Greenwich Magazine June 2024

GREENWICH

58 POINTS OF VIEW

We explore a stunning waterfront estate that offers the perfect combination of Old World elegance and modern, livable design. by mary kate hogan

72 HUSTLE & HEART

Phebe Huth, Sarah Michler, Caroline Witmer and Ali Kaminetsky are four young Greenwich entrepreneurs who are following their passions and making a name for themselves in the process. by jill johnson mann

ON THE COVER: A 1916 WATERFRONT ESTATE GETS A MODERN RENOVATION PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ROBERT BENSON

14 EDITOR’S LETTER

16 FOUNDER’S LETTER Of Victory and Vegetables

21 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ It’s all in the family for this centennial celebration. SHOP Trust us, the dad in your life doesn’t need or want another tie. We’ve got some great experiences to get the big guy this Father’s Day. GO St. Moritz is just about as glitzy as it gets. Take a trip with us. HOME Incredible play spaces that will stimulate your child’s imagination; An art-lover’s haven that sits above Greenwich Avenue is ready to help build your collection. DO We take a quick trip over the border to the Jacob Burns Film Center.

44 G-MOM

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy—especially with these fun pool accessories; Greenwich Moms helps us enjoy the carefree days of the season.

51 PEOPLE & PLACES

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England; greenwich magazine’s Greenwich Restaurant Week Opening Night Party

81 CALENDAR

91 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

92 POSTSCRIPT A walk in the park

GREENWICH MAGAZINE JUNE 2024 VOL. 77, NO. 5 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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to GREENWICH MAGAZINE PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607.

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Bill Raveis & Michelle Genovesi

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GREENWICH

LIFE TO LIFESTYLE SINCE 1 9 47

vol. 77 | no. 5 | june 2024

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editor’s letter

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Renovating a historic estate takes a special type of dedication. There are the logistical issues—structural challenges, energy-efficiency and overall functionality for today’s lifestyle. But perhaps more significantly, it requires an understanding of the importance of preserving the past. Nobody knows that better than the owners and artisans who have modernized one of our town’s most stunning waterfront estates. A young couple with a love of the water and an eye for style undertook the task of reimagining Eastover, which was built over a century ago by Henry Steers, a yachtsman with a penchant for opulence. The transformation from a formal (some might say stuffy) residence into a family-friendly home that retains its architectural integrity was no small task. But the end result proves that Old World grandiosity and modern-day design can indeed elegantly coexist. Mary Kate Hogan

takes us on a tour of the stunning home and talks with the master architects and designers who brought the owners’ vision to life. (“Points of View,” page 56.)

Today, more than ever, we seek spaces that are not only beautiful but also personal and functional. This renovation incorporates all of it—from a mudroom with individual lockers for each of the four children and an uber-chic “cloffice” (closet-office) for the homeowner to a basement designed for serious playtime and bedrooms tailored to each child’s personality. There are grand outdoor spaces for entertaining as well as cozy nooks for hangout time. Whoever said you can’t have it all hasn’t visited Eastover.

I think it’s safe to say that even Mr. Steers would be happy.

HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP

founder’s page

“I threw a shiny black tarp on the ground, punched holes through it, popped in squash seeds and voila … slugs!”

OF VICTORY AND VEGETABLES

The start of the growing season always reminds me of 1944, the year I fell in love with an eggplant.

I was nine years old and stuck with seeing a lot of the daughter of a war widow, a close friend of my mother. Antoinette-of-the-beautifulname-and-long-blond-curls was eleven, two heads taller, didn’t wear glasses and could do everything better than I could—ballet, piano, ice skating, whatever. Something else: We had to collect scrap metal for the war effort. So, while Mother was busy getting somebody to pull down a cruddy old smokestack from a building down the block, we kids were seeing who could roll gum wrappers into the biggest ball of tin foil. Antoinette beat me at that, too.

But I sure topped her on one thing: Behind our apartment building we had a communal victory garden where I grew an eggplant much bigger than hers. A giant. I left it proudly hanging there until it rotted and fell to the ground.

Fast-forward to Riverside, 1963. Older and wiser (supposedly), I now had a spacious backyard and a mother-in-law whose gardens in Philadelphia made the pages of national magazines. Believe me, if she had cedars of Lebanon, they were the real deal. (A consummate traveler, she’d return with seedlings tucked into the toes of her shoes and manage to get her suitcase through customs.)

So I listened attentively to her instruction about cultivation but soon reverted to form. For instance: After I read somewhere that plastic keeps down weeds, I threw a shiny black tarp on the ground, punched holes through it, popped in squash seeds and voila! No weeds, but zillions of slimy slugs underneath and, on top, squash vines that blackened from the bottom inch by inch, finally turning the yellow blossoms to yuck.

I planted my next vegetable garden under a Korean dogwood by the kitchen door, where

I grew incredibly gritty lettuce (couldn’t wash it well enough), big tough string beans (couldn’t pick them fast enough) and tomatoes stunted from lack of sunshine. But I was terribly proud of my basil, until I brought a bunch to the office and was told it was mint, mint that had grown in profusion next to my basil and had taken on some of the taste.

My hat's off to those who know their beans— be they gentleman farmers like Ted Ewing and Don Miller, whose lush kitchen gardens once inspired me to write an article called “He’s Well Known in his Field.” Or kids like the minicontestants in a Green Fingers Garden Club show where six-year-old Evelyn submitted a clay pot of dirt sprouting one tiny carrot. “Peter Rabbit would love it!” emoted the judges.

But I’ve always had trouble with vegetables. In fact, last year I almost lost my health insurance because of them. United Health had sent a nurse to the house for its annual visit, and she put me to the test. “Count backwards by fours from twenty to zero.” No problem. “See how many fruits and vegetables you can name in thirty seconds.” A-ha! So I started singing “Pushcart Serenade,” a patter song from my childhood. It has verses such as: “Oh pears, pears, we’d make a lovely pear/Peaches, peaches, the peachiest anywhere/Oh lettuce, oh lettuce get married today/Honeydew, honeydew say you’re mine to stay”—interspersed with rambling lists of produce and ending with “And we’ll raise a family—a baby lima/We’ll live on my celery.”

The nurse thought I was crazy. Didn’t crack a smile. But I must have passed, because I’m still getting bills from Mutual of Omaha.

Anyway, I have to run. I’m on my way to the farmer’s market to check out the cucumbers.

The celeriac, too—that ugly, warty frog prince of vegetables that’s so great mashed up with potatoes. See how smart I’m getting? Finally! G

buzz

by valerie foster

A Family Investment

This is a big year for BAXTER

INVESTMENT

MANAGEMENT, as it marks 100 YEARS in business. We sat down with William J. Baxer III, the firm’s principal and chief portfolio manager, to talk about what it takes to sustain a business for a century and beyond

GREEENWICH MAGAZINE: You’ve been in business for 100 years—not easy. Do you agree?

BILL BAXTER: You’re so correct, and the statistics back this up. Within the first two years, 20 percent of businesses fail. Within five years, 45 percent.

GM: What’s the key to your success?

BB: Most important, we shifted our business model. The firm began as an economic forecaster, writing newsletters and books. We even had our own printing press. In 1989, we pivoted to an investment firm, managing portfolios, providing a different level of service to our clients.

GM: You’re a family business, which adds another layer of complexity. What does it take to maintain a family-run business for so long?

BB: Companies just don’t make it through many generations. And now we’re four generations. My grandfather founded the

business, and my father joined in 1957. My brother John and I now own the company, and my children, Bill and Claire, are here now, too.

But no, it’s not easy. However, our family gets along very well. My brother is very easy to get along with—intelligent, cool and calm. Not everyone is that fortunate.

GM: Any advice for new businesses?

BB: Treat your customers like your best friends, and treat each other as you would your customers. People today are looking for a high level of service, something they don’t get very often. They are tired of 800 numbers and not speaking to a real person.

People also want speed. You don’t want your customers going around in circles trying to get help or their questions answered. The key here is service.

Finding good employees is like a good marriage. You learn to focus on positive traits that someone has or a trait that fills in a gap in your business. Look for a diversified group of employees. Be able to admit that you can’t do something and hire someone who can.

I had been with the firm for three or four years, and my grandmother gave me some great advice when she said: “You’re not that smart, Bill.” At the time, I thought she was talking about me. She was talking about everyone, that no one is that smart. But that brings in humility. Humble is how we live our lives, personally and in business.

Where It all started:

Bill J. Baxter Jr. at the firm’s original office

Bill J .Baxter III

GM: Any advice for new investors?

BB: Our advice has always been that being a long-term investor is a successful approach. Invest when you’re young, the time when you can take risks and can be heavy in stocks, Roth IRAs and 401Ks. As you build your wealth, diversify. As you prepare for retirement, it’s nice to have a meaningful reserve in bonds.

GM: What can your clients expect from your firm?

BB: The minimum amount to invest with us is $500,000. Each portfolio we manage is customized. We perform meaningful financial planning and tax control, because everyone has different needs. Are you saving to purchase a house? For college? Weddings? How much do you want to put away for your retirement? What kind of trusts make sense? How much goes to charity? We see more people asking for indepth financial plans. We’re looking at the whole picture and providing a complete package. Our firm has never embraced debt. You can be very optimistic when you don’t have too much debt. Our advice is that if you take a risk, do it in such a way that you will still be happy with your decisions.

GM: What are the biggest changes you’ve seen recently in investing?

BB: Definitely the speed at which information is passed. Some of the trading platforms that attract the less sophisticated investors can be dangerous. So many trade solely on information they discover on CNBC, in chat rooms or on TikTok.

A business fundamental is to understand

earnings and sales growth. If you’re at a party and people are talking about stocks, it’s usually the quietest person in the room that knows more than anyone else.

GM: What advice would you give to your future generations to sustain your business another 100 years?

BB: First, I hope we are giving the next generation the intelligence and humility to adapt with the times.

A big part of our business is having the right clients. We spend a lot of time marketing ourselves to clients that fit our philosophy of the importance of long-term investments. We don’t deviate from this model. We don’t take on clients who want day trading. We direct those people to other firms.

I also hope they understand that they will make mistakes, but what is most important is that they learn from those mistakes. I hope they listen to old people and young people and come up with answers in between.

I love what I do, and I don’t plan on retiring anytime soon; but I like that the upcoming generation is taking some of the weight of running the business off my shoulders. I’m having a lot more fun now!

GM: How will you celebrate your 100 years?

BB: We‘re having a big anniversary celebration for our staff and clients, who will be traveling in for the party from all parts of the country—New Mexico, Georgia, etc. It’ll be as big as many weddings, but we budgeted for it!

“I HOPE THEY LISTEN TO OLD PEOPLE AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND COME UP WITH ANSWERS IN BETWEEN.”

—bill’s advice for future baxter investment generations

Family affair: Bill with his children and newest members of the firm, Claire and Bill Baxter IV

How it began: The Baxter certificate of incorporation

John F. Baxter (bottom)

John C. Baxter

Shown

shop

FOR THE DADS WHO HAVE EVERYTHING

by tom connor

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, some 70 million American men are dads. This means that millions of spouses and children are stressing about what to get the men in their lives for Father’s Day. The problem is that guys have enough stuff and don’t need any more. In fact, we still have the ties, sweaters and slippers from last Father’s Day! The good news is that this June, the trend is toward giving gifts around doing rather than having. Father’s Day gifts from a guy’s bucket list can make for cool experiences and warm memories well beyond the day itself. He might even invite the family along.

Here, then, are five “experience gifts” dads will enjoy receiving and may actually even use!

1

FLASHY TEST DRIVE

What father hasn’t fantasized about trading in that familyfriendly SUV for a high-end imported race car, or a stock car, for that matter. We’re perfectly happy being dads, of course, but inside of all of us are teenagers itching to go really fast and impress other guys. A day out at Thompson Speedway Motorsport Park (ironically located in the northeastern part of Connecticut called the “Quiet Corner”) allows us to do just that. Why do guys love going to the Speedway? “Um ... because we have cool cars?” suggests a sales associate at Extreme Experience (thextremexperience .com), which manages

the driving sessions. Dads indeed have their pick of Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis that on the straightways can top 130 mph. Wives needn’t worry: A safety course precedes the laps. It’s driving back home without getting a ticket that’s a cause for concern.

For exotic car enthusiasts that don’t necessarily have that need for speed, Veluxcity Exotic Car Rental in Greenwich offers daily rentals on a variety of luxury rides—like Rolls Royce and Bentley. But if dad really wants to make heads turn, you should consider renting him the bright red 2020 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Coupé seen here.

Veluxity Exotic Car Rentals in Greenwich makes guys swoon.

Tel: 203.489.3800 | IG: @charleshiltonarchitects | hiltonarchitects.com

Interiors by Jenny Wolf

2

WHITEWATER CANOEING & KAYAKING

Few outings are more exciting than running the rapids, even on the relatively placid Housatonic or Farmington rivers. Clarke’s Outdoors (clarkeoutdoors.com) in West Cornwall rents canoes, kayaks and rafts for six-, eightand ten-mile runs down the Housatonic, dropping in at Falls Village, from early May to September. Main Stream Canoes & Kayaks (mainstreamcanoe .com) in Farmington offers multiple drop-in points and up to 12 miles of paddling

between Riverton and New Hartford. Whether on the water for one or five hours, the cost is the same.

“Gift certificates are great for Father’s Day,” says owner Myra Emrick. “It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s an adventure.” For a family day on the river, she adds, “It’s getting your kids off their damn phones!” Dads, too! Both rivers feature short sections of Class 3 rapids. For an on-thewater adventure a little closer to home, check out SeaKayak (seakayakct.com) in Westport for rentals or sign up for one of their guided tours to Cockenoe or Sprite Islands.

Julia Deane offers gift certificates for fun, interactive, day and evening group cooking classes, held at her husband’s Deane Inc. kitchen showroom in Stamford. With themed meals like “Italian Comfort Food,” the classes run from three to four hours, are hands-on and end with delicious (well, depending on how Dad did) dinners of the food just prepared. As the mantra at Culinary Works goes, “It’s all in the experience.”

Register him for a cooking class, and everbody wins.

4

TICKETS TO LIVE EVENTS

3

COOKING CLASSES

A gift certificate to an evening or weekend cooking class is one of those transparently selfserving gifts that can benefit the giver as much as the receiver:

“Since taking that class you’ve become an amazing chef! How about cooking dinner from now on?” Classes in making and cooking pasta abound at places like The Art of Pasta at Wakeman Town Farm (wakemantownfarm .org ) in Westport. At Culinary Works (culinaryworks .com), executive chef

For guys bemoaning getting older, the best gift may be tickets to a concert by any number of iconic bands and top performers on tour this spring and summer. On the road this Father’s Day and beyond are Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Jason Aldean, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles and The Rolling Stones. With most of the band members hovering around 80 years old, it seems appropriate that AARP is sponsoring the Stones’ “Hackney Diamonds Tour.”

Joining Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Woods on the tour is original bassist Bill Wyman, who, at 86, may need help getting on and off the stage. By comparison, the rest of us dads will feel pretty damn

young. For the more low-key music fan, some of the best acts in the county, if not the country, regularly perform at The Fairfield Theatre Company in downtown Fairfield (fairfieldtheatre.org) or The Ridgefield Playhouse (ridgefieldplayhouse .org).

5

A DAY AT THE SPA

Then again, maybe the best experience gift of all is doing nothing at all. Instead of cooking, paddling, speeding or rocking out, Dad might enjoy chilling at one of the many luxurious spas throughout Fairfield County. Among those offering pampering just for the gents is the J House Spa. The Purifying Back Treatment combines deep pore exfoliation with a cleansing masque to reveal

intensely moisturized, smooth skin. The Foot Cleansing Ritual uses a Turkish salt scrub with eucalyptus to exfoliate, reflex point acupressure to relax and a magnesium rich mineral massage to promote healing energy. See the website for more options. jhousegreenwich.com.

Dr. Kim Nichols offers an amazing array of dad-specific treatments, ranging from testosterone replacement therapy to platelet-rich plasma, a nonsurgical solution to hair loss. There’s also the Customized Gentlemen’s Facial and the HydraFacial for Him, a deepcleaning treatment that removes dirt and oils from the pores and extracts blackheads, while hydrating the skin and infusing nutrients to the beard and mustache areas for healthier facial hair. kimnicholsmd.com

Arrange for a kayak rental and drop in at one of Connecticut’s many rivers.

go

WHERE SPECTATING IS A SPORT IN ITSELF

Living the High Life

THE ICIER THE ROADS, THE BETTER FOR THIS VINTAGE CAR EXHIBIT

NEVER A BAD DAY TO HIT THE MOUNTAIN

ST. MORITZ: WHERE THE WORLD’S ELITE GO TO PLAY IN THE SNOW

by kim-marie galloway

POLO LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE

If luxury is defined as exclusive and rare, then winter sports in St. Moritz deserve a capital “L.”

Sure, skiing is on the menu, but that’s the sport of the masses. True jet-setters arrive for the polo matches, thoroughbred horse races and vintage car competitions. Don’t expect the Swiss to crow about it—they are too tight-lipped. But polo on ice is next-level. Besides being the first-ever snow polo tournament, it’s the only high-goal tournament played on snow. And if you love the Greenwich Concours de Elegance, add studded tires, ice courses and champagne servers on skates and you have the relatively new I.C.E. (International Concours de Elegance).

Unless you’re on a private jet, you can’t fly directly to St. Moritz; the Engadin airport doesn’t offer any commercial flights. You can drive the nearly three hours on icy roads through the craggy Alps from the nearest airport in Zurich, or board a train with Gen Pop. (Some do have glass roofs for sightseeing, but packing all your furs for train travel can be challenging.)

Where to Stay

The lake is ringed by fairy-tale-worthy hotels, and you can’t go wrong with iconic names like Badrutt’s or Kulm, but we suggest The Carlton Hotel. The Carlton is only open from December to April. There are just 60 rooms, which are all spacious suites boasting sweeping views of the lake. Oh, and they include private butler service.

But why settle for just an indoor butler when you can also hire an outdoor butler? What does an outdoor butler do, you ask? They’ll take you hiking, skiing or on an epic journey skating on a hidden lake, returning by torchlight.

It’s Switzerland, so naturally there is a world-class spa. Before you go, here’s a fun fact: Wearing a bathing suit in the sauna is considered unhealthy and verboten. The Carlton Spa is spread over three floors. In addition to the birthday- suit only sauna area, there is a toasty indoor pool with a

clear door that opensto the bracing air and an outdoor heated pool.

Charmingly decorated vintage gondolas stand sentry near the entrance of the hotel. They appear to be nothing more than Instagram fodder with old-timey skis and poles haphazardly stowed on gondolas going nowhere. When night falls, these become the most intimate venue to enjoy traditional Swiss fondue as you snuggle up with fur blankets and endless, gooey, warm cheese. Make a reservation for the hotel’s two-starred Michelin restaurant, Da Vittoria. This outpost of the Michelin three-star Da Vittoria in Bergamo is considered the best Italian restaurant in Switzerland, and like the hotel, only open for the short winter season.

Nightly room rates start at 1,300 Swiss Francs and climb rapidly as the 60 rooms book up for the winter holidays.

The stunning Carlton Hotel

THE CARLTON HOTEL

What to do

THE MOUNTAINS

Skiing in St. Moritz is a bucket list dream for many. It has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and the sun shines more than 322 days of the year. It’s hard to have a bad ski day here. The famed pistes of Corviglia have been dubbed the “White Carpet” and are easily reachable from town via the weirdly efficient Chanterella funicular. Break for lunch at either the oldest ski hut, the Alpina, or pull up a fur-lined chair at the White Marmot—where you won’t find chicken tenders anywhere on the menu.

WHERE TO STAY

SNOW POLO WORLD CUP

January 24 through January 26, 2025

Sure, a picnic at Greenwich Polo Club is fun, and you get to see the best of the best play high-goal polo. But in St Moritz, your champagne arrives with a tuxedo-clad server on ice skates. There are other snow polo events, like Courcheval, but St. Moritz is the only high-goal tournament. Tickets are free. But you'll want to buy a spot in the PerrierJouët Chukker Club, where the champagne and canapes flow endlessly and you get a reserved seat in the grandstand. Chukker Club tickets are CHF120. VIP tickets cost CHF820; for the extra cash you get a seated gourmet lunch, access to a cigar bar, heated blankets and champagne in the grandstands. The best sideshow is admiring the latest in winter fashion for pups. If you don’t have a Moncler vest for your pooch, you should. snowpolo-stmoritz.com

WHITE TURF

February 2, 9 and 16, 2025

Imagine the Kentucky Derby, but on ice, and you have White Turf. The horses wear spiked shoes, and the spectators wear fur and Chanel goggles while shouting “Cavalli Partitii”—roughly translated to “go horses.” In addition to the

racing, the event includes live music, gourmet catering and more. Tickets will be available at whiteturf.ch/en. Or book a package including hotels and VIP access at racingbreaks.com/white-turf

THE I.C.E.

February 21 through February 23, 2025

If James Bond and my high school boyfriend brought their classic cars to St. Moritz, that would be the definition of The I.C.E. The cars don’t come to race.They come to be admired as they skid around the ice track taking laps, which must be an almost uninsurable activity.

The event begins with quality checks on the lake in the days leading up to the race. The ice must reach a minimum thickness of 10 inches for racing to begin. This year, they had the unlucky occurrence of too much snow

and had to hold the competition in a nearby parking garage. This did nothing to dampen the spirit of the party. Since The I.C.E. is a relatively new luxury event, it feels intimate, championed by the cognoscenti and undiscovered by the masses. This “insider” status won’t last long now that, we’re letting you in on the secret. theicestmoritz.ch

CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

Barchettas on the Lake Two-seater racing cars

Open Wheels

Single-seaters from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, designed for track driving

Concept Cars & One-Offs

Unique examples created by visionary minds or custom-built according to the taste, character and personality of the owner Icons on Wheels

Does “icon” need a definition?

Last year’s winner was a Delage D8-125 S. G

ST. MORITZ LITERALLY INVENTED THE WINTER RESORT

In the 1860s, local hotelier

Johannes Badrutt invited British summer tourists to return in colder months, promising to reimburse their travels, if they were disappointed. (Spoiler alert: They weren’t.)

above: White Turf takes horse racing to a whole different level.

above: Snow Polo World Cup below: The I.C.E.

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above: A custom-designed playroom that focuses on the sensory and educational needs of two young boys

PLAYING IT SMART

STIMULATE YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION WITH SOME FABULOUS DESIGN

When Karri Bowen-Poole designs custom playrooms, her room concepts begin with her musing about how a room will engage and nurture young minds. Of course, paint swatches and whimsical kid-centric themes are part of her detailed design process, but the founder of Smart Playrooms believes play and learning are interconnected.

“It’s the teacher in me,” says BowenPoole. “But the first thing I look at when I

walk into any playroom is what’s in there to encourage good, sound, emotionally stimulating old-fashioned play.”

The former teacher worked in classrooms at Greenwich Academy, the Stanwich School and Rye Presbyterian before she began outfitting upscale playrooms in private homes from Greenwich to Los Angeles. Her growing business now includes a team of designers (all with advanced education degrees) who share Karri’s philosophy that playrooms should be fun, inspiring

and stimulate learning.

“The play we knew as kids, when our parents told us to go run around outside and find something to do, has kind of become a lost art,” she says. “But play matters. It’s a chance for kids to reset. And when good play is happening, there’s a lot of thinking and socializing and learning going on.”

Smart Playrooms works closely with clients to create personalized design schemes that suit their tastes and their kids’ whims. A signature of the smart

beth cooney fitzpatrick

home

STYLE IQ

Karri’s tips for making any playroom a little smarter

START WITH PAINT

“It’s the easiest and most affordable way to change any room,” says Karri. “Does your kid love bright green? Even if you don’t, remember it’s their space. It makes the kids feel a sense of ownership and pride and more eager to head into play.”

MAKE IT TIDY

Clutter and too many toys detract from play. “Stick to a few things they love and tuck the rest away,” says the designer. Even some inexpensive Ikea storage bins can be transformative.

BE AGE-APPROPRIATE

“I always design with the oldest child in a family in mind,” she says. “If they like the environment, the younger kids will follow their lead and grow into the room.”

KEEP THINGS CHILL

Comfy, durable chairs and a table for arts-and-crafts projects are requisites for any playroom that stands the test of time. “By the time a kid is seven, they’ve lost interest in sitting on the floor,” she says

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS

Karri recommends banishing screens from playrooms. “By keeping screens out, you are making it a place to disconnect, which is what play should be about for our kids.”

design aesthetic is banishing clutter and keeping elements pared down to a few go-to toys and spaces zoned for favorite activities.

“You want places where kids will write, draw, craft and make puzzles and play with their Legos,” says Karri. “And you also want places that support what a kid genuinely likes to do. So, if they love music, there’s a place for a keyboard and karaoke; and if they are sporty, there are hoops on the wall and nets to kick things into and things to climb on.”

Karri made the transition from the classroom to design after some local families called on her to help organize their cluttered playrooms. “I lived at the Container Store,” she says. Her business soon evolved into complete playroom design. Things got busier at the height of the Covid pandemic, when indoor play areas became more necessary.

Today, her services range from virtual design consults that come with detailed plans and suggestions for purchases to more elaborate bespoke design commissions, which can take rooms from studs to playdate-ready. Karri has also launched Project Playroom, an online store where designers and parents alike can find items like indoor monkey bars, swings and more.

Trending with Smart Playrooms clients right now are indoor sports courts and ninja-themed rooms that feature lots of places for kids to, well,

climb the walls, which Karri thinks is a good thing. “I’m all about downtime being fun,” she says. “They spend so much of their day sitting and memorizing things. Swinging from some monkey bars is good for their minds.”

A Miami penthouse designed so that adults and children could have their own space but all enjoy the same beautiful view

Karri Bowen-Poole has spent 10 years revolutionizing the way children learn and play, and occasionally she enjoys the designs herself.

inset: Slides, swings, ropes and a climbing wall make an active kid’s dream come true.

ELEVATED ART

ONE FLIGHT ABOVE GREENWICH AVENUE, THE DOORS OF THE TAYLOR/GRAHAM GALLERY OPEN TO REVEAL A VIBRANT AND WELCOMING ART-LOVERS PARADISE

by beth cooney fitzpatrick

In 1989, Abby Taylor and fellow fine art curator Vincent Vallarino first collaborated to open a streetscape gallery on the Avenue. About two years ago, after long tenures operating independent and still-flourishing Manhattan galleries, they returned to town with a shared second-floor space where sweeping walls are appointed with a mix of collectionworthy 19th- and early 20th-century American and European art, along with some thoughtfully curated sculpture and photography.

For Abby, this artful venture marks the

next phase in her evolution as dealer and curator. The granddaughter of Russian artist Simka Simkovich, a WPA (Works Progress Administration) muralist and American scene painter, and daughter of noted private art dealer Donald R. Purdy, Abby learned the fine art trade under his studied mentorship.

Today, she is a leader in the collection of specific art movements, including the Post War and New York School markets, and is known for identifying artists whose works are increasing in value. In the abstract space, she

takes a similar approach to curation, seeking out the work of artists who went out of vogue but are beginning to experience a new fanbase and increasing value. Her clients include museums, collectors and interior designers. Abby is a secondary market dealer, meaning she owns much of what she sells, including the estates of many noteworthy artists. On our visit, the works of the late American painter Jane Piper, known for her abstract still lifes, brought juicy pops of color to the walls.

In Abby’s original Greenwich gallery,

above: Vincent Vallarino and Abby Taylor

impromptu sales to locals who wandered in off the street were a mainstay. “You would have a couple stroll in, sit down for a chat and leave with three pieces,” she says.

Yet the digital age has transformed the art market so much that Abby says despite all the amazing art hanging in her light-filled space, calling it a “gallery” almost feels antiquated. “I don’t view it as a gallery. I think of us more as a platform,” she says.

That’s because 80 percent of Abby’s current sales are to a far-flung international clientele who often make purchases sight unseen. These contemporary art consumers, she explains, are often collectors interested in acquiring the works of a specific creator or artistic movement that she or Vallarino curate.

“Technology and the way we access information has changed everything we do,” she says. “It’s just as important for me to be doing great video, providing detailed shots and provenance online as it is to hang things on our walls. But if someone really wants to see something in person, they may fly in to do that. We are moving forward with the world markets, and our entire approach is a reflection of that.”

While the nature of fine art acquisition has changed, Abby invites the curious to venture upstairs to explore. “We love it when people come up,” she says. “And we hope they will.”

ART SMARTS

Interested in finding great pieces for your home? Abby offers these tips

GET CREATIVE

While Abby supports a client’s desire to have art pair well with their design aesthetic, art doesn’t need to perfectly coordinate with a home’s interior to work. “Art can be an interesting surprise that makes a statement,” she says.

DISCOVER WHAT MOVES YOU

Explore art online and download images of pieces that you find especially appealing, she advises. “Show me those, and I can figure things out from there.”

STUDY UP

ABBY IS KNOWN FOR IDENTIFYING ARTISTS WHOSE WORKS ARE INCREASING IN VALUE. IN THE ABSTRACT SPACE, SHE TAKES A SIMILAR APPROACH TO CURATION, SEEKING OUT THE WORK OF ARTISTS WHO WENT OUT OF VOGUE BUT ARE BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE A NEW FANBASE AND INCREASING VALUE.

Taylor/Graham Gallery and Vallarino Fine Art are located at 166 Greenwich Avenue. taylorandgraham.com and vallarinonfineart.com.

Once you’ve identified artists you love, do some homework to learn more about curators, pricing and projected investment values.

THEN,

GO BACK TO THE EXPERTS

“Though I strongly encourage personal research, it’s important to seek out people with real expertise in the artists or movement that interest you. We can add so much subtext to the conversation and give perspective.”

EXPLORE

Abby recently worked with clients who owned paintings of an artist she represents. When they asked for more, she realized it was the artist’s style that interested her buyers most. So she sent examples of similar works by other creators. “This couple didn’t necessarily set out to build a collection of one artist. So, they were open to other options, and they bought a piece from a different artist. That can be an interesting way to build a collection too.”

The showroom: Robert Indiana, Hope, 2009 (red sculpture); Gene Davis, Flamingo 3, 1970 (painting); Lin Emery, Off Shoot, circa. 2015 (steel sculpture)

(seated) Michelet Hilarice, Vanessa Vallarino, Mark Ostrander, Masha Stroganova; (standing) Abby Taylor, Vincent Vallarino

DOUGLAS WRIGHT Douglas C. Wright Architects HEIDE HENDRICKS Hendricks Churchill

JOSH GREENE Josh Greene Design

MELISSA REAVIS Hollander Design

SUSANA SIMONPIETRI Chango

PHILIP MITCHELL Philip Mitchell Design

do

Date Night

TAKE A QUICK TRIP OVER THE BORDER FOR DINNER AND A MOVIE —AND SOME VERY SPECIAL ART

by valerie foster

For 23 years, the JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER has captured the hearts of audiences with its films, events, community screenings, visiting artists and special guests. But now there’s

another reason to head to this treasure in the heart of Pleasantville with the opening of the Take 3 Wine Bar & Café, the culmination of the theater’s renovation program. Adjacent to the café is a new exhibit in the Jane Peck Gallery, “Bill Gold: 70 Years of Iconic Movie Poster Designs.” Gold and his wife, Susan, lived in Greenwich for more than 20 years prior to his death in 2018.

“This is an exciting time for us,” says Jesse Modica, director of operations. “The café was created to enhance and elevate the movie-going experience with its clean, comfortable and warm design.” The menu at will feature seasonal fare supplied primarily by local purveyors, including Second Mouse Cheese Shop, Irving Farm, Feel Good Booch and New York City’s Balthazar.

Take 3 and the Jane Peck Gallery are open three days a week, Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. burnsfilmcenter.org.

A selection of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wines from Take 3 • The original drawing by Robert Peak alongside the final poster designed with Bill Gold for the 1964 classic My Fair Lady

The beer will be sourced from the Captain Lawrence Brewing Company and Soul Brewing Company, along with cider from Thompson’s Cider Mill. The wines include a selection of reds, whites, rosés and sparkling.

The Gold exhibit, running through August 31, was curated by Susan. “She gave us unprecedented access to his designs and prints, depicting the progression of his works from the early drafts to the final copy,” Modica says. There are also alternate poster designs and behind-the-scenes stories.

During his 70-year career, Gold worked with notable Hollywood filmmakers, including Laurence Olivier, Clint Eastwood, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Elia Kazan and Ridley Scott. His first poster was Yankee Doodle Dandy in 1942 and his final work was 2011’s, J. Edgar

“WE PLAY INDEPENDENT FILMS, ART FILMS, CLASSICS, DOCUMENTARIES. WE ARE INDIE CINEMA.”

—JESSE MODICA, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

ONSCREEN

JBFC films draw more than 200,000 people annually to the nonprofit. June’s features include:

JUNE 5

Rebel Without a Cause on 35mm

Part of JBFC’s monthly repertory, art and theater series

JUNE 6

But I’m a Cheerleader

A queer classic that will be followed by several Pride-focused films throughout the month

JUNE 12

Nye

Starring Michael Sheen as the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state

JUNE 21

The Bikeriders

A journey into 1960’s biker culture starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer

SATURDAY SCREENINGS FOR THE WEEKLY JBFC KIDS

Bambi, Finding Nemo, The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians

A patron enjoying the exhibit • Susan Gold shares captivating stories about her late husband's illustrious career

Blending art, food and film, the Take 3 Wine Bar and Café is adjacent to the Jane Peck Gallery that is currently showcasing the Bill Gold exhibit.

by mary kate hogan

GOOD TO GO eat

SUPR FOOD KITCHEN

19 West Elm Street, Greenwich suprfoodkitchen.com

HOURS

Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.

WSUPR FOOD KITCHEN SERVES UP FAST FOOD YOU DON’T HAVE TO FEEL GUILTY ABOUT

e all want to eat healthily, but when pressed for time, we’re more likely to grab convenient, less nutritious foods. Supr Food Kitchen’s CEO Fausto Mieres aims to transform the fast-food landscape with healthier choices that are super-quick—not only at his new casual eatery right off the Avenue but also via drive-thrus and vending machines.

“We’re trying to change the way people eat on the run,” Fausto says of Supr Food and its sister company, plant-based eatery Green & Tonic. “We are pioneers in healthy, fast-food, fast-casual concepts. And we prioritize our customers’ health first,” he adds, referring to the top-quality ingredients Supr Food sources (no seed oils used in anything, for instance) as well as his efforts to keep the food affordable.

The robust menu at Supr Food Kitchen spans breakfast to dinner with many gluten-free and vegan options. Start your day with cold-pressed

juices, smoothies or smoothie bowls (acai or other bases with toppings), quinoa-oatmeal bowls, sandwiches and omelets made with pasture-raised eggs, avocado toast and a cup of the Supr Brew high-polyphenol, organic coffee, made from beans roasted at a lower temperature to preserve their nutrients.

For lunch and dinner, the top-selling order is the sauté bowls, which start with brown rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice, topped with loads of different veggies, plus interesting sauces like Korean BBQ, sesame ginger and Moroccan, and the option to add proteins such as sauteed shrimp, charred chicken or sesame grilled tofu. Supr Food also serves veggie burgers, cauliflower-crust pizza and a solid selection of salads. With new family meal deals, you can order a variety of these dishes for a value price and have a wholesome, hassle-free dinner on the table in no time. For example, one family

bundle includes a kid’s Napoli cauliflower-crust pizza, two market plates with three sides, one kid sauté bowl, one adult sauté bowl and a soup for $30. Family meals that serve six are $40. Driving the kids to sports practice and don’t even have time for GrubHub or UberEats? Supr Food is launching its first healthy drive-thru in Darien this summer, with more locations to come. Also beginning in May, Supr Food is introducing healthy vending machines, where you will be able to grab healthy meals and snacks, such as smoothies, wraps, juices and salads.

The first locations are in offices in Stamford, and watch for more Supr Food vending machines coming soon to high-traffic locations in Fairfield and Westchester counties, including office break rooms, gyms, train stations, arenas and shopping centers. For those who prefer to sit down for a meal, there’s plenty of parking behind the Supr Food Kitchen café on West Elm. G

Need a quick bite? Pop into Supr Food Kitchen for healthy burritos, bowls and more.

g–mom

by eileen bartels

PICTURE PERFECT

TODAY’S POOL FLOATS ARE A FAR CRY FROM THE DRUGSTORE BLOW-UPS OF YESTERYEAR. FROM LARGE FORT-LIKE INFLATABLES TO INSTAGRAM-WORTHY SWANS, LIVEN UP YOUR SUMMER SCENE WITH AN ARRAY OF FRESH FLOATS

Chances are your Instagram feed is about to be filled with friends floating around on clever floats. Funboy is the company behind them. Entire birthday party or summer swim party themes can be built around a Funboy float. From the Barbie Dream Car ($139) to the Clear Rainbow Chaise ($79), the company offers the perfect party centerpiece. You don’t have to be royalty to have a bevy of swans in your pool for summer parties—swan floats are a fun backdrop and the perfect photo op. Funboy offers white and gold swans for ($79). Or add a little sparkle with the Pink Glitter Flamingo or Unicorn ($79). For the ultimate kid sleepover, there are also children’s air mattresses in shapes like convertible cars and castles ($79). funboy.com

DON'T FORGET THE COCKTAILS

Amazon’s inflatable swim-up Tiki Bar is six feet tall with space for ice and beverages ($200). amazon.com

Transform your pool into an island oasis with Funboy's Floating Cabana Bar ($79). Equipped with an awning to shield drinks, the inflatable bar is nearly six feet long with areas for ice and summer treats.

Urban Outfitters adds quirky floats to its site annually. Check out artist Jon Burgerman’s tenfoot Giant Hot Diggity Dog ($75). Walmart also sells giant slices of pizza, wedges of lime and frosted sprinkled donuts. urbanoutfitters.com walmart.com

The Bali Cabana Lounger, with room for two, comes with a shield option to protect you from the sun as you sip and float ($199). amazon.com

TAKE A BREAK

Slather on the sunscreen and just relax. Frontgate offers a range of floats in a variety of sizes—from the Lazy Day Pool Sling to a floating chaise longue. A few are high enough to keep you completely dry as you drift along. All are made of thick plastic or durable foam and are sure to last multiple years. Cupholders, headrest and adjustable features make these chairs hard to want to stay on land. Prices range $80 from $500 based on size, durability and options. frontgate.com

WATER SPORTS

Athletic floats are a great way to keep the family busy. And the best part? They can be deflated and stored. Many sporting good stores and online retailers offer inflatable basketball and volleyball nets. Sunnylife makes an inflatable glitter volleyball net ($55). A floating driving range is the ultimate water feature for anyone looking to practice their putt. Amazon offers various sizes. For adult fun, several online retailers sell beer pong floats ($29). sunnylife.com

In these warmer months, your backyard turns into a second living room, so stock it with outdoor entertainment to rival any man cave or she shed. Several retailers including Frontgate offer outdoor pool tables, ping pong tables and lawn games like bocce ball and croquet. Invest in options to keep everyone occupied so you can enjoy that great book under an umbrella.

NO POOL, NO PROBLEM

Entertain your kids and stay cool with inflatable backyard sprinklers. The Backyard Rocketship Sprinkler from Funboy is more than seven feet tall and has four water sprayers ($59), and the Rainbow Mushroom Sprinkler sits at five feet ($39). Sunnylife boasts six-foot tall Dino the Dinosaur and Giant Snail sprinklers ($75).

WATER BABIES

Taking the little ones into the pool? Check out the Float Together Baby Seat with a cabana for sun protection by Sunnylife ($30). There are also numerous fun inflatable armbands, noodles and glitter star wands.

LIFEGUARD ON DUTY

Who needs a treehouse when the kids can have a pool fort? The Swimline Giant Inflatable Floating Pool Castle holds four kids and features either a pirate theme or rainbow unicorn (under $200 from Amazon). Keep in mind that jumping around these forts is probably inevitable, so make sure there’s clearance between any floats and the sides of the pool. Adult supervision and keeping a running headcount of who is in the pool and where is always key.

SAVE YOUR BREATH

Yes, you can work on your lung capacity blowing up inflatables, but the easy way to go is an electric pump. If you plan to blow up the float where you won’t have access to power, make sure it can be plugged into your car. Some companies like Funboy sell pumps with three heads and the promise to fill even the largest float in less than three minutes ($25).

SEAWORTHY

If you're looking for floats to take to open water, check the body of water they're suitable for. RAVE Sports sells seaworthy floats from the Climbable Iceberg Pyramid ($3,500) to the Splash Zone Plus ($1,600). The Pond Guy carries RAVE and several other brands appropriate for lakes. thepondguy.com

IT’S SUMMERTIME!

No. 1 GIVE SUMMER SOME POP

Popsicles are synonymous with summer, and for good reason: They’re refreshing on hot days, help hydrate kids and adults alike, and are easy to hold, even for tiny toddler hands. While we don’t judge store bought varieties, making them lets you control the ingredients and doubles as a kid-friendly activity.

No. 2 YOU’RE INVITED!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

• 1 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

• ½ tsp. granulated sugar or honey

• 8 popsicle sticks

Instructions:

• Add juice and yogurt to a blender and pulse until fully combined.

• Add sugar and blend.

• Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and insert sticks.

• Place the molds in the freezer for 3 hours, or until the pops are completely solid.

• When ready, run hot water over the mold to release the ice pops.

• Enjoy!

Join Greenwich Riding and Trails Association at the 102nd annual horse show and luncheon on Sunday, June 9. Horse lovers of all ages are invited to join in on the fun afternoon in a beautiful backcountry setting and support the group’s mission to preserve and conserve open space. The horse show begins at 8:30 a.m. and the luncheon tent opens at 11 a.m. Information and tickets can be found at thegrta.org. FROM HORSING AROUND TO GROOVING

No. 3 TIME TO GROOVE

Greenwich has no shortage of free live music throughout the summer. Here’s what’s on tap.

For the littlest Music Lover

Greenwich Library hosts engaging concerts throughout the year for all ages—literally. The Petite Concert Series is developed with babies and preschoolers in mind. The 30-minute interactive concerts are a great way to stimulate a love of music. The upcoming show will highlight well-known musical selections with violinist Chie Yoshinaka at the Marx Family Black Box Theater. Tuesday, June 18 11–11:30am greenwichlibrary.com

Sunday Funday

Bring a picnic and listen to the sounds of the Sound Beach Community Band at Binney Park on July 28 and August 25 at 7 p.m.

Celebrate Hump Day

The Wednesday Night Concert Series is held at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park (unless otherwise noted) and begins at 7 p.m.

June 26:

The Bob Button Orchestra–big band, swing and show tunes (at Binney Park)

July 10:

Chasing Romeo–pop/rock

July 17:

Just Sixties–

The longest running sixties tribute band in U.S.

July 24:

River of Dreams–

Billy Joel tribute band

July 31:

Gunsmoke–Country

August 7:

The Future Heavies–Best of the ’80s

August 14:

Kings Highway–Best of the ’70s–’90s

August 21:

Billy and the Showmen–R & B

Rain date for all scheduled on Thursdays

In the Heart of Dixie Enjoy Jazz and a gorgeous setting aboard the Island Beach Ferry. Ferry departs the dock at 4 p.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Concerts will be held on Sunday, July 14 and Sunday, August 11, with rain dates the following Sundays. Park pass and ferry fees apply.

No. 4 CARS FOR KIDS No. 5

Grab the kids and head over to Town Hall on Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy spectacular vehicles on display for a fantastic cause—an array of classic, antique, custom and exotic cars and motorcycles, as well as vintage fire trucks will be on view. The family-fun event will also include a

DJ, a 50/50 drawing, food trucks and more. All proceeds will benefit the Greenwich Police Department Scholarship Fund. gpdscholarshipfund.org

THANKS, DAD!

Father’s Day is around the corner, and Greenwich Moms knows that it can take a little more intentional noticing to find the perfect little something for the guys. (They're not the easiest to shop for.) Check out great gift ideas at greenwichmoms.com. 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’t-miss events. Follow @greenwich_moms on Instagram, sign up for the newsletter and check out the calendar at greenwichmoms.com.

lisiewski

LUXURY PLAYROOMS:

INSIDE THE WORLD OF HIGH-END PLAYROOM DESIGN

Check out this incredible penthouse playroom in South Beach, Miami! This beautiful educational playroom includes:

Art Studio

Building Zone

Custom Mat

Two-Story Playhouse

Reading Nook

Custom Play Market

Climbing Wall Ninja Zone Spider Net

Use GREENWICHMAG discount code for 20% off all foam pits, foam cubes and rock wall panels. Code valid until 9/1/2024.

Smart Playrooms

Luxury Playroom Design Company

Proiect Plavroom E-Commerce Playroom Store

Nominations being accepted in the following categories:

Most Involved in the Arts

Most Dedicated Committee Member

Outstanding Philanthropist

Outstanding Teen Volunteer

Best Friend to Children

Best Health Advocate

Lifetime Achievement

Best Friend to Seniors

Most Involved Couple

Corporate Good Neighbor

ople

by

people&PLACES

Planning Parenthood

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) had a huge turnout for its annual Spring Luncheon—554 enthusiastic supporters at the Hyatt in Old Greenwich, along with over 100 virtual viewers. Comedian Cecily Strong, SCHMIGADOON! TV star, formerly of Saturday Night Live, was interviewed by comedian Samantha Bee, now on the PPSNE board.

Decade-long volunteer Danielle Eason, recent head of PPVotes!CT, received the Community Impact Award. Cochairs were Susan Beyman, Keri Cameron, Jane Carlin, Lindy Lilien and Mini Nunna. It raised a record $1 million in support of reproductive healthcare for 52,000 patients across Connecticut and Rhode Island. plannedparenthood.org »

PLANNED PARENTHOOD / Hyatt Regency Greenwich

alison nichols

1 Alessandra Messineo Long, Amy Andrews, Pepper Andersen, Naomi Azrak, Debbie Fields 2 Honoree Danielle Eason, PPSNE CEO Amanda Skinner 3 Catherine Marcus, Amanda Miller, Maura Brickman, Nancy Alchek 4 Laura Geffs, Nancy Wissler, Kristen Kratky 5 Josiah and Kristen Miller, Daniel Sinasohn 6 Paige Shockley, Kelly Anunziato, Jennifer Landry Le 7 Donna Moffly, Anne Wichman 8 Heidi Maund with her mother, Susan Ness

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BOB CAPAZZO

1 Cecily Strong interviewed by Samantha Bea 2 Dr. Frances Ginsburg, Rabbi Gerry Ginsburg 3 Mike and Sally Harris, Anne-Marie Ziegler

4 Juanita James, Sue Bodson 5 Nancie Schwarzman, Kare Gahle, Sue Hessel

6 Liz Williams, Carolyn Surgent, Tess Resman 7 Lisa Mandel, Helaine Winer, Pam Liftlander, Kathy McCormack

8 Danielle Eason at podium 9 Amy Rabenhorst, Keri Cameron 10 Sherry Wernicke (c.) with Samantha and Cecily

11 Goodie Bag 12 Dr. John Morton, PPSNE board member

13 Yashmin Lloyds, Tenley Reed, Suzie

Jellinek, Jessica Dubner 14 Audrey and Drew

Klotz, Tracy Hambley 15 Christina Downey, Kristen Kratky 16 Erica Buchsbaum, Ali Gray

17 Melinda Anderson, Cristin Marandino

18 Nancy Stillerman (c.) with Samantha and Cecily 19 Ann Hagmann, Cricket Lockhart

20 Cochairs Jane Carlin, Lindy Lilien, Mini Nunna, Susan Beyman, Keri Cameron

21 Cynthia Blumenthal 22 Nicole Heath, Mary Scott Himes, Karen Petersen Mehra

23 Shira Tarantino, Trevor Crowe 24 Audience

enjoying Cecily Strong’s clown act on Saturday Night Live »

Carefully Curated Cuisine

Tony’s at the J House was a packed house for greenwich magazine’s ninth Greenwich Restaurant Week opening night soirée. Guests feasted on bites and libations from some of our town’s finest food and drink purveyors. Thank you to all our sponsors and participating restaurants. Cheers to next year! G

1 Chef Nadia Ramsey, Chef Henri Donneaux from Bistro V 2 Little Pub in the house 3 Ethan Hughes, Petra van der LeeSaichin, Christina Koizim from Coffee for Good 4 Laura Walsh, Stephanie Peele, Susan Hardesty 5 Jodi Applegate Kay, Nicole Glor, Emily Brahms, Barbara Zaccagnini 6 Team La Taqueria 7 Greg D’Agostino 8 Frank Gaudio, Gabriela Carbonetti, Daniel Suozzo 9 Daniel and Barbara Pozzi, Joanne Slathery, Peter Deutsch 10 Corrine Ayoub, Kim Clarey 11 Eugenia Tiano, Stacy Gorman 12 Dana Pax, Jennifer Graziano

13 Rachel Biasetti, Withley Verdiner, Blair Church 14 Vald and Amy Etinger 15 Chloe Hadden, Stephanie Devaney 16 Janice Perna-Nicholas, Sonia Esther Torres Waters 17 Jen Danzi, Chelsea Woody, Rohan Virmani 18 Eileen Murphy, Susan Kriskey 19 Rachel Shorten, Tony Capasso 20 Renee Parent of BE Chocolate 21 John Hone, Jill Kelly, Susie Moore, Jonathan Moffly 22 Sushi platter perfect from the team at Miku & Hinoki 23 Joanna Wojtcvuk, Suzanna Kudzinowski, Kim Scalfina 24 Christian and Annette Perry, Tom Torelli, Rich Granoff 25 Cocktails by Dos Hombres

Preserving the stunning architecture of a historic waterfront estate while reimagining it for a modern family is no easy task … unless you have the right team and vision

by mary kate hogan

photography by robert benson

Points of View

opposite page: Original moldings and ceiling medallions were carefully preserved; The living room fireplace was enhanced by a custom hand-painted mural. here: Throughout the house, voluminous drapes were traded for simple-yet-elegant panels to keep focus on the views.

Like the original owner of this elegant estate, the homeowners—a young family with four kids—were seduced by its prime location on Long Island Sound. More than a century ago, yachtsman and construction tycoon Henry Steers selected this impressive piece of land with 440 feet of shoreline to build a grand U-shaped masonry house known as Eastover. Featured in The Great Estates, the European-style house built for Steers in 1916 included a large, raised stone terrace with staircases leading to an expansive lawn and down to the water with a stone pier and sandy beach. Steers, it seems, was an early adopter of indoor-outdoor living, which 100-plus years later is a focus for the current homeowners, too.

“My husband always wanted to live by the water,” the homeowner says. “It calms him and reminds him of when he lived in California. We took one tour of the house and fell in love with the location and the finishes.” Key original details of the house include nine fireplaces, a grand staircase, cornices, moldings, ornamental ceiling medallions and stonework that all add to the home’s pedigree, giving it a sense of place and history that distinguish it from any new build.

“It felt like Jay Gatsby was about to throw an epic party,” says the homeowner, who was attracted to the high ceilings and moldings as well as the incredible views. Though the spacious house has excellent bones and had been renovated previously, at the time of purchase it needed significant restoration work as well as a décor overhaul, transforming it from something formal and a bit stuffy (think voluminous drapes and heavy fabrics) into a home that’s comfortable and livable for a busy, active family of six.

above: A substantial deep-water dock is one of the many assets of this shoreline estate built in 1916 right: The exterior went from pink Mediterranean with terracotta roof to a crisp white-and-black scheme.

above: For this new front-entry vestibule and balcony, Charles Hilton Architects called for classical pilasters, paneling and trim, all constructed in cellular PVC for easy maintenance. The exterior door and windows were fabricated in mahogany by Artistic Doors and Windows. below: Inside the entry hall, the staircase is original as is the fireplace, which acts as a focal point along with contemporary art hanging above it.

“Older homes can be reimagined. This is a great contemporary example of that. You wind up with a more unique and special home than you would have if you started from scratch. ”

—charles hilton

Design goals included making the most of the panoramic views and furnishing the house for wash-and-wear life with four kids.

To bring this century-old classic up to modern living standards, the homeowners called on Rob Rizzo of Cobble Court Interiors and Charles Hilton Architects, a team of pros she loved, saying, “you’ll find their names under G.O.A.T. in an urban dictionary.” Rob had worked with the family previously and understood their tastes and preferences. “He knew right away what I wanted,” she says. Charles Hilton and Nick Rotondi, project manager, had started work on the house with its last owner, so they understood the challenges and requirements for updating the property while preserving its character.

Design goals included making the most of the panoramic views and furnishing the house for wash-and-wear life with four kids. The homeowner says, “Our must-haves included a mudroom with a locker/launchpad for each kid, a family room that would be near the kitchen and a basement that can host sleepovers and Nerf gun battles.”

While addressing these needs, the architects along with general contractor Colin Christensen, also worked on dealing with many functional issues, such as making the building envelope more efficient and installing new windows and

French doors that complement the house’s style, yet can withstand the weather demands of its waterfront location. The team collaborated to blend function with aesthetics. Outside, the house’s former Mediterranean look of pink stucco with terracotta barrel roof was replaced with a more understated black-and-white scheme. Inside, the palette of calming blues, grays and creams was inspired by the hues of the Sound. An addition allowed for an expansive kitchen, that must-have mudroom as well as extra garage space for the family’s minivan. To make better use of the home’s already generous square footage, a few rooms were swapped to improve flow; upstairs, bedrooms were converted into en-suites.

LIGHT AND LIVABLE

To create an open kitchen and everyday living area, Rob moved the dining room and converted that space adjacent to the kitchen into a comfortable, multipurpose family room where the kids gather to play, do homework or work on puzzles while their mom is cooking. All the family room

opposite page: In the breakfast room, the family can gather at this custom round table and take in views so direct it feels almost as though they’re on a boat. above and right: Working with Karen Berkemeyer Home on the kitchen, designer Rob Rizzo opted for mirrored insets on the highest cabinets to make them more practical for storage and add light and shine in the space.

above: This sitting room in the primary suite doubles as a spot for the family to curl up and watch TV together. left: For the hallway near the front foyer, the designer chose a handpainted wallcovering by Schumacher that has such depth and richness there’s no need for art. opposite: Pretty arches and a hallway finished in a soft geometric paper lead to the homeowner’s “cloffice,” a combined closet and office space.

furnishings are designed for durabilit. The walls are finished in a wipeable vinyl wallcovering from Surfaces by David Bonk and couches and swivel chairs covered in high-performance fabrics from Cowtan and Tout.

“They look lush and plush, but they’re all washable and user-friendly,” says Rob, who chose a textured fabric that never shows stains. The kitchen was reconfigured to encompass a breakfast area with a custom round table. “With the floor-to-ceiling windows you can really enjoy that panoramic view in the morning,” Chuck Hilton notes.

The team worked with kitchen designer Mary-Beth Oliver of Karen Berkemeyer Home to plan a kitchen that isn’t all white. Counters are finished in a book-matched surface that resembles the sand on the beach, and the oversized wall tiles have a reflective surface that gives them a sheen.

“The homeowner is a glam girl, and she wanted a little sparkle,” Rob explains. Echoing the home’s setting, the granite topping the island has lots of movement to it, like waves, and the La Cornue range is a beautiful pale blue.

For entertaining or more formal meals, the family’s dining room was relocated into a what was previously a sunroom/garden room that still has hose spigots and drainage in the floor (for hosing off plants). The room’s intricate trellis

Inside, the palette of calming blues, grays and creams was inspired by the hues of the Sound.

top: This chic “Hers” bathroom is enlivened by the modern Trove wallcovering and a graphic carpet between the vanity and shower.

left and above: The former primary bedroom was painted yellow; a fresh blue-and-gray scheme with contemporary furnishings now elevates the serene room.

right: One of nine working fireplaces in the house

detailing on the walls was carefully preserved and painted a pale bluegray. Old brick floors are topped with a lush custom carpet from Castelluxe Rugs. Doors open onto the stone patio with its picturesque vista.

Situated between the dining room and family room, the formal living room remained in place but underwent a stylish update. The pale-green fireplace wall serves as focal point. Rob hired a French company to create the textural, hand-painted mural that surrounds it, decorated with 24-carat gold bees, butterflies and hummingbirds that appear to fly off the wall. With the layers of decorative moldings in this room, the designer looked for more contemporary lighting. Of the impetus behind his choices, Rob says, “They’re a young couple with young kids. This is not our parents’ house. Let’s have fun!”

SWEET DREAMS

For the second-level bedrooms, Rob designed around not only the husband and wife’s preferences but also each child’s wishes. He interviewed the kids, two boys and two girls, to learn their vision for their bedrooms. One son was not shy in sharing dreams that go beyond Long Island Sound: He longed for a tropical vibe and palm trees. Rob made it happen. He stumbled upon some faux trees at a boutique in Palm Beach, and the

canvas-and-wood trees with bendable leaves are now flanking the fireplace in the boy’s room. This son’s room also has a new desk nook with built-in bookshelves and views that must distract from any homework.

The other son’s nautically themed bedroom is wrapped in a vintage sailboat-motif wallpaper from Hermès. The youngest daughter asked for rainbows and wound up with a multicolored custom coverlet on the bed, sheer drapes enhanced with little sequins and purple Quadrille paper on the wall.

The husband and wife’s bedroom is more like a wing of the house, consisting of a sitting room with fireplace, the sleeping room, separate hisand-hers bathrooms and her favorite room, which she calls her “cloffice.”

It’s a walk-in closet with a sofa and a second vanity installed so her kids can do their homework or makeup next to her. Her glam bathroom is decked out in trippy Trove floral wallpaper in multi shades of blue, while his is very masculine with rich wood detailing. In the actual bedroom, the team worked to preserve the formal empire trim and restore the old brass hardware—“unbelievable details you would never find today,” Rob notes.

PLAY SPACE

While the lower level rec room is now a much-loved zone for the kids to spend time with friends and for the husband to play nine holes on his golf

above: A pair of canvas and wood palm trees lend a subtle tropical touch to this beachy boy’s bedroom.

“Our must-haves included a basement that can host sleepovers and Nerf gun battles.”

—the homeowner

above left: One daughter requested a rainbow theme for her bedroom, and the designer delivered in sophisticated style with a Quadrille wallpaper and custom coverlet. above right: A boy’s nautically themed room features striped bedding and a vintage Hermes sailboat wallpaper. below and opposite: A Full Swing golf simulator is one of the big attractions of the finished basement rec space.

simulator, renovating this area was definitely not fun and games. Both architect and homeowner noted this being one of the biggest challenges of the project. “Prior to 2020, I didn’t know the word Radon existed,” she says, adding that they had to put safety precautions in place to keep it at an acceptable level. The basement was previously “a dark cavern, a little warren of service rooms,” Chuck says. The area needed to be completely opened up, and careful planning went into redoing the mechnicals in a strategic manner so the pipes and ducts are not visible.

To accommodate the golf simulator from Full Swing, the team had to create more headroom—a 10-foot minimum. Hard rock ledge below the house needed to be jackhammered down about four feet, a process handled very carefully to avoid undermining the masonry walls. The whole space also needed water-proofing. Now that it’s finished, the lower level also houses two gyms, one for adults and one for the kids.

“My teens live in the basement and host hangouts and study groups downstairs,” the wife says. “Thank goodness there is a door, so I don’t need to see the mess every day.”

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Even with all the lovely rooms and fabulous amenities inside this home, the outside surroundings hold equal, if not greater, appeal. Every room on the first floor has double doors leading out to the large terrace, ideal for family use and entertaining; guests can mingle inside and out. Beyond the expansive lawn there’s a sizeable stone pier with deep-water access for swimming and boating.

“Our children have learned to love the Sound,” says the homeowner. “What’s not to love? In the summer my kids like to go on a kayak or paddle board. We also like to be on the water and are blessed with friends

who can pick us up from the dock.” In the summer months, the family enjoys watching regular fireworks displays from neighboring yacht clubs.

The home’s excellent outdoor space is about to become even more enjoyable as a pool and pool house are currently under construction. Of course, the owners turned to the same dream team to make it happen, pros who have the vision to preserve a classic house while rendering it incredibly well suited to modern living. “Older homes can be reimagined. This is a great contemporary example of that,” Chuck says. “You wind up with a more unique and special home than you would have if you started from scratch. We now have a house that will live well for generations.”

As for the family living in it now, the world is their oyster. G

above left: For this new elevator, an increasingly popular home feature, the interior is fitted with white oak paneling. above right: Throughout the lower level pipes are cleverly concealed behind lighted cove moldings.

heart and hustle

young entrepreneurs from greenwich show that they’ve got the goods

by jill johnson mann

Tuck Shop

SARAH MICHLER AND CAROLINE WITMER

PHEBE GRIER HUTH

Breck & Grier

ALI KAMINETSKY

Modern Picnic

She ’ s Got It In the Bag

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Riverside native Phebe Grier Huth had graduated from college with a communications degree and started a new job. Her sister, Elizabeth Breckinridge (“Brecky,” or “Breck,” for short), was graduating with a business degree that spring. After being furloughed, Phebe pondered what to do with her time and creative energy. Her mom suggested, “Everyone loves your bags.” The year before, Phebe had designed two handpainted bags as gifts for friends who were graduating a year ahead of her at Furman University in South Carolina.

Soon the sisters had transformed the family’s basement into a studio “with bags everywhere and paint everywhere,” says Phebe, who was 23 at the time. “Our friends and Mom [an event planner] would help us paint. It really took off. It was a happy accident.” She built

a website, and the demand for the “Brecky” tote soon outgrew their little cottage industry. Phebe turned to her entrepreneurial dad for advice on scaling the business, which began with revamping the site. She recalls, “He said, ‘What’s the worst that can happen? You fail?’”

Soon Breck & Grier offered styles from clutches to backpacks, which take you from farmer’s market to brunch to beach to date night. The bags are handwoven from palm leaves by artisans in Marrakech.

“The factory we work with is all women. It’s run by women, it only employs women, and oftentimes in their home, so that they can care for

their children,” explains Phebe, who values ethics and sustainability. She adds, “All leather in the new collection is vegan leather, which also helps with durability.” The brand has been involved in some collaborations benefitting breast cancer and has more in the works.

While some of Breck & Grier’s recent lines are not painted, the popular original collection is still handpainted—by Phebe in Charleston, South Carolina, where she has been living for the past couple of years. The Brecky tote is still the bestseller. Breck helped until the pandemic lifted and she could commence her job search. “She still helps me do spreadsheets,” says Phebe, who

top: Phebe toting a handpainted Mimi clutch

spends half her time doing social media consulting for female-owned businesses and half her time on the “fun and therapeutic” Breck & Grier.

Recently Phebe had a stranger tap her on her shoulder and ask if she was carrying a Breck & Grier bag. “I was carrying the Emily,” recounts Phebe. “I said, ‘Yes, and I’m Grier!’ That has never happened. I work by myself, for myself. It can be lonely, so that was cool.”

Phebe was on one of her frequent trips to Greenwich for this interview and felt the rewards of looking in the rearview mirror at the back of her car, packed with totes and thinking, “I did this.”

Along with fashion, travel is one of Phebe’s design inspirations. “It’s hard for me to sit still. I was in Italy this summer, and all the blues and the waves—a lot of the logos are coastalinspired,” she says. “That’s what drew me to the wave of our new Wave collection. I thought, how can I get that on a bag? We also spend a lot of time on the water. My family is in Riverside, near the water, right next to the yacht club. I use my straw tote year-round. It’s a summer bag for a lot of people, but it’s just such a pretty material.”

What’s ahead? “We will be expanding the Wave collection in a few more colors—light blue and dark brown—and adding a few new

“ The goal is that Breck & Grier is a very happy, easy-to-wear brand, and we want to be accessible.”

styles, including a clutch. For fall, we are looking at some new materials, hopefully canvas, leather and a few others. Painting will always be the heart of the business, but I’m only one human, and I’m also a control freak, so I can’t scale that part,” she says, chuckling. “The goal is that Breck & Grier is a very happy, easy-towear brand, and we want to be accessible. I’m 27 and can’t afford a designer brand oftentimes.”

The line ranges from the Quinn Mini Tote ($45) to the Ridgely Tote ($200). Most bags ship the next business day. Custom-painted bags can take three to four weeks (but often arrive sooner). »

above: The Pia Tote left: The Ridgely Tote

right: The Abby Crossbody Mini Tote

below: The Phebe Backpack

Setting a High Bar

HIGH SCHOOL BESTIES LAUNCH ONE SWEET BUSINESS

Sarah Michler and Caroline Witmer are giving new meaning to the term sweet spot, with a chocolate business that melds work and friendship, cacao and cranberries, cherished destinations and artful packaging.

The Tuck Shop founders grew up just a few miles apart—Sarah in Riverside and Caroline in

Greenwich—but met in boarding school at Deerfield Academy and shared a love for Nantucket. “We always said we wanted to do something together. The catalyst for Tuck Shop was the closing of Sweet Inspirations, our favorite little chocolate shop on Nantucket,” explains Caroline. “That was 2019, but it was really 2023 when we looked

each other in the eye and said, ‘Let’s do this.’”

Sarah came up with the name: “We wanted to honor Nantucket. I think I was in London at the time, and there they call a candy or confectioner’s shop a ‘tuck’ shop. I heard my nephew say, ‘I gotta get my tuck.’” And so, tuck stuck.

Both were 33, embarking on motherhood and looking for a change. Caroline had an Economics degree from Brown and a career in finance. Sarah a degree in anthropology from Cornell and a film background. They combined their strengths and catapulted from idea to product in a mere four months. “We balance each other in a great way,” says Sarah. “We are both very driven and work really hard, but we laugh a lot.”

Caroline gives Sarah the credit for spurring her on. “Sarah is the ‘let’s try, let’s see what happens’ person, and historically I’m more cautious,” says Caroline. “I had left a job in private equity and was doing consulting to help female founders in consumer products secure funding, and I was at this crossroads. I’d just had my second child. Sarah is incredibly high energy and positive. She said, ‘What are you waiting for?’ The combination of Sarah and my mom gave me the courage.” The duo dug into their networks to cull any

photography by lacy kiernan carroll • styled by farrell crowley & grace harris

above: Tuck Shop founders Sarah Michler and Caroline Witmer

chocolate expertise. “We tasted so much chocolate!” recounts Caroline. “Then Sarah went to a wedding and serendipitously was seated next to a man who had run a chocolate business for twenty years, which had closed during Covid. He linked us to his partner, an incredibly talented woman in Brooklyn who knows how to create products but needed a business arm. It was a match made in heaven.”

Heavenly is an apt description for the three bars in the Nantucket Collection: 70 percent Dark Chocolate with Touch of Sea Salt, 40 percent Milk Chocolate, and 55 percent Dark Chocolate with Cranberries ($38 for three 100-gram bars). The packaging is adorned with sweet drawings—by artist Tess Ramirez of My Father’s Daughter Designs—of the Brandt Point Lighthouse, a Sconset trellis, a sailboat, a beach cruiser and other images that conjure summer days on the idyllic island.

As the Tuck Shop founders both live in New York, the Big Apple was the next obvious inspiration for a few chocolate bars—one of which blends pretzels into the mix and another a hint of coffee. For the new L.A. bar, the pair had fun picking drawings for the packaging. “We had to use a car,” says Sarah, whose hus-

band’s job as a director takes them to L.A. “As a New Yorker, I tried to walk everywhere, and you just don’t do that in L.A.!” Along with a vintage car are palm trees, the Santa Monica pier, Capitol Records, an old-school movie camera, a Sunset Boulevard street sign, the Hollywood sign and a surf shack.

“We both love chocolate—obviously,” says Sarah. “It’s hard to find chocolate here that compares to European chocolate. We wanted to use whole ingredients and have an indulgent chocolate.” The bars are made from Colombian-sourced cocoa, and some are vegan. A smaller bar will debute soon.

Customers have the option of customizing their packaging with text and/or an image, which is a memorable touch for a baby shower,

“ I t has also been fun to do this with little kids who get to watch their moms working and doing something they love together. ”

—Caroline Witmer

wedding or corporate gift. Sarah says, “Caroline and I started this in part because chocolate is so joyful. It’s so fun to be a part of these different celebrations and help people envision their message and design.”

Caroline notes, “Everyone from Greenwich has been so supportive. We’ve done amazing popups, with our friend Avery Carpenter, who wrote the book Social Engagement, and with Ashley McCormick, who runs ASHA, and others. It has also been fun to do this with little kids who get to watch their moms working and doing something they love together.”

Sarah adds, “My daughters pretend to send her daughter emails about their work.” They are twoand three-years-old, and no doubt have big futures ahead of them. »

above: With adorable hand-drawn wrapping, the chocolate bar’s outside is as sweet as the inside.

above: As little girls, Sarah (top) and Caroline (bottom) spent summers on Nantucket. (Both girls are on their Dads’ laps.)

Life ’ s a Picnic

A THRIVING STARTUP FILLS A UNIQUE NEED IN GOOD TASTE LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY

In 2016, Ali Kaminetsky graduated from Lehigh University and headed to the Big Apple to start her new job as a buyer for Macy’s, when she ran into a problem. Crazy high rent for shoebox-size apartments? Ubiquitous fashion flair that made getting dressed each morning like preparing for a Project Runway competition? Well, no, not exactly, but her conundrum was somewhat related to these facets of life in NYC.

“I was bringing my lunch to work every day. It was faster, cheaper, healthier—all the girls in the office were doing it,” recounts Ali. “But there was no chic, functional, sustainable way to do so, and when I went online to buy myself a lunchbox, all the options were for kids and men.”

Parents of the Uber Eats generation, there is hope: Ali assures us that when faced with the prospect of blowing their paychecks on “disgusting” lunches, young adults will actually prepare their own food. They just need a cool way to tote

their cuisine to work, and this Greenwich native created the solution.

“I had absolutely no idea how to take an idea in my head and execute it,” says Ali, who studied marketing and communications in school. “It took me two years. I had no background in product development or manufacturing or fundraising. I figured it out as I went along.”

A Division 1 tennis player, Ali has always been ambitious. She says she took the energy and focus she used to bring to the court and channeled it into her new company: Modern Picnic.

“My naiveté worked in my favor,” she says.

“I had no fear of failure. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.” Ali took her business to seven figures and it soon outgrew her parents’ garage in Greenwich.

The Modern Picnic line looks like a designer handbag collection. The Tote ($250) is made of vegan leather and comes in classy white with black accents, cream or black (in croc or canvas). A removable insulated pouch turns a bag lunch into a covert passenger in a sleek vessel for everything a gal needs to get through the day—from laptop to lunch to lipstick. The Backpack ($210) also plays double duty with an insu-

above: Ali showing off Modern Picnic food containers that fit perfectily in her Black Croc Large Luncher

“ My naivete worked in my favor. I had no fear of failure. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. ”

lated compartment, plus room for work and play and primping essentials. The Luncher ($159) is a purse-size chic lunchbox option. The Snacker ($59) looks like a leather makeup case but is built for a sandwich or snack and is easily wipeable, as are all Modern Picnic products. A new wicker collection takes the picnic basket aesthetic to a whole new level of chic.

Ali’s concept was so unique that she landed a coveted spot on the hit show Shark Tank.

“Since I started Modern Picnic, people kept saying, ‘You should go on Shark Tank.’ Nothing like this existed,” says Ali. “I wasn’t picked the first year. I applied again and was chosen the next year.” The episode aired February 2.

Modern Picnic did not land the $400,000 investment Ali was seeking, but she got some great advice (lower the hefty marketing budget), and her website saw a 915 percent bump in site traffic compared to the prior day.

“It was really surreal and amazing, being able to pitch in front of the sharks, and to actually air was an honor and privilege,” she says. “Sometimes ‘no,’ just means ‘maybe later.’”

Modern Picnic is now catching on with the

younger set as well. “We had a Mini Luncher that wasn’t for little girls, but we found that little girls were carrying them,” explains Ali. “So we created a Mommy and Me collection.”

Those who like taking their lunch to work but don’t like leaving a furry friend at home can have their Modern Picnic product customized with a picture of their pet. “We partnered with an incredible female artist, who handpaints from

photos customers submit,” says Ali. “We have a longstanding relationship with PETA. All of our products are vegan-friendly and reusable to minimize plastic and paper waste.”

Giving back is intrinsic to the brand. Other charitable partners include The Pink Agenda, City Harvest, The Trevor Project and Dress for Success. Modern Picnic can be found at Saks, Bloomingdale’s, select boutiques and modernpicnic.com. G

top: Although Ali didn’t get a Shark to bite, she got invaluable advice, and her website took off after the episode aired.

above: Black Large Luncher above right: Black Wicker Mini

and to Our Amazing Previous Sentinel Honorees

Stephanie Dunn Ashley

Bob Capazzo

Frank Gaudio

Chief Jim Heavey

Rev. Dr. James Lemler

James McArdle

Pamela Pagnani

Susan Wohlforth

Join Us at the Feel Good Party of the Year Thursday, June 27 Visit GreenwichSentinel.com for details.

Works by Ernest Garthwaite

Sorokin Gallery

The Sorokin Gallery is pleased to present a captivating exhibition, “Summer Interlude, A Retrospective,” by longtime Greenwich resident Ernest Garthwaite. An opening night reception will be held on Thursday, June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., and the show runs through July. Over the past five decades Garthwaite has built a large catalog of acrylic paintings that merge color field painting and landscape with the abstract expressionist form of stained canvas using oil and 23k gold leaf. His works vary in size up to 20 feet long, ranging in subject matter both objective and abstract. By using convex curved surfaces on wood, parabolic shapes on canvas, and new paint application procedures, his works create a new way of looking at the movement of light, color and natural phenomena. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Greenwich Point Conservancy.

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, spectacular gardens and grounds, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. caramoor.org

CAVALIER GALLERIES, 405 Greenwich Ave., 869-3664. cavaliergalleries .com

CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING, 299 West Ave., Norwalk, 899-7999. contemprints.org

CLARENDON FINE ART, 22 Main Street, Westport, 293 0976. clarendonfineart.com

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

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. A studio school that offers a visual arts education program for kids and adults. greenwichartsociety.org

GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 47 Strickland Rd., 869-6899. greenwichhistory.org

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

KENISE BARNES FINE ART, 1947 Palmer Ave., Larchmont, NY, 914-834-8077. kbfa.com

LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM, 295 West Ave., Norwalk, 838-9799. lockwoodmathews mansion.com

LOFT ARTISTS ASSOCIATION, 575 Pacific St., Stamford, 247-2027. loftartists.org

MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

NEUBERGER MUSEUM OF ART, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase, NY, 914-251-6100. neuberger.org

PELHAM ART CENTER, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham, NY, 914-738-2525 ext. 113. pelhamartcenter.org

ROWAYTON ARTS CENTER, 145 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton, 866-2744. rowaytonarts.org »

Seven Bridges

Located on 80 acres in backcountry Greenwich, Seven Bridges is comprised of two galleries totaling 28,000 square feet, with an outdoor sculpture collection sited to harmonize with its natural surroundings. The 1,200-piece collection featuring the work of 20th-century masters as well as emerging artists includes large-scale figurative paintings, glass sculptures, outdoor sculptures and photography offering a unique museum experience. Visit sevenbridges.org for upcoming events and exhibits.

SAMUEL OWEN GALLERY, 382 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 325-1924. samuelowen.org

SILVERMINE GUILD ARTS CENTER, 1037 Silvermine Rd., New Canaan, 966-9700. silvermineart.org

SANDRA MORGAN INTERIORS & ART PRIVÉ, 135 East Putnam Ave., 2nd flr., Greenwich, 629-8121. sandramorganinteriors.com

SORELLE GALLERY Bedford Square, 19 Church Lane, Westport, 920-1900. sorellegallery.com

SOROKIN GALLERY, 96 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, 856-9048. sorokingallery.com

STAMFORD ART ASSOCIATION, 39 Franklin St., Stamford, 325-1139. stamfordartassociation.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

TAYLOR GRAHAM GALLERY, 80 Greenwich Aveue, Greenwich, 489-3163. taylorandgraham.com

UCONN STAMFORD ART GALLERY, One University Pl., Stamford, 251-8400. artgallery.stamford.uconn.edu

WESTPORT ARTS CENTER, 19 Newtown Turnpike Westport, 226-7070. mocawestport.org

AVON THEATRE FILM CENTER, 272 Bedford St., Stamford, 661-0321. avontheatre.org

CURTAIN CALL, The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford, 329-8207. curtaincallinc.com

DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE, 263 Golden Hill St.,Bridgeport, 576-1636. dtcab.com

LECTURES, TOURS & WORKSHOPS

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-0198. aldrichart.org

AUDUBON GREENWICH, 613 Riversville Rd., 869-5272. greenwich.audubon.org

AUX DÉLICES, 231 Acosta St., Stamford, 326-4540, ext. 108. auxdelicesfoods.com

BOWMAN OBSERVATORY PUBLIC NIGHT, NE of Milbank/East Elm St. rotary on the grounds of Julian Curtiss School, 869-6786, ext. 338

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.org

CLAY ART CENTER, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, NY, 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org

YALE CENTER FOR BRITISH ART, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven, 432-2800. britishart.yale.edu

YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven, 432-0611. artgallery.yale.edu

YANKELL LEGACY GALLERY, 61 Studio Court., Stamford, 610-213-2749. yankelllegacygallery.com

CONCERTS, FILM & THEATER

ARENA AT HARBOR YARD, 600 Main St., Bridgeport, 345-2300. websterbankarena.com

Caramoor

Kicking off the summer, Caramoor will celebrate its 10-year collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center with virtuoso jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader Wynton Marsalis on Saturday, June 22. Sometimes called the “Pied Piper” of jazz, Marsalis’s astonishing career has encompassed the release of 127 jazz, classical and alternative recordings. And his passion for education has led him to become Director of Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School, President of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. For a full calendar of performances and events visit caramoor.org »

Seven Bridges Gallery

Wynton Marsalis

CONNECTICUT CERAMICS STUDY CIRCLE, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. ctcsc.org

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, 259-1598. fairfieldhistory.org

FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY, On StageOne, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, 259-1036. fairfieldtheatre.org

GOODSPEED OPERA HOUSE, 6 Main St., East Haddam, 860-873-8668. goodspeed.org

GREENWICH BOTANICAL CENTER, 130 Bible St., 869-9242. gecgreenwich.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

RIDGEFIELD THEATER BARN, 37 Halpin Ln., Ridgefield, 431-9850. ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org

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

Greenwich Historical Society

Season four of Greenwich Historical Society’s beloved “Music on the Great Lawn” concert series kicks o on ursday, May 30, with the classic rock sounds of Chasing Romeo and will continue every other ursday evening through September 5. Concert grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Performances are from 6:30 to 8 p.m.—$10 for non-members, free for members and children under 18. Reservations are required. For more information visit: greenwichhistory.org/music-on-the-great-lawn »

Get Your Photo Published in Greenwich Magazine!

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 photos@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!

2024 SEASON

MAY 18 NEIL YOUNG + CRAZY HORSE

MAY 24 THE BEACH BOYS W/ DAVE MASON

YOUR SUMMER CONCERT HOME!

MAY 31 COLE SWINDELL W/ DYLAN SCOTT & MACKENZIE CARPENTER

JUNE 1 THE BRYSON TILLER TOUR

JUNE 13 TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVE W/ BIG BOI

JUNE 14 BONNIE RAITT

JUNE 18 NIALL HORAN

JUNE 20 JAY WHEELER

JUNE 21 BILLY CURRINGTON W/ LARRY FLEET & REDFERRIN

JUNE 23 SARAH MCLACHLAN W/ FEIST

JUNE 28 LAINEY WILSON W/ IAN MUNSICK & ZACH TOP

JULY 23 HALESTORM & I PREVAIL W/ HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD & FIT FOR A KING F OR A KING

JULY 24 SAMMY HAGAR W/ LOVERBOY

JULY 26 / 27 BILLY STRINGS

JULY 30 CHICAGO AND EARTH, WIND & FIRE

AUG 2 QUEENS OF R&B: XSCAPE & SWV

AUG 3 311 W/ AWOLNATION & NEON TREES

AUG 6 CREED W/ TONIC & FINGER ELEVEN

AUG 9 THE DOOBIE BROTHERS W/ STEVE WINWOOD

AUG 17 STRAY CATS

JUNE 29 A DAY TO REMEMBER W/ THE STORY SO FAR, FOUR YEAR STRONG, & PAIN OF TRUTH

JULY 5 JASON MRAZ W/ RIPE

JULY 14 RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES

JULY 16 TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL THOMAS DOLBY, THE ROMANTICS, MEN WITHOUT HATS, MODERN ENGLISH & MORE

JULY 18 DIRTY HEADS & SLIGHTLY STOOPID W/ COMMON KINGS & ELOVATERS

JULY 19 JORDAN DAVIS W/ MITCHELL TENPENNY

JULY 20 BRIT FLOYD

JULY 21 O.A.R. W/ FITZ & THE TANTRUMS & DJ LOGIC

AUG 18 WHISKEY MYERS W/ BLACKBERRY SMOKE & EDDIE FLINT

AUG 19 CAGE THE ELEPHANT W/ YOUNG THE GIANT & BAKAR

AUG 22 IMPRACTICAL JOKERS

AUG 23 / 24 TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND W/ SPECIAL GUEST MARGO PRICE

AUG 30 YOUNG MIKO

AUG 31 WALKER HAYES W/ KYLIE MORGAN & TENILLE ARTS

SEPT 3 DEEP PURPLE W/ YES

SEPT 4 / 5 JAMES TAYLOR & HIS ALL-STAR BAND

SEPT 14 KILLER QUEEN W/ VOYAGE

SEPT 15 JANE’S ADDICTION AND LOVE & ROCKETS

SEPT 22 THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE

SEPT 25 THE MARLEY BROTHERS

SEPT 26 MT. JOY

OCT 5 KINGS OF LEON W/ PHANTOGRAM AND MANY MORE!!

KIDS’ STUFF JUNE 2024

ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-4519. aldrichart.org

AUDUBON GREENWICH, 613 Riversville Rd., 869-5272. greenwich.audubon.org

AUX DÉLICES, (cooking classes), 23 Acosta St., Stamford, 326-4540 ext. 108. auxdelicesfoods.com

BEARDSLEY ZOO, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, 394-6565. beardsleyzoo.org

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH, 4 Horseneck Lane, 869-3224. bgcg.org

BRUCE MUSEUM, 1 Museum Dr., 869-0376. brucemuseum.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

EARTHPLACE, 10 Woodside Lane, Westport, 227-7253. earthplace.org

GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 39 Strickland St., 869-6899. hstg.org

GREENWICH LIBRARY, 101 W. Putnam Ave., 622-7900. greenwichlibrary.org

IMAX THEATER AT MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, Rte. 22 at Jay St., Katonah, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

MARITIME AQUARIUM, 10 N. Water St., S. Norwalk, 852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org

NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, 966-9577. newcanaannature.org

RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 438-5795. ridgefieldplayhouse.org

STAMFORD CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, 325-4466. palacestamford.org

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, 977-6521. stamfordmuseum.org

STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN, 303 West Ave., Mathews Park, Norwalk, 899-0606. steppingstonesmuseum.org

WESTPORT ARTS CENTER, 51 Riverside Ave., Westport, 222-7070. westportartscenter.org

WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE, 25 Powers Ct., Westport, 227-4177. westportplayhouse.org G

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.

To learn more visit breastcanceralliance.org

Breast Cancer Alliance, 48 Maple Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 info@breastcanceralliance.org

Yonni Wattenmaker, Executive Director

Build Awareness. Reach New Clients.

Legal Profile Special Section

• Special section following our annual Top Lawyers editorial feature

• Annual guide to Fairfield County’s law firms & legal experts

• Custom profile created for your practice

• Reach an audience of 200,000+ families and local residents

• One year inclusion in our online lawyers directory

• Bonus issue distribution to local events reaching families, charitable organizations and community influencers Issue Date: November/December 2024

Newsstands: November 1, 2024

Date: September 9, 2024 Contact Morgan Howell, Moffly Media Account Executive at Morgan.Howell@moffly.com for more information.

WALK THIS WAY

Consider this your friendly reminder: Put down the phone, turn off the laptop and set aside some time to truly unplug. Literally and figuratively. Here, ZJ Carr strolls with his daughter, Nuala, in Cos Cob’s Montgomery Pinetum Park. A nature walk provides the perfect antidote to the stress of all those overscheduled days. Who knows? You just may get a little elementary school gossip along the way, too. 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 ashley carr

World-eminent surgeons caring for you, their neighbors

Robert E. Michler, MD

Surgeon-in-Chief, Chairman & Professor, Surgery and Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, Montefiore Einstein

Robert Michler, MD, is an internationally acclaimed heart surgeon who specializes in complex heart surgery, aortic and mitral valve repair, and management of the failing heart. He has lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, for over 30 years.

Dr. Michler has focused his career on the development of new knowledge and surgical techniques for the treatment of complex heart disease. Dr. Michler lectures extensively, both nationally and abroad; is a regular expert opinion author; and has provided regular commentary to NBC’s Nightly News,

the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Michler is a frequent contributor to the finest medical journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, and he has long been an NIH-funded investigator.

Dr. Michler has been named a “Mitral Valve Repair Reference Surgeon” by the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for the quality of his mitral valve surgery. This commendation is held by only a handful of U.S. heart surgeons.