 21 Nurys Alvarez, Catherine Escalante 22 Katie Fong Biglin, Rebecca Epstein 23 Kelcy Brooke, Faith D’Lucia 24 Caity Lischick, Ryan McGrath, Margaret Graves 25 Andrew Wiener, Daniel Ksepka 26 Taylor Grothe, Grace Djuranovic, Hagar Chamali
14
1 Karen Colella, Sandra and Emma Caruso 2 And they’re off… 3 Stefan and Sarah Savov with their sons, Stuart, Scott and Sandy 4 Kate Truesdell, founder of Greenwich Dance Studio (back row, second from right) with her dancers 5 Kelois Perez, Dr. Bina Park, Miriana Hernandez 6 Joannie Bradshaw, Carly Goldstein, Arliegh Cole 7 Judy Jagouzinski, Maria Manuli, Diana Inesta 8 Elisa Wilson, India Altschul, Coutney Olsen, Alexa Wilson 9 Kelly Tschantz, Karen Colella 10 Dee Mayberry, Stephanie Kiley 11 Greenwich High School cheerleaders
1 Mitch Cole, Mairead O’Sullivan, Jane Finn, Tracie Silvestro, Art Landi, Donna Bass, Cora O’Meara 2 The event’s emcee, Dave Price, weather anchor for NBC 4 New York 3 Keynote speaker Leslie Guerra 4 Emile de Neree, Monika Heimbold, Leslie Koot 5 Ed Keller, Susie and Barry Parkin, Sara Keller, Pieter Eenkema van Dijk, Yvette Eenkema van Dijk, Emily Dreas
Forever Young
SoundWaters recently hosted 325 wildly dressed guests for its Senior Prom-themed Tall Ships Ball at Riverside Yacht Club. The evening featured lots of big hair, powder-blue tuxedos and ruffled shirts as guests relived their high school memories. NBC 4 New York’s Dave Price “chaperoned” the event, serving as the night’s emcee. Speaker Leslie Guerra shared her journey from a seven-year-old SoundWaters student to her current role as a professional climate researcher. The “prom” raised more than $400,000 in scholarship funds for SoundWaters education, camp and workforce programs. soundwaters.org G
John’s Island
Welcome to John’s Island. A cherished ocean-to-river haven enjoyed by generations who have discovered the undeniable allure of life by the sea in Vero Beach, Florida. A picturesque seaside landscape and near perfect climate complement the serene offerings, each of which combine luxury with traditional appeal, architectural details, spacious living areas, and lush grounds. Discover the ideal place to call home with beachside bliss in Florida...
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by alison nichols gray
Remy and Kevin were coworkers at Turner Broadcasting for a year before the timing was right, and Kevin asked Remy out for a drink. One drink turned into a comedy show and a night full of sparks. Four years later, while on a trip to Puerto Rico as the sun was setting, Kevin asked Remy to marry him. Remy’s family was there to celebrate with dinner on the beach.
Michael Pease, the couple’s friend and past coworker, officiated at the ceremony at Florentine Gardens in New Jersey, where the reception followed. The bride’s parents, owners of the wildly popular Aux Délices restaurants, made the cake for the reception—obviously.
The bride, daughter of Debra and Gregory Addonizio of Greenwich, graduated from Greenwich High School and Tulane University. Remy is in advertising sales for Warner Bros. Discovery in New York City.
The groom, son of Raymond Mercurio of Dallas and Patrica Mercurio of New Jersey, graduated from Saint John Vianney High School and West Virginia University. Kevin works in advertising sales for Premion in New York City.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Italy before returning home to Stamford.
1 Remy with her bridesmaids 2 The newlyweds 3 Here comes the bride! 4 Sealed with a kiss! 5 Cole and Debra Addonizio, Remy Mercurio, Greg and Gray Addonizio 6 The wedding party 7 The first dance 8 Aerial view of the guests 9 Kevin and Remy having the time of their lives
HOW
TRAGEDY INSPIRED ONE GREENWICH NATIVE TO HELP FAMILIES CAPTURE WHAT MATTERS MOST
BY BETH COONEY FITZPATRICK
Donald, Claudette, Jody and Charlie Greene
Charlie Greene
A few days after his tenth birthday, he lost his father, Donald Freeman Greene, during the September 11 terrorist attacks on America. His dad was traveling on hijacked United Flight 93 when it crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, its forty passengers and crew immortalized for their heroic efforts to retake the plane.
Two decades later, his widow, Claudette Greene, who went on to raise Charlie and his younger sister, Jody, in Greenwich on her own, was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer.
Since Claudette’s advanced cancer came with what is so often a grim prognosis, Greene and his sister confronted the heartbreaking prospect of losing another parent too soon.
“And having done it before, when we were so young, we understood perhaps more profoundly than most what would be lost if she didn’t survive,” says Greene. “And one of those things was her stories, her memories. So, facing her mortality, we had this incredible need to document these things. And I just began asking her questions about her life and recording her answers.”
From Charlie’s experiences interviewing and recording Claudette’s life stories, came the idea for Remento, the four-year-old digital family storytelling platform he pitched last September to five high-rolling Shark Tank investors.
The 34-year-old Greenwich High School grad conceived of the startup and then launched it with the help of co-founder and CTO Alex Massonneau, a friend he had met through a Harvard Business School connection. It is a digital space that allows even the most techphobic Baby Boomer to affordably document important life stories—with the option of transforming them into beautiful hardcover books—using a few clicks on their smartphones and the power of artificial intelligence.
While the emotional urgency triggered by Claudette’s diagnosis had inspired Remento, as Greene stood before the Sharks—for this episode, a panel that included tech billionaire Mark Cuban, venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, QVC queen Lori Grenier and Kind Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky—he instinctively knew that his family’s more public personal tragedy
would need to punctuate his narrative.
Although the Greenes have long been involved in supporting United Flight 93 memorials, Charlie shared their reluctance to discuss their family tragedy in ways that might be perceived as self-serving.
“For anyone who lost a parent that day, I think there’s always been this fine line you walk between navigating your own experience when it was also part of a “capital T” tragedy that everyone experienced in some way,” he explains. “For me, figuring out how to do that has always been a journey.”
Yet, he also knew from his experiences, which included recording an oral history of his 9/11 recollections for the United 93 Flight Memorial in Shanksville, that his tragic loss might help persuade the Sharks as to why this passion project devoted to preserving family stories mattered.
“Having been able to record memories with one parent, I also knew how much I had wished I could do it with another,” he says. “For me, it was never a sales pitch. I knew the importance, because it was part of my lived experience.” »
above: Facing the Sharks is no easy task, yet Charlie got—and kept—thier attention. below: Billionaire Mark Cuban would eventually bite.
ONE PROMPT AT A TIME
The Remento platform, with its speechto-story technology was created with older adults uncomfortable with the complexities of technology in mind. Customers who signup for a $99 one-year subscription (the price at press time), receive a weekly prompt via email or text message. The prompt can be a question or photo from their past, which can be submitted by family members. The prompt recipient can then click a button to record or type an answer. Their recollections are then stored, along with personal photos the user or family members upload, and ultimately transformed into a bound book written with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The platform allows users to edit and refine the content, but Remento creates the first draft and ultimately delivers the finished product.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Even though he would love you to invest in a Remento subscription, Charlie Greene encourages everyone to spend more time asking loved ones detailed questions about their life experiences. He suggests going for specificity to elicit richer, more detailed anecdotes.
SOME OF HIS FAVORITE QUESTIONS TO ASK
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE GROWING UP?
HOW DID YOU GET TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS A CHILD?
WHAT'S ONE SMELL YOU ASSOCIATE WITH YOUR CHILDHOOD?
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY GROWING UP?
IF YOU were giving a tour of your hometown, what wouLD BE THE FIRST STOP?
WHAT'S THE MOST SCARED YOU REMEMBER BEING AS A KID?
TELL ME ABOUT A TIME YOU FELT REALLY PROUD OF YOURSELF.
above: The easy prompts; a finished compilation left: Charlie doing what he does best—listening to his mom's stories.
DIVING IN
Greene says the moving nine-minute segment viewers saw when Shark Tank’s March 7 episode featuring Remento first aired is a remarkably accurate portrayal of his Tank time, even though his vetting actually took several intense hours. “I was being grilled nonstop,” he recalls. “But it was also a very, very emotional day. What you saw, despite everything you’ve heard about reality television, was about as genuine and real as it gets.”
Fans of the long-running ABC series know that the Sharks can deliver some vicious soundbites while vetting an entrepreneur’s pitch. They’ll groan at dismal sales figures, roll their eyes at inflated business valuations, and unsparingly tell a hopeful contestant— even the ones they seem to like—that their startups are doomed. This brutal due diligence often ends with the Sharks declaring, one by one, “I’m out.”
In Greene’s case, the rapt panel leaned more in than out. Lubetsky eventually stopped him mid-sentence to marvel at his polished
presentation, pressing for details about his background. Greene, who went to Brown after Greenwich High, told them about his Harvard MBA, his work as a speechwriter in the Obama White House (while still in his twenties) and eventually how he lost his dad in 2001.
He explained how the challenges his family faced—collecting pieces of his father’s personal history for 9/11 memorials and museums, along with his mom’s devastating diagnosis— infused his passion for Remento’s success.
As the entrepreneur spoke, Grenier’s eyes welled, Corcoran wiped aways tears, and Lubetsky broke into sobs as he told Greene, “He [your father] would be so proud of you, just to see you stand here with such strength and beauty and presence.” Even the notoriously cutthroat O’Leary—who dubs himself “Mr. Wonderful” in self-mockery—seemed genuinely moved, simply saying, “Wow.”
“I felt incredibly grateful to be able to do that, as hard as it was, with a smile on my face and in that moment be incredibly grateful for what my family had overcome,” Greene says.
Not that he won the room on emotion. There
were tough questions about an infusion of venture capital investments during Remento’s infancy—$4 million total—that made some of the Sharks skittish.
Ultimately, it was Cuban—the Shark Greene most wanted to snare—who saw past those concerns and wanted in, investing $300,000 in return for a 10 percent stake in the company.
LIFE AFTER THE TANK
Two months after the episode aired, Greene sits down for coffee not far from Remento’s headquarters in Culver City, California, reflecting on what’s happened since he and Cuban sealed their televised deal with a hug.
The entrepreneur and his wife, Lily, an environmental lawyer he met at Brown, now live nearby in an L.A. beachside neighborhood with their one-year-old daughter, Sloane. This sunny base positions Remento closer to some of the world’s best tech talent. “Outside of the Silicon Valley, L.A. is really
above: Charlie with his wife, Lily, daughter, Sloane, and pup, Rosie
the place to be for the kind of people we need to grow the company,” he explains. Which brings the CEO exciting post-Shark Tank news. The month after the episode aired was the best in the company’s relatively short history. Remento has now collected more than 350,000 digitized stories, with projections to hit the 500,000 mark this month. There’s also a new partnership with Legacybox, which Greene says will make it easier for Remento’s users to digitize physical photos and record the stories behind them.
Cuban is not only an investor, he’s a valued and regular consultant, also sharing the expertise of his gifted technology team with Remento’s ten employees. “Mark has this gift for just cutting through the noise and understanding what we need to do and how to do it,” says Greene. “His brilliance, his masterful understanding of technology and his belief in the importance of what we are trying to do is exactly what we wanted and needed. It has already been an incredible collaboration.”
Even better is some personal news. Claudette Greene, who watched her son’s Shark Tank episode with friends in Portland, Maine, is in remission and says she’s “feeling great.”
As Remento’s most prolific beta tester, Claudette knew about the Cuban deal before March. So, she had fun filling her living room with friends not in on the closely guarded secret. “They were sitting on the edge of their chairs waiting to see what happened. And everyone was just screaming when he made that deal with Mark,” she says. “And of course, I absolutely loved it.”
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
Not that her son’s success as a pitchman surprised Claudette. “As a little kid, he was always playing ringmaster or holding a microphone pretending he was an anchor on CNN,” she says with a laugh. “I would say he was kind of ready for that moment.”
At Greenwich High, where Charlie Greene says “even my friends would have called
He [your father] would be so proud of you ..."
— Daniel Lubetzky, Shark and Kind Snacks founder
me a nerd,” he skied varsity and explored a burgeoning interest in filmmaking. Senior year, he and classmate Eliza McNitt (who graced this magazine’s cover for her work in 2018) won a C-SPAN student contest for their eightminute documentary Requiem for a Honeybee, which examined the environmental impact of collapsing bee colonies. “That prize included a big moment when the C-SPAN bus showed up at Greenwich High. As cool as it was, it sealed my nerd reputation,” Charlie says.
After Brown, Charlie considered a career in broadcast journalism, working for the NBC Evening News with Brian Williams before moving on to roles in strategic communications and that dream of a White House speechwriting gig.
When that job unceremoniously concluded with President Donald Trump’s election, he headed to Harvard for his MBA. While that might seem like a curious pivot, Greene says that work at 21st Century Fox and streaming giant Hulu crystalized his interest in digital media and new modes of storytelling, ultimately leading him to Remento.
Greene is clearly excited about the exposure Shark Tank has brought his young company, because it could yield as many dividends for his growing team and customers as it could for investors. “I didn’t do this [Shark Tank] for a nine-minute commercial for Remento,” he says. “I did it because one of my goals is to recruit A-level talent. And because I’m just that passionate about imparting this idea that telling our stories is important.”
that passionate about imparting this idea that
about the emotional gifts that can come from
He pauses to share a personal anecdote about the emotional gifts that can come from discovering even the most nuanced things about loved ones past or present.
“My parents had a video camera, and they went through a phase early in our lives where they recorded everything we did,” he says. That treasure trove of footage includes a video of an awestruck Donald Greene holding Charlie moments after his birth. As precious as that archived moment is, it’s not that video that means the most to Charlie. That would be the video of his dad chomping on a bagel at the kitchen table while simultaneously fretting to his mother about whether he’s installed infant Charlie’s car seat correctly.
Now that Charlie is a dad, too, that car seat video hits home; especially after navigating the joyful yet bleary-eyed, first year of parenthood with Sloane. “As a new father, seeing my dad’s vulnerability like that, it somehow feels like a shared experience,” he says. “It’s a little thing in a way, but something I relate to so much.”
These are the kinds of moments he hopes that Remento’s customers can capture and hold onto for generations.
“Every day, people go to plan funerals, and they don’t know the most basic things about their loved ones,” he says. “What was their first job? What was their wedding like? What do you remember about the day I was born?” This is the kind of thing we need to be asking, but we don’t until it’s too late.”
“That’s what drives me,” he says. “I believe with all my heart that every single person who uses this platform will come to believe that it’s one of the most important things they’ve ever done. And I know the people who love them are going to believe that, too.” remento.com G of
Charlie with his mom, Claudette, and sister, Jody
by jill johnson mann
photography by katharine calderwood
The teen years are tough for everyone. There are the teens themselves, saddled with that underdeveloped prefrontal cortex; the parents, watching their agreeable pre-teens morph into hormone-riddled shells of their former selves; the siblings, victims of a lot of yelling or silence, equally torturous.
Fortunately, this is not a story about the trials and tribulations of teenagehood. In fact, this section is about teens who have taken this awkward phase and its addictive gadgets by the horns, like a scrawny 17-year-old cowboy on the wildest bull in the arena, and glided through as though the rodeo paddock were a dressage ring.
These are the teens who are juggling AP classes, varsity sports, school clubs, performing arts and community service while designing robotic arms for operating rooms in their spare time (and we are not talking about theoretical operating rooms). These are kids donning black belts in Taekwondo class and winning top honors in international engineering contests while their peers are scrolling through TikTok. These are teens who are heading to Syracuse to play basketball and Notre Dame to play football, with academic honors that match their prowess on the court and field.
Did their parents ever experience the teen eye roll? We didn’t ask. But we did ask these teens to share their insights on acing the high school experience and some scoop on their awe-inspiring accomplishments. Their responses sure make the whole teen angst thing seem like a myth.
1D LLON MALTESE
Asenior this year at King School, Dillon Maltese has accomplished more than most people twice his age. With a passion for robotics and engineering and expertise in coding, Dillon’s innovations run the gamut from a self-driving car to a custom graphics engine to a robotic hand. While he does a lot of building in his garage in Greenwich (his self-made makerspace), he also has worked alongside professionals in labs where life-saving research takes place.
During an internship through King’s ASPIRE program, in a lab with surgeons and medical professionals at Weill Cornell, Dillon noticed problems with the robotic tools being used. He then developed a voicecontrolled robotic arm that assists surgeons during procedures. He now spends much of his free time refining the arm, which, as of press time, was on track for patenting and use in the operating room by the end of the summer.
“Other robotic tools are used to perform surgeries directly, while mine is designed to aid surgeons during operations,” explains Dillon. “Also, all other robotic systems in the operating room currently use a master-slave control system. This means that it mimics a surgeon’s movements instead of
completing independent tasks on its own. My arm utilizes voice activation to enable autonomous operation, adding a ‘third-arm’ capability that other systems currently lack.”
Dillon took his first coding workshop before kindergarten, and he rapidly became SummerTech’s youngest instructor in the camp’s history. He now teaches middle- through high-schoolers and mentors year-round at SummerTech365. Moreover, he launched Project Jamaica, a nonprofit organization that brings coding instruction to underprivileged students via Zoom. The top student was flown in for two weeks at SummerTech last summer.
Dillon is part of King’s Math Team, Varsity Debate Team and STEM Club. He leads the Robotics Club, co-founded the school’s Esports Team and finds time to help younger students in the AfterCare program and Fellowship Fridays. The entrepreneur also launched his own custom keyboard business, designing and selling themed keyboards.
On the athletic field, Dillon plays for the King Baseball Team and serves as the goalkeeper for Varsity Soccer. Did we mention he holds a black belt in Taekwondo?
Highlights of Dillon’s many honors include: First
Place in Engineering at the 2024 International Forum on Research Excellence; Sigma Xi National Science Honors Society; one of 16 students statewide selected to present at the 2025 Junior Science and Humanities Symposium; first place in Applied Technology, third place in Physical Sciences, and a finalist in Biotechnology at the 2025 Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair (competing against 400 students).
Dillon plans to pursue a degree in robotics or mechatronics, with a goal of making a lasting impact through the power of technology and design. »
When my internship started, I developed imposter syndrome. I was by far the youngest and least experienced. I felt pressure to prove myself. I silenced that voice by accepting that growth comes from moments of uncertainty. Overcoming this has made me more confident, resilient and willing to take risks.
Dr. Schulman empowered me to conduct research as a high school student, leading to success in science fairs and real-world innovation. Mr. Fischthal taught me core engineering skills and helped me discover my passion. Mr. Hyatt sparked my love for physics, showing me how deeply it connects to engineering.
I used to obsess over what came next, what needed to be done and what I hadn’t achieved. I’ve learned not to let the pressure of the future steal the joy of the now. This skill of separating aspects of my life has not only made times more enjoyable but also helped me become more efficient, create more memories and even feel like there were sometimes more than 24 hours in a day.
As an inventor, I live by: Dream big. Start small. Act now. It is essential to dream big to create novel ideas. Starting small keeps the goal within reach. There is never a better time to start than now. The first step is the most challenging, but you will not regret having taken it.
2CHARLOTTE PASTEL
Just this spring, we highlighted the growing popularity of squash as a youth sport. Charlotte Pastel is a good decade ahead of us. The Greenwich resident started playing tennis at four (her dad, Jonathan, played in college and competitively on tours) and added squash at six. She was the No. 1 player on Greenwich Academy’s squash team, which won the High School Division I National Title all four years she was on the team. She also trains with Rodney Martin at Ox Ridge Riding & Raquet Club in Darien. In 2023, she was the National Champion in the U16 category. At press time, Charlotte was ranked No. 2 in the nation in the U19 girls category and preparing for the World Squash Junior Championships in Egypt.
Charlotte is known for her nerves of steel but also her humor, humility and eagerness to cheer on her teammates.
“I’m inspired by the players I’m surrounded by and my coaches, who push me to get a little better each day,” she says. “Knowing results will come from working hard makes me have a positive attitude. I’m also motivated by the health aspect; the workouts make me feel great.”
Early in my sophomore year, I had some awful results. It’s easy to get in your head in this sport; you’re in a box with one other person. I’ve learned that the mental side plays such a big role. Talking to a sports psychologist was a huge help. It’s totally normal to have those negative thoughts, but it’s more about how long you stay in that mindset. I acknowledge the thoughts but don’t stay in that negative place too long.
Miss Blunden, who taught Honors Civil Rights. She is the most genuine person, with the biggest heart. We took a trip to the South with the class, and it was so impactful, learning what it was like for people in the Civil Rights Movement. I will never forget it.
Try to stay in the moment as much as possible. Appreciate time with the people you love, and enjoy each precious moment in the present.
She pursued honors and AP coursework across the disciplines and held leadership roles in every realm, including as a Peer Leader and President of the Athletic Board. Her stellar record in the classroom and on the field earned her a place at the University of Virginia, where she will play on the squash team.
Charlotte also fundraises for Squash Out Cancer and Squash Haven in New Haven. “The program raises money for kids in the New Haven area to have help with tutoring and to play squash,” she explains. “A lot of them end up playing squash in college.”
Even while reaching a worldclass level in squash, Charlotte continued to play varsity tennis at Greenwich Academy and captained both the squash and tennis teams last year. “Playing on the tennis team was probably my favorite part of my high school experience,” she says.
With squash recently added to the Olympics, Charlotte will keep her eye on that ball for an exciting goal after college. »
So much! I came from Greenwich Country Day School, where I’d been my whole life. For the first two weeks at GA, I was miserable. I just wanted to go back to where things felt comfortable. My parents encouraged me to trust this and take it slow. It honestly took the whole year to adjust. In English class, I wrote about my freshman experience and how much I wish I could tell that girl: it will all work out. The anxious feeling, the nerves, feeling like you don’t belong—it’s all part of it. I know I’ll probably have those feelings at UVA. Change is good, but it’s not easy at all. The second half of high school I realized people are so focused on themselves, you have to do what makes you happy and not be afraid of people judging you.
LIFE
Informed.
Great teachers are the key to navigating and decoding today’s vast online landscape. In the classroom and far beyond, our faculty brings years of experience, an impressive complement of advanced degrees, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing and educating our boys.
Rye Country Day School senior Dominique Alvarez is such a devoted musical theater teen that each year she performs in five to six musicals. She is also a member of RCDS’s concert choir and the highly selective WildScats a cappella group.
“My parents took me to see Wicked when I was four,” recalls Dominique, “and I said, ‘Mom, I need to do that’!” She has been at it since kindergarten. Two of her favorite roles are Mimi in Rent (which she played at Random Farms) and Cady Heron in Mean Girls. “I played Cady sophomore year,” says Dominique. “Freshman year I had a theater slump. I was nervous, worried about what other people were thinking
and about keeping up with my academics, so I stopped doing theater. It was one of the lower times in my life because of not doing what I love. Cady was experiencing all the same struggles I was. I really found myself in Cady. She kind of led me back into the theater. Mimi was the first role I played that wasn’t super-bubbly and charismatic. Rent is so important right now because of all the conflict in our world. I’m happy that I got to share that story with a lot of people.”
Dominique loves mentoring younger students as a Peer Leader, and she’s also an enthusiastic tour guide for prospective students and a CCD co-teacher on Sundays. Inspired by her experiences at French Woods performing arts camp, Dominique is involved in events and fundraisers to give kids summer camp experiences, in her role as co-president of SupportSCOPE and as part of the Junior Leadership Council for SCOPE.
Dominique is uniquely qualified to work with autistic kids in Random Farms workshop program. “It has been really fulfilling,” she says of her assistant director role there. “I have two brothers on the spectrum. It takes a toll on the family and also on the kids.It’s harder for them to get involved in things they love. It’s inspiring just knowing that theater helped save my life, so I hope they get the experience of doing something they love.”
A powerhouse onstage and off, Dominique plans to pursue a BFA in musical theater after high school and make her way to Broadway. DOMINIQUE
She also participates in fundraising cabarets and is working on her own cabaret to promote Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in the performing arts.
STEVEN CSAK
At age six, Steven Csak joined the theater program at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, and a new world opened up to him. “It was daunting at that age, but that was the single biggest contribution to who I am today,” says Steven. “I would have never been introduced to so many people or many aspects of who I am, if I hadn’t stepped through those doors all that time ago. But also, if there hadn’t been such a positive community to help me get through moments of weakness. Even as I grew older, the club was a staple in my life.” Along the way, Steven also became enamored with fashion, and his dapper attire is part of what makes him stand out in life as onstage.
Steven is part of the National Thespian Society and is a passionate writer, inspired by Shakespeare. He wrote and directed pieces during high school. “These projects were primarily in short form, scenes between two and ten minutes long,” he explains, “which I find rather restrictive, so I’m looking forward to working on longer projects.”
Steven is intrigued by screenwriting but sees a writer/director role as ideal, as otherwise, “once you hand in the script, it’s not yours anymore.”
He enjoys the freedom of literary writing but has not hung up his actor hat. “Anything can happen.
I can decide to take up painting in college. It is really up to time, and time alone,” he says.
Steven has enjoyed many summers at Camp Simmons, including several volunteering as a counselor in training and several working as a counselor. “I love watching children discover something they never thought they would enjoy,” he says. “The format of cycling every kid through every station allows everyone to find at least one thing they really connect with, and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Steven will attend Hofstra this fall. “Hofstra’s strong core curriculum will hopefully give me a bit of a balance,” he says. “Though I know I want to pursue something in the arts, I know that isn’t exactly stable, so I plan to double-major.” »
Learning to ignore what other people thought of me. Funnily enough, it let me better myself in ways previously unavailable. It helps you find your own voice. Also, when I started dressing better, people became more blunt, and it was easier to tell who I did and didn’t want to hang out with. It’s almost a litmus test for me as to who I devote my energy to.
Learning that you are your own biggest critic. I used to be really scared about what other people were thinking of me and that would drive all of my actions. I’ve learned over time it’s important to pursue what you love, and you don’t need to change for other people. If people are making fun of you for doing something you love, then you probably aren’t hanging out with the right people.
STEVEN CSAK
STEVEN
That he’s going to military school, to scare him into working harder than I ever did. But in all seriousness, I would tell him not to be afraid to be vulnerable around his friends. Connections are made through a shared vulnerability, not an acrylic shell of masculinity. It might not be ‘cool’ to show emotion or to care, but it is much more fulfilling. Put yourself out there, and live.
My theater director at Open Arts Alliance, Rocco Natale. Every step of the way, he found different ways to challenge me to help me become the performer I am.
Everything will be forgotten, everything, so you might as well just try to enjoy your own life. In Greenwich, I am surrounded by people who are focused on large ideas of success and taking on the world. I used to follow this to a different extent—to be remembered, to have people look back on whatever I did and be grateful for my existence. But I realized recently that such an undertaking is pointless. Eventually, humanity will die out, the sun will explode, taking Earth with it, and not even a scruple of this earth will live to be documented by whoever comes after us. If I can look back on my existence and say I enjoyed and lived every second of it, I will be better off than even the wealthiest.
ALVAREZ
DOMINIQE
Do what you love. There is so much pressure freshman year to get everything done, to do well academically and do all the extracurriculars, because it’s when you start thinking about college. But in actuality, you should just be doing what you love, because when you love something, you are better at it. Don’t try to make yourself somebody you are not.
My tenth-grade English teacher, Mr. Cerpa. When I first met him, I wasn’t a great writer. He really encouraged me to get in touch with my Asian heritage and being Filipina. I’m first-generation— my parents both grew up there and we take trips there—but I was kind of trained to brush past the fact that I was Filipina. He assigned this project where he had us look at our family heritage. It was the first time I really talked to my parents about my ancestors. I’m really grateful to him, because now I’m really passionate about my heritage.
Follow your dreams. Dreams are so important. They drive what you do. What your dream is says a lot about you. »
Empower your thinking
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CALiJAH JOSEPH
The past year has been momentous for Calijah Joseph. He graduated from Greenwich High School and was named Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich’s 2025 Youth of the Year.
Calijah has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club for 13 years. He was co-adviser of the Touch Club (the middle school community service club) and handled public relations for the Keystone Club (the high school community service club).
Since 2023, Calijah was also a part-time staff member. Through the Keystone Club, he has volunteered for Greenwich Green & Clean, Live Like Luke, Town Paper Shredding Day, Riverside Run and other community events.
He names Midnight Run as one of his most fulfilling service activities. “We would ask people if they have any clothes or toiletries to donate, and they would give it to us,” he explains. “We made a big care package, and we would bring it to five different spots around the city from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Hint: That’s where it got the name Midnight Run.” Calijah adds, “I also work with kids all the time, and I love working with them.”
This fall, Calijah will begin his studies at Western Connecticut State University, where he plans
to major in criminal justice and minor in art history. “After four years, I would like to go to John Jay for two years and get my immigration law degree,” he says. “Just seeing the people who need help brings me a warm feeling in my heart; I would love to help and give back to them.”
Calijah has seen the struggles of immigrants in the community firsthand. He credits one of his Greenwich High School teachers, Mr. Schopick, and a law school field trip with opening his eyes to the possibility of pursuing a career as a lawyer. “His passion for the subject was contagious, and it made me see the world in a new way,” he says. »
Living with dyslexia. For as long as I can remember, words on a page would blur together, and trying to express myself in writing felt frustrating and overwhelming. But I started reading more, little by little. I picked books that interested me. I found strategies that helped—like reading out loud and using audiobooks. Over time, something amazing happened: reading didn’t feel quite as impossible anymore. Pushing myself has helped me build confidence. Dyslexia may be a part of who I am, but it doesn’t define me. Instead, it has taught me perseverance, patience and the value of hard work.
Stay in class, don’t skip, and always give your best effort. Study smarter and more often. It’s not about being perfect but about putting in consistent effort and making progress day by day. I’d remind myself to believe in who I am and who I can become. There will be moments of doubt; the key is to keep going. High school is about building habits, learning resilience and setting the foundation for the future. It all starts with showing up up and doing the work.
Your struggle is your strength. What makes life harder for you today will make you stronger tomorrow.
From the first day of Law and America class, Mr. Schopick made the subject come alive. The highlight of the class was a field trip to visit law schools. Walking those halls, seeing the students studying and listening to speakers talk about their journeys made something click in me. I realized I want to go into immigration law. I’ve seen firsthand how immigration impacts people and families, and I want to help make that process fair and just. Mr. Schopick helped me believe that someone with my background and challenges could succeed in a field like law.
SLS prepared Camdyn for college academically and athletically. The challenging coursework helped her grow as a student and learn to manage her time effectively. The athletic program helped build her leadership skills, communicate more effectively, and be a positive influence on and off the court. Both our daughters went to SLS and have succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. We feel grateful to be part of the SLS family.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious) day school for grades 5-12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. DiscoverYour Potential at SLS.
The Nelson family of Greenwich: Mackenzie ‘23, Robbie, Camdyn ‘25, and Drury
MATTY AUGUSTINE
Mis etched in my memory not just because we won, but because of what it represented: the power of commitment, the brotherhood, the strength of a team and the pride that comes from earning something the hard way.”
Off the field, Matty works hard to make a difference. He was part of the Breast Cancer Alliance teen committee. “My grandmother and aunt are both breast cancer survivors,” he says. “Unfortunately, almost everyone I know has been affected by breast cancer in some way.”
atty Augustine was a student at Brunswick for fifteen years. It might be tough to graduate and move on after that long … without the lure of 33 Division 1 football offers.
The six-foot-seven, 290-pound offensive lineman had quite the high school football career. Matty was a three-time first-team All-League and two-time First-Team All-New England player. He was also voted captain by his teammates both junior and senior year and played basketball throughout high school as well.
Matty was a Riverside Gator when he was little but didn’t like tackling kids. “I was kind of a gentle giant,” he says. He focused on basketball until the football bug bit him in high school. Winning the NEPSAC Mike Silipo Bowl in 2022 was a highlight.
“When the final whistle blew and we walked off the field as champions, the feeling was indescribable,” recalls Matty. “All the blood, sweat and sacrifice had been worth it. That moment
Matty also mentored the lower and middle schoolers at Brunswick to teach them about sportsmanship and brotherhood. “I always tried to instill in them what I had learned from the older guys when I was young,” he says. He is the youngest of four and cherishes time with his close-knit family, especially engaging in some friendly competition in one of the many sports they love.
And where did he land with the dozens of college offers?
Cue the marching band drum roll: Notre Dame! “One of the main reasons I chose Notre Dame is that it reminds me of Brunswick, with the close-knit community and sense of tradition. I have already found family there with my football team,” he says.
He plans to major in finance and has “an entrepreneurial streak.” He also dreams of the NFL but says, “Realistically, if that doesn’t happen, I know I am getting an amazing education at Notre Dame.” »
Last spring, I was walking into my grandmother’s funeral when a driver, who was high on drugs, hit me from behind. The next thing I remember was waking up on the ground in excruciating pain and then holding my family’s hands tightly, telling them I loved them. I had no idea how bad my injuries were. By some miracle, and my grandmother watching over me, I walked away with minor injuries and some lingering PTSD. My size helped protect me physically, but it was my family who helped me heal emotionally. That experience taught me that life can change in an instant, and with the love and support of your family, you can survive anything.
“To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail.”
—Michael Jordan
The obvious answer would be my head of school, Mr. Philip, or my football coach, Coach Cuddy. They’ve both been pillars in my life. But there’s someone who has had just as deep of an impact but doesn’t always get the recognition—Mrs. Anderson, our school counselor. Her impact is quiet, but it’s lifelong. I know without a doubt that I wouldn’t be who I am—or where I am—without her.
Stop letting sports consume your entire mindset. I treated football like it was the only thing that mattered, but over time I learned that academics create the foundation for everything else. Once I started prioritizing my studies, I became more confident, consistent and less stressed. Ironically, that shift made me even better at football. Success in sports is built on discipline, and that starts with how you manage your time off the field.
No Ceiling On Learning
Every child is unique, and so is the way they learn. At Whitby, our teachers take the time to truly know your child — their strengths, their challenges, and how they learn best. We unlock their full potential, fostering confidence, curiosity, and a global mindset.
Discover how we inspire limitless learning for your child.
Montessori Children’s House 18 months–Kindergarten International Baccalaureate Grades 1–8
ADMISSIONS EVENTS Early Childhood Exploration Wednesday, October 8th at 9:30am All School Open House Sunday, October 26th at 11am
Greenwich, CT |
The Power of Wonder
The Path to Global Impact
At King, questions are just the beginning. Our inquiry-based model turns curiosity into meaningful discovery, helping students draw connections across disciplines through a global lens.
Because in this interconnected society, we’re not just educating scholars – we're shaping engaged citizens of the world.
JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, October 5 kingschoolct.org
King School is a PreK-12 independent, co-ed day school located in northern Stamford that educates students of Fairfield and Westchester counties.
SOLLeNNE EMMA CAMDYNNELSON
Emma Sollenne is following in her big sister’s footsteps. Ava Sollenne was honored in this section two years ago. That pattern of following her sister goes way back. “I fell in love with basketball when I was a toddler in my driveway, getting lessons from Ava,” says the St. Luke’s graduate.
“Watching her games as a kid inspired me to be just like her as a player. Family is a huge part of my life, and I am so grateful to have a built-in coach and role model.”
The driveway lessons worked. Emma played on St. Luke’s varsity basketball team throughout high school and helped the team secure its first NEPSAC Championship in 2023. In the 2023–2024 school year, she received an FAA honorable mention. For her senior year season, she was awarded Second Team All-FAA honors and was named a NEPSAC All-Star Player.
“My most proud accomplishment of my basketball career has been my journey in earning my Division I offer from Mercyhurst University,” says Emma. “When I traveled with my AAU team to our final tournament in Kentucky last July, I didn’t have a Division 1 offer that appealed to me. The end of the recruiting process was nearing, and the upcoming 24 games my team would play back-to-back felt intimidating.
But I knew all I could do was put my best foot forward in every game. In the end, the Mercyhurst coaches told me I was the most consistent player in the tournament, and for me, that’s one of my proudest accomplishments.”
Emma also played on St. Luke’s varsity volleyball team for three years and was captain senior year. She was a member of St. Luke’s Captain’s Council and won the Teddy Balkind Memorial Award for her impact as a teammate and player.
A devoted animal advocate, Emma volunteers at Lucky Dog Refuge. She was also a volunteer coach/mentor at High Rise Basketball Camp, a Greenwich Boys & Girls Club basketball mentor, and participant in Relay for Life. She is an assistant Sunday School teacher at Sacred Heart Church in Greenwich.
“My faith has been a big part of my journey as a person, athlete and student,” she comments. “I’m proud to help the next generation at Sacred Heart have the same great experience there that I’ve had.”
A top student, Emma won awards in history, math, science and world language, and she is a member of St. Luke’s Cum Laude Society. She will major in cybersecurity at Mercyhurst. »
In her senior year at St. Luke’s, Camdyn (“Cam”) Nelson aced calculus, played varsity soccer and volunteered with multiple charities, while also dribbling her way to 1,000 points in her young basketball career. This young woman is unstoppable on the court and in the classroom, so it’s no surprise she will be playing Division 1 basketball for Syracuse University, where she will be a student in the Whitman School of Business this fall.
Camdyn made the varsity basketball team her freshman year at St. Luke’s and was elected captain of the team junior year. She is a NEPSAC Class B Champion (2022–2023), NEPSAC Class B Player of the Year (2023–2024 and 2024–2025), two-time FAA Champion and three-time FAA All-League First Team. She made it to the FAA finals every year of her high school career and was named JCC Schoolgirl Classic MVP in 2025 and Gatorade 2024-2025 Player of the Year.
Camdyn also played AAU Basketball with the Empire State Blue Flames from third grade on and was named to the Select 40 1st Team. Of these accolades, she says: “Hitting the 1,000 points was definitely a big one for me, because it was beyond the number. It showed all the hard work and dedication and practices, along with the help of my teammates, coaches and family. Gatorade Player of
the Year was also rewarding. That was a goal I had been working toward.”
Camdyn wouldn’t have had any trouble calculating those 1,000 points, because she won St. Luke’s Math Award in 2023. Teachers praised her ability to balance rigorous courses with an elite athlete’s schedule. Along with her cousins, Camden launched a charity called Kids Know Best. “My cousin was diagnosed with cancer. He is cancer-free now,” says Camden. “It’s an organization to fundraise to pay for camps for siblings of cancer patients.” She has also enjoyed volunteering for Filling in the Blanks. “It’s a food organization, where we packaged food up to give to people around the world,” she explains. “I did that throughout high school.” She was a member of SLS Midnight Run Club from ninth through twelfth grades and helped to organize clothing and food drives for local homeless shelters.
Camdyn was also a camp counselor for High Rise Basketball Program, volunteer camp counselor for Greenwich YMCA and ran her own basketball training program for youth players. She hopes to stay involved in basketball in some capacity in her career, possibly pursuing sports medicine or broadcasting. »
A big challenge was losing our head basketball coach and assistant coach. There was a whole regrouping from my sophomore to my junior year. I was an upperclassman, so there were a lot of eyes on me looking for leadership. I helped the new coach get used to things, and this went beyond basketball to scheduling team bonding activities to bring us together.
My advisor/teacher, Ms. Santos—she was always someone I could lean on. Since sophomore year, we met two times a week. What she helped me with went beyond school. If I had a problem, I always knew I could go to her.
Switching from Western Midde School to St. Luke’s my freshman year. Leaving everything familiar behind and entering a new place was hard, but being true to myself helped me form new bonds and overcome the nerves I was experiencing. I learned to trust that even when a situation seems unknown and overwhelming, I will find a way to make it all work out. In the end, I am so grateful for my time at St. Luke’s and would not have wanted it any other way.
CAMDYn NELSON
Enjoy the process. There is a lot coming your way. There will be good days and bad days. Don’t compare yourselves to others. Keep working. Be a sponge. During my whole high school career, having an older sister who had all these accomplishments, I was compared to her. I loved it because it made me want to work more, but I’d also tell myself: Run your own story, learn from her but you don’t have to follow her footsteps.
Definitely be where your feet are. Live in the moment. Don’t live with regrets. Never stop learning. Learn from others, and learn from yourself.
EMMA
SOLLeNNE
I would tell my freshman self to have more confidence, and never doubt her abilities. I have learned that confidence is so powerful, and believing that you can do something is half of the battle. On and off the court, having confidence in myself has transformed both the way I play basketball and the way I live my life.
My physics teacher, Mr. Schneider, has had the biggest impact. Not only did he teach physics in creative and effective ways, he always made sure to check up on me if I looked down. Having a teacher who genuinely cares about you as a student and a person is so refreshing, especially when schoolwork gets frustrating and stressful. It was an amazing experience being one of Mr. Schneider’s students for two great years, and I hope he knows how far his acts of kindness have gone in our community at St. Luke’s.
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
—Abraham Lincoln
DYLAN EVER9
Balancing my rigorous course load and involvement in the arts and sports has always been a challenge. In the fall of sophomore year, all three intensified at the same time. The soccer team was gearing up for the FAA tournament while A Midsummer Night’s Dream was in its final weeks of rehearsal. In math class, I was using calculus to be the first to solve a murder mystery case. This was a difficult time, but in the end, I was able to memorize my 50 monologues, help lead the soccer team to the FAA final and crack the math case. That year was crucial in understanding how to proactively manage multiple passions while leaning on the support system around me.
Dr. Grene is both a great English teacher and soccer coach, and he always has a smile on his face. He has inspired me through his teaching style and insightful discussions to interpret literature from a new perspective. He is a talented musician, so we bonded over our shared love for music. From math class to the tennis court, Mr. Feder has been a constant presence in my life for three years. He’s passionate about what he does and pushes us to work hard while keeping things fun and engaging. He’s fair, honest and truly cares about his team. He’s had a big impact on my growth as a student and athlete.
Class B championship. He was All FAA First Team Tennis and FAA Tennis Tournament Doubles Champion.
Dylan has been taking piano lessons since he was five and teaching kids for the past six years. He plays piano and saxophone in GCDS jazz band and won an Outstanding Piano Solo Award in the Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Festival. He also plays piano concerts at nursing homes.
Sophomore year, Dylan landed a lead role in Legally Blonde and inspired students who hadn’t done theater before to join, creating the largest group of students GCDS has seen on stage. Dylan won a HALO Award nomination (a program that celebrates high school theater throughout Connecticut) for his performance as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
It’s in Dylan’s nature to lead. He was President of his class for two years and is going into his second year as Vice President. He also volunteers with Abilis.
Do what you love, love what you do.
DDon’t sweat the small things. In the end, everything gets sorted out, and something that might seem like a huge challenge can be solved with persistence and hard work.
ylan Ever, a senior at Greenwich Country Day School, is a modern Renaissance man with impressive athletic, musical, theatrical, academic and leadership skills.
As a varsity soccer player, Dylan helped his team achieve its first undefeated conference season and championship last year and was voted captain for this year (his fourth on varsity). Dylan has also played varsity tennis throughout high school and helped lead his team to the first undefeated season in GCDS history, winning the FAA season and tournament and the NEPSAC
“It’s hard for me to pick,” he says, when asked about his favorite activity. “I love soccer and tennis and also love playing piano, being in jazz band and learning guitar.” Dylan is an A-student, in all honors/advanced classes. “Doing well in school is a top priority, so I ensure my schoolwork comes first,” he says. “I am then able to fit in doing the things I love. There are times my packed schedule can be very challenging, since I need to be in two places at once. It is by establishing great relationships with my teachers and coaches, who are there to help me succeed, that I’m able to juggle it all.”
He hopes to play soccer on a college level, where music and math are also part of his plan. “I am an enthusiastic mathematician, and I’m passionate about music and learning about businesses and entrepreneurs. For my junior thesis, I analyzed the effects of AI on the music industry, which got me excited about pursuing something in that field.” »
FALL OPEN HOUSES
INSPIRING EXCELLENCE
Feeding curiosity. Nurturing wisdom and intellect. Practicing responsibility and compassion.
Our collaborative, outcome-oriented school community empowers students to grow into women who lead lives of purpose, leadership, and service. We transform the world, one girl at a time. Find your future with us.
All School (Kindergarten–Grade 12)—October 25 at 9:00 a.m. Barat Center (3–5 year old boys &girls)—November 7 at 9:30 a.m.
ADMISSION TOUR DAYS October 9, November 6, December 4, January 8—9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
SHGREENWICH.ORG
JUDGES
HONORING EXCELLENCE
Welcome to athome in Fairfield County magazine’s sixteenth annual A-List Awards.
We believe the strength of our design community lies in its diversity—of talent, perspective and approach. The A-List Awards are our way of honoring the people behind the spaces that inspire us most, from rising talents to industry veterans whose creativity continues to redefine the field. With an impressive range of submissions across categories, our esteemed panel of judges faced the challenging task of selecting this year’s finalists. We’re thrilled to share the full list below, along with project pages featuring images and professional credits at athomealistawards.com. Each finalist page can be easily shared, because great design deserves to be seen. We hope this year’s finalists, with their bold vision and thoughtful execution, will inspire your own design journey. The winner of each category will be revealed on September 9, 2025 at our networking gala and awards ceremony. We wish our finalists much luck, and we thank all who entered, as well as our judges and our generous sponsors, who have made this celebration possible.
LANDSCAPE: Greater Than 1 Acre
Kathryn Herman Design @kathrynhermandesign
Kathryn Herman Design New Canaan; 203-442-5848 kathrynhermandesign.com
DEANE, Inc. @kitchensbydeane DEANE, Inc. Stamford; 203-327-7008 deaneinc.com
Studio Bartolotta LLC @andrewbartolotta_aia Andrew Bartolotta Studio Bartolotta LLC Weston; 203-856-8211 studiobartolotta.archi
The Rath Project @therathproject The Rath Project Fairfield; 518-542-6268 therathproject.com
Tanner White Architects @tannerwhitearchitects
Robert Dean Architects with Studio Mason Design Co. @robertdeanarchitects @studiomasondesignco
Tanner White Architects Westport; 203-283-4749 tannerwhitearchitects.com
VanderHorn Architects with Kelly Rosen Design @vanderhornarchitects @kellyrosendesign Douglas VanderHorn VanderHorn Architects Greenwich; 203-622-7000 vanderhornarchitects.com
The sustains collaborative relationships the most respected architects and designers in the construction industry. They employ experienced, dedicated professionals and talented craftsmen to plan and execute every step of the “Hobbs Approach” for each project. Whether renovating an apartment in New York City, constructing waterfront home the Hamptons building a family retreat in Connecticut, each team is in constant communication to deliver a superior building experience from concept to completion and beyond. Hobbs Care, a division of Hobbs, Inc., is available to clients to provide comprehensive maintenance programs, The company’s success is marked by their transparency, synergy and determination to adhere to the values and client services that make the company great. Approach” for each project. Whether renovating an apartment in New York City, constructing a waterfront home in the Hamptons or building a family retreat in Connecticut, each team is in constant communication to deliver a superior building experience from concept to completion and beyond.
Hobbs, Inc.
Hobbs, Inc.
A DDRESS: Hobbs, Inc: New Canaan, CT | New York, NY Saddle River, NJ |
Bridgehampton, NY
Hobbs Care: New Canaan, CT | Saddle River, NJ
PHONE: 203-966-0726
A DDRESS: Hobbs, Inc: New Canaan, CT | New York, NY Saddle River, NJ | Bridgehampton, NY Hobbs Care: New Canaan, NJ PHONE: 203-966-0726
WEBSITE: hobbsinc.com; hobbs-care.com
Hobbs, Inc. is an award-winning builder of distinctive homes in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Brothers Scott and Ian Hobbs are proud to honor the legacy of integrity, quality and client service instilled by their grandfather and founder, Theodore deFreyne Hobbs, seventy years ago.
WEBSITE: hobbsinc.com; Hobbs, Inc. is an award-winning builder of distinctive homes in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Brothers Scott and Ian Hobbs are proud to honor the legacy of integrity, quality and client service instilled by their grandfather and founder, Theodore deFreyne Hobbs, over six decades ago.
The company sustains strong, collaborative relationships with the most respected architects and designers in the construction industry. They employ experienced, dedicated professionals and talented craftsmen to plan and execute every step of the “Hobbs
Approach” for each project. Whether renovating an apartment in New York City, constructing a waterfront home in the Hamptons or building a family retreat in Connecticut, each team is in constant communication to deliver a superior building experience from concept to completion and beyond. Hobbs Care, a division of Hobbs, Inc., is available to clients to provide comprehensive maintenance programs, renovations and continual home improvement services.
of
The company’s success is marked by their transparency, synergy and determination to adhere to the values and client services that make the company great.
Inc., is available to clients to provide comprehensive maintenance
For over 40 years, Fairview Hearthside is the Hudson Valley’s first name in hearth products. Our latest product line from Fairview Cast Stone includes fireplace surrounds in a variety of colors and textures. Please visit our newly renovated showroom at 68 Violet Avenue in Poughkeepsie, NY, offering the latest indoor and outdoor gas, wood burning and electric fireplaces, gas log sets, fire pits, and custom fireplace doors. We continue to serve builders, architects, and designers with the very best of the hearth industry and we install every product we sell.
Each project we take on involves careful thought and planning and we pride ourselves on the ability to work with the customer in choosing the fireplace that best suits their style and needs. Fairview Hearthside offers many services to complete your project, from designing the look that you want to achieve through the follow-up maintenance of your hearth product for years to come. We maintain a staff of experienced, welltraveled and fully ensured technicians, as well as specialists in our Sales/ Design team and we are confident that your project will be handled with professionalism, thoroughness, cleanliness, and with safety in mind.
Our pledge is to deliver an extraordinary service while maintaining a high level of professionalism, integrity, foresight, and fairness. We are committed to growing Fairview Hearthside through complete customer satisfaction.
Our sales team would be happy to visit your job site or home for a free estimate for your dream project! Please give us a call at (845) 4528444 or email us at info@fairviewhearthside.com and we will be happy to speak with you!
Karl Chevrolet is a proud third-generation family business founded in 1927, serving the Fairfield and Westchester County markets from New Canaan, CT. As a top-rated dealer recognized by CarFax, Cars. com, and DealerRater, Karl has built a stellar reputation through nearly 100 years of personalized service.
The dealership offers Chevrolet’s complete lineup featuring cuttingedge technology and advanced safety features at exceptional value.
From the world-class performance of Corvette to the powerful Silverado and all-electric Equinox EV, every vehicle includes the latest connectivity and driver assistance systems.
Karl’s no-hassle approach means honest MSRP pricing or better— never charging premiums or market adjustments. It’s simply the right thing to do. The dealership has become a Northeast leader in electric vehicles, excelling in sales of the Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV while actively supporting EV charging infrastructure throughout Fairfield County. From everyday transportation to rugged work trucks to the ultimate weekend drive, it’s here at Karl Chevrolet! Visit today to discover how nearly a century of trusted expertise combines with tomorrow’s automotive technology for an unmatched customer experience.
TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE: Greater Than 7,000 Square Feet
Doyle Coffin Architecture @doylecoffin Peter T. Coffin, AIA Alex T. Bellina, AIA Doyle Coffin Architecture Ridgefield; 203-431-6001 doylecoffinarchitecture.com
Charles Hilton Architects @charleshiltonarchitects
Charles Hilton Architects Greenwich; 203-489-3800 hiltonarchitects.com
Morgan Harrison Home @morganharrisonhome
Morgan Harrison Home New Canaan; 203-594-7875 morganharrisonhome.com
Sarah P. Major Interior Design & J. R. Held & Co. @sarahpmajor @jesserheld
Sarah P. Major Interior Design Darien; 860-575-3666 sarahpmajor.com J. R. Held & Co. Norwalk; 508-269-6868 jrheldandco.com
Rinaldi Brothers
Rinaldi Brothers
A DDRESS: 19 Old Kings Hwy S, Suite 200, Darien, CT
A DDRESS: 19 Old Kings Hwy S, Suite 200, Darien, CT
PHONE: 860-333-8689
PHONE: 860-333-8689
WEBSITE: rinaldiroofingri.com
WEBSITE: rinaldiroofingri.com
At Rinaldi Brothers, we specialize in premium exterior solutions tailored for homeowners who expect the highest standards of excellence, discretion, and detail. As a family-owned business, we bring both legacy and luxury to every project—combining artisanal skill with modern precision. Serving the area’s most prestigious communities, we offer a concierge-level experience in asphalt, cedar, slate and copper roofing, custom exterior enhancements, and historic home restoration. Our name is trusted by discerning homeowners, architects, and real estate professionals who appreciate timeless quality and white-glove service. As twin brothers and business partners, we are intimately involved in all projects, ensuring clear communication, refined craftsmanship, and a deep respect for your home. Whether you require an emergency repair before a closing or a full-scale renovation, our family is dedicated to protecting yours—with integrity, care, and unmatched attention to detail. Experience the difference of working with a family that shares your standards.
At Rinaldi Brothers, we specialize in premium exterior solutions tailored for homeowners who expect the highest standards of excellence, discretion, and detail. As a family-owned business, we bring both legacy and luxury to every project—combining artisanal skill with modern precision.
Serving the area’s most prestigious communities, we offer a concierge-level experience in asphalt, cedar, slate and copper roofing, custom exterior enhancements, and historic home restoration. Our name is trusted by discerning homeowners, architects, and real estate professionals who appreciate timeless quality and white-glove service. As twin brothers and business partners, we are intimately involved in all projects, ensuring clear communication, refined craftsmanship, and a deep respect for your home. Whether you require an emergency repair before a closing or a full-scale renovation, our family is dedicated to protecting yours—with integrity, care, and unmatched attention to detail. Experience the difference of working with a family that shares your standards.
Create Where You Belong
California Closets
A DDRESS: 48 W. Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT
PHONE: 203-924-8444
WEBSITE: californiaclosets.com
California Closets is recognized for its tradition of innovation, organizational expertise, superior craftsmanship, and design leadership. Our team of skilled design consultants and installers are committed to delivering an outstanding experience throughout the entire journey of creating and installing organizational systems for every area of the home. From walk-in closets and wall beds to kitchen pantries, entertainment centers, and home offices, our professional designers excel in the art of home organization. We are thrilled to announce that our highly anticipated Greenwich showroom is now open! Our showroom is a thoughtfully designed space that highlights our newest products and provides an engaging experience for our customers. This dynamic environment is where creativity converges with innovation. It serves as a place to explore and a center for inspiration, allowing design enthusiasts and professionals to discover the full range of our offerings.
We invite you to visit us at 48 W. Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT.
A DDRESS: 181 West Avenue, Darien, CT
PHONE: 800-390-1000
WEBSITE: ringsend.com
Ring’s End is the largest retailer of Marvin windows and doors and Benjamin Moore paint in the Northeast, with 34 locations serving both homeowners and building professionals. Eight locations operate as full-service lumberyards in Connecticut, Westchester County (NY), and South County (RI). The remaining 26 are dedicated paint centers, operating under the Ring’s End name locally and as Johnson Paint in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. As a multi-generational family-owned and led business, Ring’s End is at the forefront of industry trends toward environmentally friendly products and local business growth. They introduce the latest and most innovative products, focusing on trends such as sustainable brands. Additionally, they educate customers on various topics, including building science, proper preparation and application of coatings, and the latest color trends. As an industry leader, Ring’s End continues to expand and evolve. In addition to its retail locations, the company has a commercial paint and lacquer facility, a custom millwork shop, a centralized distribution warehouse, an education center, and a window and door installation department.
WEBSITE: marvin.com
Your video produced by real journalists . Your business needs a high quality video. Still photos
and so on. Video is the way of today and is so easily
to everyone.
At Marvin, we are driven to imagine and create better ways of living. With every window and door we build, we strive to bring more natural light, and fresh air into homes, and help create deeper connections with the natural world. We put people at the center of everything we do by designing for how people live and work while imagining new ways our products can contribute to happier and healthier homes. As a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated company, Marvin fosters a culture that is committed to living our values. Our commitment to doing the right thing, working stronger together, and thinking differently inspires us to be better every day. Crafted with exceptional skill, our products deliver quality you can see, touch, and feel, beauty that brings joy, and performance that stands the test of time. Driven by a spirit of possibility, our commitment to people goes beyond the products we make. We are dedicated to building longlasting and trusting relationships with our employees, customers, channel partners, and communities. Learn more at marvin.com.
DOUGLAS WRIGHT Douglas C. Wright Architects HEIDE HENDRICKS Hendricks Churchill
JOSH GREENE Josh Greene Design
MELISSA REAVIS Hollander Design
calendar
SEPTEMBER 2025
Flinn Gallery
ART & ANTIQUES
ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-0198. Tues.–Sun. aldrichart.org
AMY SIMON FINE ART, 1869 Post Rd. East, Westport, 259-1500. amysimonfineart.com
BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org
CANFIN GALLERY, 39 Main St., Tarrytown, NY, 914-332-4554. canfingallery.com
CARAMOOR CENTER FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS, Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah, NY, 914-232-1252. Caramoor is a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs and spectacular gardens and grounds and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. caramoor.org
CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING, 299 West Ave., Norwalk, 899-7999. contemprints.org
CLARENDON FINE ART, 22 Main St., Westport, 293- 0976. clarendonfineart.com
FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, 259-1598. fairfieldhistory.org
FLINN GALLERY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7947. flinngallery.com
GERTRUDE G. WHITE GALLERY, YWCA, 259 E. Putnam Ave., 869-6501. ywcagreenwich.org
GREENWICH ARTS COUNCIL, 299 Greenwich Ave., 862-6750. greenwichartscouncil.org
GREENWICH ART SOCIETY, 299 Greenwich Ave. 2nd fl., 629-1533. This studio school offers a visual arts education program for kids and adults. greenwichartsociety.org
KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org
In collaboration with Art Vietnam Gallery of Hanoi, the Flinn Gallery presents Vietnam: Tradition Upended, featuring nine artists who work in a variety of mediums and styles. The exhibition was born out of a visit to Hanoi by curators Debra Fram and Barbara Richards, looking at art and exploring Vietnam. During a visit to the Art Vietnam Gallery to meet Suzanne Lecht, a well-known leading authority of contemporary Vietnamese art, the ladies soon learned that Suzanne had lived in backcountry Greenwich in the early eighties. The new friends stayed in touch, and over the next five years an exhibit was curated. Opening Reception: Thursday, September 18 from 6 to 8 p.m., The Flinn Gallery, second floor of Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Avenue. greenwichlibrary.org/flinn-gallery
CLAY ART CENTER, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, NY, 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org
DISCOVERY MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM, 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, 372-3521. discoverymuseum.org
DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport, 576-1636. dtcab.com
Gertrude G. White Gallery
Throughout September, the Gertrude G. White Gallery will host local artist Sarah Schneider, a contemporary landscape and nature-based abstract painter who has studied at the Silvermine School of Art and Rowayton Art Center. She lives in Old Greenwich with her husband, three children and two dogs. When she’s not in the studio, she finds inspiration outdoors—often at Tod’s Point. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, Sept 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. 259 East Putnam Avenue. ywcagreenwich.org
GOODSPEED OPERA HOUSE, 6 Main St., East Haddam, 860-873-8668. goodspeed.org »
Memory Lane by Sarah Schneider
THURSDAY,
Photo: Fadil Berisha
PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHY SOCIAL MEDIA
Moffly Media is one of the leading providers of professional event photography and marketing services in Fairfield County. We capture compelling, high-quality images of individuals and groups at meaningful events. With our wide range of capabilities from video to social media, Moffly will customize a marketing program that’s just right for you.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BOB CAPAZZO, KRISTIN HYNES, MELANI LUST & MARSIN MOGIELSKI
LEVITT PAVILION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ON SALE NOW
SEP 6: MIHALI - BEFORE THE DREAM TOUR W/S/G SOULE MONDE AND W/ MR MOTA
SEP 12: STRAWBERRY FIELDS - BEATLES TRIBUTE
PLUS... FREE SEPTEMBER SHOWS INCLUDE: AMY IRVING W/ THE GOOLIS ORCHESTRA
DNR - THE ALMOST ALL-DOC ROCK BAND TRIBUTE TO EMS
ARGONAUT & WASP W/S/G WILD & CO.
GREENWICH BOTANICAL CENTER, 130 Bible St., 869-9242. greenwichbotanicalcenter.org
GREENWICH LIBRARY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7900. greenwichlibrary.org
JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville, NY, 914-773-7663. burnsfilmcenter.org
KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, 26 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org
LONG WHARF THEATRE, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven, 787-4282. longwharf.com
RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 438-9269.
ridgefieldplayhouse.org »
Herb Fair & Market at Caramoor
For seventy-four years, the herb fair has celebrated the many ways that herbs enrich our lives and has promoted the knowledge and use of herbs through educational programs, research and community engagement. This one-day event features an extraordinary roster of makers and artisans as well as an extensive program of demonstrations, talks and workshops from leading herb experts. Saturday, September 20, from 10 to 4 p.m. Rain Date: Sunday, September 21.
SHUBERT THEATER, 247 College St., New Haven, 800-228-6622. shubert.com
STAMFORD CENTER FOR THE ARTS Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, 325-4466. stamfordcenterforthearts.org
STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org
WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE, 25 Powers Ct., Westport, 227-4177. westportplayhouse.org »
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
Let’s go thrifting! On Sunday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Mathews Park, 295 West Avenue in Norwalk, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum launches its eighteenth annual Old-Fashioned Flea Market. Flea Market enthusiasts or seasoned bargain hunters will find a variety of vintage and repurposed items. Vendors feature a variety of merchandise including antiques, furniture, collectibles, jewelry, household items, clothing, toys and more. Mini tours will be offered to the public for $5 from noon to 4 p.m.
Now is the moment we’ve been waiting for. With new treatments emerging in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, now is the time for hope. But not the time to stop.
Help us keep the momentum going in your community at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.
Sunday, October 26th, 2025 Sherwood Island State Park, Westport Join us at . fundraiser to fight the disease.
FEATURING
FASHION SHOW SPONSOR
CELEBRATING
BCA’s Models of Inspiration
MUSIC BY
DJ April Larken
Register online: https://breastcanceralliance.org/luncheon Follow us on Instagram for updates:
Guest Speaker Hannah Storm
KIDS’ STUFF SEPTEMBER 2025
ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-4519. aldrichart.org
To kick off Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness month, YWCA Greenwich is hosting the 2025 Walk the Walk & 5K Run Against Domestic Violence. This annual event supports The Harmony Project to raise funds and awareness for free domestic and sexual violence services at YWCA Greenwich, including counseling, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, criminal court advocacy, and a 24/7 hotline. This event is pet and stroller friendly!
greenwichmag.com
SUNDA , OCTOBER 1 2:00 - 5:30 PM
1 HURLINGHAM DRIVE | GREENWICH POLO CLUB
PROCEEDS
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS INCLUDE EVERYTHING!
Ferris Wheel ~ Live Music
Soccer with Aldwin ~ Pony Rides
Pettin Zoo ~ Rock Climbin Wall
Jumbo Truck Experience
Food and Bevera e Trucks
Hands-On Crafts
SCAN FOR EVENT + RAFFLE TICKETS OR VISIT
Inflatable Giant Corn Maze and so much more!
GLTRUST.ORG
Patron ticket holders enjoy:
· Early access to Go Wild! Family Field Day
· VIP parkin at Go Wild! Family Field Day · Patron Movie Ni ht at the Polo Tent on Friday, October 17 which includes:
· Pizza Truck with S mores · Festive Drinks for Adults Children
· Family Friendly Movie on the Bi Screen · Exclusive Patron Gift Ba
Build Awareness. Reach New Clients.
Legal Profile Special Section
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GOLDEN HOUR GLOW
There’s a certain kind of charm Mother Nature wears best in the fall— and it looks a lot like this: A quiet, tree-lined street, golden leaves, and that crisp, just-right kind of light that makes everything feel a little more magical. We’re in the in-between—summer in the rearview, holidays not quite here and the town settling into its autumn groove. It’s the season of routines and rhythms—school pickups, soccer games, sweater weather. Greenwich in the fall doesn’t try too hard; it doesn’t need to. The beauty is built in. G
Have a photo that captures a moment in Greenwich? Send it to us at editor@greenwichmag.com for a chance to win $100. Please write “Photo Submission” in the subject line.
photograph by garvin burke
Internationally recognized pediatric surgeons in Greenwich, Connecticut
Dominique
M. Jan, MD
Chief, Pediatric Surgery; Director, Pediatric Transplantation Surgery, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein and Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Specialty Surgeons of Connecticut provides residents of Connecticut access to highly esteemed pediatric surgery experts.
Dominique M. Jan, MD, is an accomplished, internationally trained pediatric surgeon with specialization in the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary disease and biliary atresia, tumors in children, and management of organ failure, providing expert care with excellent outcomes. A pioneer in intestinal transplant, Dr. Jan has published and presented more than 100 articles in the areas of pediatric transplantation of the small bowel, liver and kidney.
Steven H. Borenstein, MD
Pediatric Surgeon, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein and Associate Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Steven H. Borenstein, MD, provides world-class care for all pediatric general surgery conditions, performing the full spectrum of open and minimally invasive procedures ranging from laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair to complex operative approaches required in the management of pediatric solid tumors.
In addition to seeing patients in Greenwich at Specialty Surgeons of Connecticut, Dr. Jan and Dr. Borenstein perform surgery at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein, nationally recognized for pediatric excellence by U.S. News & World Report, and regionally ranked White Plains Hospital.
