Greenwich Magazine, May 2020

Staying Connected the bonding power of social media

Greenwich Town Party

reflecting back and looking ahead to when we can celebrate

HOPE & HEART

In the face of adversity, it’s more important than ever to remember that we have much to be grateful for— the people, places, businesses and organizations that make our corner of the world special.

MAY 2020 | $5.95 GREENWICHMAG.COM

We’re In It Together

local entrepreneurs share touching stories

Thank You.

Healthcare Professionals First Responders Sanitation Teams Grocery Store Clerks Delivery Carriers Restaurant Workers Caregivers Utility Workers Waste Collectors Warehouse Workers Generous Neighbors Heroes and Helpers And so many more

In good times and bad, always committed.

© MMXX Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.

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GREENWICH

contents MAY 2020 vol. 73 | issue 5

44 departments

44

12 PRESIDENT’S LETTER 14 EDITOR’S LETTER

TOGETHER WE WILL CELEBRATE

16 FOUNDER’S LETTER Of Old-Fashioned Sociable Media

Reflecting on the past years of the Greenwich Town Party reminds us just how lucky we are to live here. Though postponed, the party will go on, and we look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate all that is right in the world.

21 STATUS REPORT BUZZ Greenwich Historical Society, This Place Matters! photo contest; Jennifer Graziano on creating beautiful keepsakes SHOP Five entrepreneurs share acts of community kindness that helped keep them going during the coronavirus epidemic; Mother’s Day gifts you can find online HOME Neutral finds that fit with any décor DO A

b y jamie ma rsha ll

52

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

52

new way to work: HAYVN; The science behind brain mapping

With recent events forcing us to keep our physical distance, we have become more social than ever. Thankfully, social media has the power to connect us when we need it most. We meet five local lifestyle bloggers who brighten up our feeds and lift our spirits.

34 FINANCE FIX Putting your finances in perspective

37 PEOPLE & PLACES greenwich magazine’s Greenwich Restaurant Week opening night party; Junior League of Greenwich:

b y emily liebert greenwichmag.com

4

An Evening with Barbara Pierce Bush; Family Centers

43 VOWS Foster–Evertsberg 67 CALENDAR 71 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 72 POSTSCRIPT No matter how much the world may change, these colorful buds make us smile year after year. on the c over: loving where we live

GREENWICH MAGAZINE MAY 2020, VOL. 73, NO. 5 GREENWICH MAGAZINE (USPS 961-500/ISSN 1072-2432) is published monthly by Moffly Media, Inc. 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to GREENWICH MAGAZINE PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607.

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features

Helping you fulfill your dream of having a baby.

You dream about the moment you can hold your baby for the first time.

At Greenwich Fertility, we have consistently high pregnancy and birth rates and have been designated as a Center of Excellence by top insurers. Our NYU Fertility Center physicians are world renowned in the field of reproductive medicine and, together with Greenwich Hospital’s compassionate staff, our team provides comforting, supportive and personalized care from your initial consultation to your final treatment. Greenwich Fertility is where hope comes alive.

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JOIN US ONLINE! may 2020

GREENWICHMAG.com CELEBRATING THE SCENE STEALERS OF OUR TOWN

WHAT’S ON OUR EDITORIAL DECK?

JUNE

INTERIOR DESIGN

SEE YOU SOON!

THOUGH SOME EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED OR HOSTED VIRTUALLY, LIFE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL, AND WE ARE READY TO CAPTURE IT ALL.

Visit our galleries for all the fun

Decor ideas to help turn your home into a beautiful retreat to relax, restore and reconnect

JULY

BEST OF THE GOLD COAST & BEST OF GREENWICH Time to celebrate the best of the best on the Gold Coast and right here in Greenwich!

AUGUST

ENTREPRENEUR ISSUE

Meet locals who turned their creative business dreams into successful realities.

FOLLOW US ON:

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WE’VE GOT PLENTY OF GREAT THINGS IN STORE!

STONE HOLLOW FARM | GREENWICH Tremendous price reduction. Equestrian’s delight at this gated 6.35-acre estate in a private association on the Greenwich Riding Trail. Cul-de-sac location bordering the Audubon. Luxurious and sophisticated country living. $3,250,000 | MLS# 104473 | Listed by Janet Milligan Associates

MODERN TOWNHOME | GREENWICH Gorgeous 4-bedroom, 4.2-bath new construction townhome offers privacy and convenience, and turnkey living with 4 finished floors. Flexibility for office space and lower level play area. Oversized patio. $2,150,000 | MLS# 109325 | Listed by Longo Realty Group

PEAR LANE | GREENWICH Rare opportunity to acquire a lovely property in a private association on the Belle Haven peninsula. Understated Cape Cod colonial with open first floor, large private flagstone patio and level grounds. $3,000,000 | MLS# 109103 | Listed by The Magyar Team

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Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

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Terry Christofferson, Kathryn Satterfield senior writers

Timothy Dumas, Chris Hodenfield, Jane Kendall, Bill Slocum, Riann Smith contributing writers

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PROVIDING THE BEST IN HIGHLY SKILLED PRIVATE, PERSONAL, BUSINESS AND HOUSEHOLD STAFF

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“We believe you deserve to feel beautiful, confident, and ready to live your best life today and everyday.”

Dr. Kim Nichols is a board-certified dermatologist.

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Associate Dermatologist at Skin Specialty Dermatology, Upper East Side, NYC

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president’s letter

MAY 2020 / JONATHAN MOFFLY

hank you. Together, in this crisis, we can adapt, change and become something new. Our lives are altered.

Our community is straining to accommodate the realities of disease and economic distress.

The outlook is uncertain. We want it to be over.

Desperately. And when it is, we will be different.

The most valuable lessons lie in our power to come together and help each other.

Our priorities are to stay healthy, doing our duty to stop the spread so that friends, family and strangers alike stay safe, and to keep our homes and workplaces financially afloat. Then, do whatever extra we can.

I am proud of my community. Small acts of kindness break the quiet and isolation.

Executive Editor Cristin Marandino going for a socially distant walk and talk with my eightyfour-year-old mom. Production Director Kerri Rak making 246 joyfully designed equipment tags as gifts to our first responders. My wife, our business manager, tripling her EMT volunteer hours to be on the front lines. Our friend, Ariana, dropping off groceries for my family.

Economically, it is dire for so many.

Businesses are in distress, and staff and vendor reductions are the consequence. Small local businesses are particularly hard hit, often lacking the resources to weather a long storm.

Our restaurants, the heart of our community, where we connect with each other, are trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy for us by offering takeout and delivery. They struggle to take care of as many employees as they can on so much less.

greenwichmag.com

12

Moffly is a small family business, too. As you see with this, much thinner May issue, we are also being impacted by the crisis. My priority is to take care of our team and our customers. We are as resolute as ever to help people live life better and help businesses thrive.

Our partners—your retailers, restaurants, businesses and professional services—are feeling the economic slam. The necessity of social distancing makes Amazon more than a temptation. Yet our retailers, with their unique offerings and personal services are what make our area special. Reach out to your favorites for delivery. Connect. Support. Keep us strong.

A personal thank you to Cristin Marandino, too, for putting up with her boss overshooting the deadline for this page, while dealing with a suddenly complex workload, with less resources, while working from home. She brandishes a kind lash.

Most importantly, thank you. We are grateful for your support as readers, as partners and as customers. We believe in the indomitable spirit of our community.

Lastly, with gratitude, I ask you to take action and help the most vulnerable in our community.

This group has grown exponentially in just the past few weeks. Please make a donation to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Resiliency Fund at fccfoundation .org. The FCCF will ensure your donation reaches the right hands for greatest impact.

One action taken by many has an indelible impact. Together we have the character to work through this crisis.

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

SURVIVE TO THRIVE T

AMY AIDINIS HIRSCH INTERIOR DESIGN

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203 661 1266

editor’s letter

MAY 2020 / CRISTIN MARANDINO

In It Together Know someone going above and beyond?

Have a photo of something cute, uplifting or heartwarming spotted around town or in your home? Send us your stories and photos. We’d love to post them online or publish them in an upcoming issue.

Email editor@greenwichmag.com

he term “the new normal” has quickly become a part of our vernacular, but there is absolutely nothing normal about life nowadays. Overnight we went from being cautious about hugging and shaking hands to wearing masks and gloves and wiping down our packages. We are stressed and we are scared. The health of our friends and family, the security of our jobs, the state of the global economy weigh heavily on us all.

We watch the news looking for a glimmer of hope, waiting for someone to say it’s over.

We keep waiting.

This issue was well into production when the pandemic began, necessitating an editorial pivot. However, one thing became crystal clear. This outbreak doesn’t make our way of life irrelevant. In fact, I believe it does just the opposite. It shows us that we can find solace and security in the familiar. So we will continue to do what we do—celebrate our town. And we hope, in some small way, this helps.

I think it’s inevitable that we will see the world through a different lens once we’re on the other side of this. In fact, I hope it is inevitable. Maybe we’ll FaceTime a little more

greenwichmag.com

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often with friends and family, opt for an outdoor run every once in a while instead of heading to the gym, send a gift or card just to let someone know we’re thinking of them.

In the meantime, while we wait for the world to right itself, I take comfort in the innumerable acts of kindness, empathy and philanthropy happening around the world.

And then there’s the lighter side—the memes, the Instagram posts, the Zoom cocktail parties (perhaps a few too many)—that helps us cope.

This Sunday is Easter and my sister planned a virtual Easter egg hunt. She FedExed me an Easter basket and a bunch of candy-filled eggs. Via FaceTime, I’ll get clues as to where eggs are hidden at her house in Virginia. For every clue I figure out before her kids and husband, I get to place one of my eggs in the basket. We’ll see how it goes.

But I know one thing. It’ll be funny.

Finding gratitude in the absurd—that’s a lesson I’m happy to learn.

Be well.

WILLIAM TAUFIC

FINDING OUR WAY T

41 W est e l m s t r eet, G r een W ich , ct

tel . 203.622.7000

W W W.Va n der h or n a rchi t ec ts . com

founder’s letter

MAY 2020 / DONNA MOFFLY

S

Now, because of the coronavirus, we’ve been hit with something new—social distancing. But I ask you: What’s new about it?

o this is our social media issue, a truly fascinating “with it” read. I’ve proofed it and have actually learned a lot.

But in a world flooded with the stuff—along with its own vocabulary of tweets, likes, posts, friending, following and such—I’m feeling a bit lost. Of course, FaceTime does allow you to look someone in the eyes, but let’s not forget about the original social media.

I’m not a techie. I leave that to my children and grandchildren. But I was the first of my friends to have a home computer, an early Texas Instrument I used for writing articles for the Greenwich Review back in the 60s. I’ve known just enough about computers to do my job at Moffly Media for the past thirty years.

Communicating is also part of my DNA— from editing my high school yearbook, writing radio copy and TV shows for Howard Senor Advertising, doing volunteer publicity for Eastern and Greenwich High School to serving as editor-in-chief of greenwich magazine (I reminded Jack that I was a writer not an editor; he reminded me we couldn’t afford an editor, so I was it)—and I’m still at it today. If singing counts as communicating, I’ve done that, too, as president of the Hathaway Brown School glee club and of the Grace Notes here in Greenwich.

Now, because of the coronavirus, we’ve been greenwichmag.com

16

hit with something new—social distancing.

But I ask you: What’s new about it? We’ve been distancing ourselves from ourselves for years.

You can’t even answer the phone and expect it to be a friend. When it rings, you must quickly check your caller ID because it’s probably some robot claiming there’s a warrant out for your arrest (let it go to voicemail), or that the IRS has suspended your social security number (the real IRS will never call you; they write) or that grandson Jimmy desperately needs money (even if the scammers got the name right, ask for “Jimmy” to confirm his home address and he’ll hang up) or that your credit card is going to be charged $400 unless you Press 1 (don’t).

I wonder what my favorite cartoonist Jerry Dumas would have done. Father of our senior writer Tim Dumas, Jerry was a very funny guy who once wrote an article entitled “Call Me” for our March 1995 issue. As a writer, he was home alone a lot and got, well, lonely.

He loved cold calls, which in those days were more solicitations than scams. He figured these people had a tough row to hoe, and he could cheer them up with some friendly banter.

“Mr. Dumas,” he wrote, “I represent the … ” “Hold it, hold it. How did you know that I’d be home in the middle of the day?” »

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

OF OLD-FASHIONED SOCIABLE MEDIA

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founder’s letter “Well, I didn’t really, I just … ” “Why aren’t you calling during dinner hour like all the others? Have you had this job long?

What’s the percentage of people who hang up on you?” And on he’d go.

Or: “Hello? Hello, Mr. Dumas? How are you tonight?”

“Thank God you called. You probably never get lonely; you get to talk to people all day, but it’s a whole different story here, brother. Don’t ever become a writer. It’s one helluva lonely life.

I expected … ” “Mr. Dumas? My company is offering … ” “Just a second, you asked me how I was, and I want to tell you. My wife’s been gone for hours, as usual, and heaven knows when she’ll come trotting in…. You married? Don’t get married.”

“Mr. Dumas …”

“So not only do you start hurting mentally, but also physically. I’ve got this ache in my shoulder and …” And Jerry would keep the

conversation going until they’d finally hang up on him.

He loved his phone, as we do today but to a fault. We have our noses buried in them 24/7— on the street, in restaurants, even God forbid while driving. But there’s hope on the horizon: I just heard that teens are all into watching reruns of the 90s sitcom Friends—and guess what? There aren’t any cell phones in evidence on the show.

So what’s wrong with the old-fashioned way of connecting with real live people? On long drives with the kids, we’d entertain ourselves by singing “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall” or playing auto-bingo to see who could spot a cow or stop sign first. No TVs onboard back then. When conversation lagged at big family dinners, we used to play “telephone,” made even better if Grandfather was a little deaf.

Remember? You’d whisper something to Billy sitting next to you like: “I wish we could go to Basin Harbor;” and by the time it went around

the table, it would’ve become “A fish doesn’t go to the barber.” No electronics. All generations happily involved.

So reach out to your friends, even while social distancing. Instead of texting or emailing them, why not give them a call? Your high school classmate now in a nursing home in Florida would love to hear your voice; your long-ago bridesmaid will be bowled over that you still remember her birthday. And depending where we’re at with sheltering in place at this moment in time, you might ask your young neighbor, her mother’s caretaker, to stop by for a heartto-heart over a cup of coffee, or your bored grandson stuck home from college to come make a buck gardening. It’s great bonding while you’re on your knees in the dirt planting petunias together. Or you might even break down and invite a few people for dinner—not in a noisy restaurant where you can’t really talk, but in the peace and quiet of your own home.

All that’s social life—without the media. G

We’ll help you get back to the life you love.

SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION

CALL : 203-618-4232 NATHANIELWITHERELL .ORG

greenwichmag.com

18

FAIRFIELD COUNTY COVID-19

RESILIENCY FUND This crisis is hardest on our most vulnerable. Our nonprofits are serving their basic needs: Safety. Food. Shelter.

PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM LEARN MORE & DONATE: FCCFOUNDATION.ORG/COVID19RESILIENCYFUND

WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD?

DREW KLOTZ

KINETIC SCULPTURE DREWKLOTZ.COM

203 221 0563

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TIME TO FOCUS ...

2019 WINNERS

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ON THE GOOD! LET’S CAPTURE GREENWICH IN ALL ITS GLORY

Dana Charette Children’s Service, First Presbyterian Church

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Jay Wilson Leave You Cryin’

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Barbara Heins Greenwich Point Barn in Snow

o celebrate our town’s history and beauty, the Greenwich Historical Society is once again organizing its This Place Matters! photo contest. We can think of no better time to take a walk outside and photograph some of your favorite spots. This year there will be two categories. The first includes photos of places that inspire, enrich or define your experience of our town—a special street, quiet nook, store, restaurant, trail or garden. The second honors the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment. It includes photos of places that were inspired or designed by Greenwich women (living or deceased). Think schools, buildings, landscapes, businesses—anything that has enhanced our community over the years.

Submit your hi-res photos with a brief statement about what makes the location special and worth preserving. Winning photos will be announced at a reception on July 18 and be published in GREENWICH magazine. The contest celebrates Greenwich Preservation Month and was inspired by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s initiative to encourage conservation at the local level. Deadline is Wednesday, July 1, and submission details can be found at greenwichhistory.org.

MAY 2020 GREENWICH

21

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18K yellow gold horizontal bar bracelet on 18K yellow gold chain; $1,420

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BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTES

by beth c o oney fitzpatrick

As a fourth-generation funeral director, JENNIFER GRAZIANO has long counseled families that how they grieve a loved one’s death should be unique and personal.

So, too, is how they keep the love they shared alive

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or many people there’s a great need to have something tangible to remember that person by and to serve as a reminder that love lives on,” says Jennifer Graziano, whose family operates the Coxe & Graziano funeral homes in Greenwich and Mamaroneck.

Last year, Graziano sought to meet her clients’ need for enduring closeness by launching the RememBar Collection of fine jewelry, noteworthy for discreetly hollowed out vessels that can hold tiny bits of cremated remains.

The innovative line, which Graziano designed in close collaboration with former Tiffany and David Yurman designer Ward Kelvin, features a collection of chic bracelets, necklaces and pendants rendered in 18 karat gold and rhodium-plated silver. The on-trend pieces, which start at about $250, can be customized with gemstones and engravings of names or meaningful messages.

“Part of what has inspired memorial jewelry is the

cremation trend,” says Graziano, who noticed clients were looking for personalized ways to keep ashes that went beyond keeping them in a mantel urn. “I wanted to create something that was lasting, wearable and beautifully designed. But I also wanted to make it discreet enough that you only had to explain why you’re wearing it if you wanted to.”

While not everyone may be up for the ashes concept, how to customize these accessories is open to interpretation. Graziano sports a bar necklace from the collection that holds a few drops of her late grandmother’s favorite perfume. She’s worked with families who have opted to insert a few locks of a departed loved one’s hair.

“You are never going to get over losing someone you love, but for some people slipping these on is instant comfort,” says Graziano. “It’s something they can feel and touch, and that can mean the world.” greenwichmag.com

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Getting Through Together A LOOK AT THE ACTS OF COMMUNITY KINDNESS THAT LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED DURING

OUR NATIONAL CRISIS

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Flavia Barker green of greenwich florist 311 Hamilton Avenue greenofgreenwich.com

“The current crisis has opened my eyes to how caring this community can be toward its local businesses. people are buying gift cards for themselves and being present on social media reminding all to support local small businesses. This shows me how our community will only come out stronger in the end.”

JUIE BIDWELL

wo years ago we gathered five local female entrepreneurs to discuss what it took to navigate the difficult world of brick-and-mortar small business. Writer Jamie Marshall eloquently wrote in her intro, “Flying in the face of conventional wisdom, these small business owners offer something Amazon can’t—a human connection—reminding us that, at its core, shopping is still very much a social experience to savor.”

Those words have never been more true than in today’s world. We recently asked those same women to share with us hopeful stories, acts of empathy that they experienced during their businesses’ darkest hours. And we are thrilled to report each of them had a story that illustrates the deep roots of our community’s sense of humanity.

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“During these uncertain times, we are all striving to help each other. Clients are coming in to pick up their wardrobes and are leaving me deposits for their next orders. one of my clients, a breast cancer survivor, asked if it was possible to make her a spring pink jacket before the mandatory closure of businesses. As a working mother running my own business, the new norm— stay home, stay safe—gives me the opportunity to spend quality time with my son and family. I’m hopeful that during this time, we all have the opportunity to be reflective and count our blessings.”

“I had been following the news from California, where I now live, and knew Greenwich would soon be sheltering in place. Still, that first week was shocking and abrupt. I cried when I knew I would only need a skeleton staff. imagine how grateful we were when a client called to order multiple meals for first responders. the rose family and the carrington companies sponsored more than 120 meals for the community and that inspired others to step forward. It was beautiful and incredible.

That gesture helped us pay our kitchen workers.

It has touched us all.”

“We’ve been overwhelmed with kindness and generosity from our loyal customers. they have ordered gifts and gift certificates to use in the future and also have bought items to donate to local families in need. i am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful community and am hopeful that we will come through this stronger. On a personal note, I am encouraged by the way families are coming together and sharing quality time. I hope this “old fashioned” togetherness will continue once life is back to ‘business as usual.’ We only get one life, and sharing it with family and friends is the best part.”

“I think this time at home and a slower pace have made us all appreciative of how precious life is and that we need to enjoy each moment a little more fully once life’s pace quickens again. sheltering at home has created some wonderful family time, and we’ve really seen our community and country come together to support one another. I’ve been blown away by my own team and how we’ve been able to run our business remotely. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to operate online and give back by donating a portion of sales to @citymeals, which delivers meals to the frail and elderly in New York City.”

MAY 2020 GREENWICH

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do above: When permitted, HAYVN hosts workshops and other business-supportive events for its members and the public • Plenty of variety of work options for members.

GET TO WORK F

or a year, locals needing an escape from their home office or coffee shop “cubicle” jumped into the coworking phenomenon HAYVN. This shared workspace in Darien created for women is having an anniversary, and it continues to thrive despite our temporary climate of school shutdowns, social distancing and other uncertainties.

As soon as COVID-19 forced partial closures, HAYVN set up a “Zoom Room” to assist members and its guests with video conferencing capabilities. Although HAYVN had to postpone a number of events—including Moffly Media’s Women in Business, a Social Media Exchange—the company quickly switched gears and began conducting virtual workshops, called HAYVN HALFTIME. Founder Felicia Rubinstein, an engineer and marketing expert, says one of the biggest benefits of the work space is “creating

community, because isolation is a dream killer.” Her timing couldn’t be better.

Billed as a “coworking space where women connect, create and get stuff done,” HAYVN is a “haven” for freelancers, remote workers or solopreneurs who miss the camaraderie of an office and the resources that come with it.

Since opening in May 2019, HAYVN has held over 120 programs and continues to add more, in addition to providing in-house experts and mentors.

“Magic happens when you are in a community, trust people more and hope to share business opportunities,” says Rubinstein.

“We are a mixed audience, inclusive of all ages: older mentoring younger, younger helping older and women in transition. The ‘Y’ in HAYVN is for a ‘yes’ mentality. If someone has an idea, we encourage and try to support it.”

Inspired to create HAYVN while listening to a story about WeWork on the “How I Built This” podcast, Rubinstein sought to fill the greenwichmag.com

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void left by flexible workspaces. “A lot of these companies are focusing on Millennials, but no one is focusing on us,” she explains.

“Our programs support the obstacles women encounter to keep their career or business on track.”

Located at 320 Boston Post Road in the newly renovated and rebranded Darien Crossing, HAYVN is filled with light and built to inspire. The 7,000-square-foot office features amenities like a fitness center, event space, art gallery, podcast room, organic café and a shared kitchen stocked with coffee and tea. HAYVN offers food from local caterers such as Carolyn’s Absolutely Fabulous Events, Palmer’s Catering, Nit Noi and Corner Harvest. For special events and meetings, members can use these caterers or bring in their own.

Stepping inside, a community manager provides a warm welcome and presides over all-things-HAYVN.

KITCHEN SHOT BY CHRIS BOJANOVICH; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

HAYVN AT THE CENTER OF COWORKING AND CONNECTING NOW by eliz abeth hole

BUSINESS NOW T

PHOTO OF WOMAN IN BLACK-AND-WHITE TOP BY ROSIE ARMSTRONG; OTHER TWO HAYVN SHOTS, CONTRIBUTED; IN SIDEBAR: CONFERENCE BY © LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; FOLDERS © MICHAEL BURRELL - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

above: The conference room is wired for presentations • HAYVN draws women to share expertise and opportunities.

She might help with memberships and networking events or opine on the café’s best homemade scone. Membership packages vary, with work environments ranging from communal tables and dedicated desks to private offices in varying sizes and meeting rooms. Floating and dedicated desks are other options with storage lockers available.

Members can also rent rooms designated for meetings, conferences and podcasts on an hourly basis. For incubators and companies wanting to grow, there’s space available within the building.

Members appreciate special touches, such as privacy panels on desks. HAYVN also provides connections to healthcare benefits, business counselors, legal experts, fitness professionals, nail salons and nutritionists.

Rubinstein’s goal is to help women “streamline their life and focus on themselves and their professions.” Safety is another critical feature.

There’s an ample parking lot with easy building access, a security system and 24/7 entry for members with offices.

When asked if HAYVN welcomes male members, Rubinstein responds: “Absolutely!

Men can be members too. Our programming is women-centric, but it is totally an inclusive space. That means we’re all about welcoming

everyone into our sanctuary.”

Rubinstein spent over a year researching the flexible workspace movement—which she says is increasing at an “average annual rate of 23 percent since 2010”—and searching for the perfect location and design for HAYVN to support the “wellness and work-life balance” of her members. Granoff Architects and Workplace Studio were instrumental in designing the space and managing the build out.

By the end of 2019, HAYVN was awarded “Client of the Year” by the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) and nominated by Fairfield County Business Journal as one of the “Thriving Thirty” Best Companies in the county.

Rubinstein is planning a HAYVN Hatch Capstone—a culmination of all the winners from her popular pitch nights. Sponsored

by HAYVN, VentureMom.com and Realist Ventures, these events help women entrepreneurs get funding, exposure and marketing for their businesses.

“Ultimately, when women work in a beautiful space made just for them—where they can come together, collaborate and do great work—a little magic happens,” says Rubinstein. “That’s HAYVN.” MAY 2020 GREENWICH

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he space is closed during the health lockdown, with limited access only for people with dedicated desks and private offices. Flex-desk members must contact Felicia for options. You can find updates on its site and through its Instagram posts and stories.

You can try its SLACK group and sign up for emails. The VIRTUAL HAYVN COMMUNITY started in March. HAYVN launched HAYVN HALFTIME, for virtual events and gatherings. Tune in at noon for a daily lunch meeting featuring a twenty-minute presentation and a ten-minute question-and-answer period.

Also, HAYVN started using the ZOOM teleconferencing platform for virtual events.

Initial topics include “Finding Your Day-to-Day Compass in Uncertain Times” and “Getting Emergency Support from the SBA.” –Diane Sembrot

above: Shared work spaces can suit small-group meetings, too.

do

IN THEIR WORDS 5 Members of HAYVN on Their Work and Sharing Space

Public Relations, Marketing & Advisory Services

Gregory Papajohn and Suzanne Robitaille are the husband-and-wife team behind Archie Group, a cooperative of specialists and consultants in public relations, marketing and management. Gregory, who started the company in 2016, dreamed of “working on Main Street in the town where I live” after commuting to Manhattan for nine years.

Suzanne was working at an ecommerce startup in the city, but found the commute difficult after their daughter was born. Today, the couple runs Archie Group out of a threeperson office at HAYVN. 1 // As a collective with local and virtual employees, how do you utilize your office space?

GP: “We have around twenty consultants, with one-third of them located in Darien and the rest working virtually.

HAYVN brings more of our team members face to face and provides a community. The two main seats are for me, the founder, and my wife, Suzanne, who runs the content studio. We reserve the third seat for our consultant pool. It’s great to have a place to accomplish the Three Cs: convene, communicate and build community. They’re so important to our firm’s success.”

2 // Gregory, what led you to start Archie Group?

GP: “I had a classic Jerry Maguire moment back in 2016 while working as the MD at a boutique agency in New York City. I wasn’t feeling great about my work, and I knew I had more to offer in the financial services space. My wife encouraged me to go out on my own, to get back to doing what I love—advising leaders and building reputation capital for their companies. I had a point of view on financial services PR that I wanted to bring to life. And I was looking to create an environment with other like-minded individuals who shared my passions and wanted to create something together.”

3 // How has coworking helped your business?

GP: “I consider Archie a social enterprise, because we’re trying to solve a real issue that women face as they return to the workforce. As a cooperative, we are worker-led. Archie consultants have control of their hours and their projects, and they don’t have to commute or be in an office.”

Katy Kinsella

Julia Ford & Claudia Wood

Natural Products Sales & Marketing

Jewelry Brand Owners

After going on walks with neighbor Felicia Rubinstein, Katy Kinsella was taken by her coworking vision and “the opportunity for women to meet, network, grow and be inspired.” Kinsella, who works for Kerry Group as well as GOpure Pod, worked from home for five years before joining HAYVN. 1 // What is your HAYVN workspace like?

KK: “As a branch member, I have space at any desk or table in the common areas. You can typically find me at the back table along the wall off the kitchen. It’s the perfect spot, as I can see everything going on while being removed enough to stay focused!”

2 // How has coworking helped your business?

KK: “In so many ways! I work for Kerry, a taste and nutrition company. We make a probiotic ingredient, GanedenBC30, that food and beverage companies add to their products for immune and digestive health benefits. I’ve been introduced to a number of contacts within the food and beverage industry through HAYVN. I also help my partner, Kent Atherton, who owns a company that launched the first-ever portable water purifier. It’s called GOpure Pod.” 3 // What is GOpure Pod? KK: “The Pod removes inorganics, such as chlorine, fluoride, nitrates and nitrites, and heavy metals, from tap water. It fits into any reusable bottle, making it ideal for everyday use. We have GOpure Pod in beverage dispensers at HAYVN. As GOpure grows, I’ve become more involved in signing on local retailers and helping with branding and marketing. ” 4 // What’s it like working alongside entrepreneurs?

KK: “The women and men at HAYVN are doers. Everyone is encouraging of each other’s projects and wants to help in any way they can. It truly is a collaborative environment where you want everyone to win. GOpure has been a sponsor of the HAYVN HATCH pitch slams, and it’s amazing to see what people are working on and how creative and passionate they are for what they do.

I love being a part of the entrepreneurial environment.

There’s an unmatched enthusiasm you feel from a roomful of creative minds, thinkers and executors .…

I love educating and inspiring people and companies to be healthier. Probiotics and water! I’m lucky to love what I do and to be a part of this supportive community. I’m in awe of what Felicia has created and am so grateful to be on the receiving end of her glorious vision.”

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Sisters and owners of KVO Collections, Julia Ford and Claudia Wood, create high-quality, unique jewelry at accessible prices—described as “diamond jewelry for women to wear every day.” After finding out about HAYVN, the duo were intrigued and made an appointment.

They saw the space before the walls were even up and signed on immediately for a two-person office.

1 // How has coworking helped your business?

JF: “We have the opportunity to talk with other like-minded business owners and gain insight and perspective from them. HAYVN offers seminars and lunch talks in various areas to help your business, and those have been very beneficial. We’ve also made new friends! There is always something going on there, and it’s nice to have a space where we can close our door for quiet and privacy but we can walk out to the common spaces and have people to talk to. One can really feed off the energy in this place.”

2 // What does “KVO” mean?

CW: “KVO are the initials of our mom who died a long time ago—and way too young. She was German and such a beautiful, smart and kindhearted woman who had great style and was forward thinking. Our collection tries to honor her by our style of classic designs with a contemporary twist.”

3 // Have you held any KVO events at HAYVN? JF: “We’ve had pop-up shopping at HAYVN. We invite other members and businesses to our shopping events, and our customers get excited to experience a new business. Our mission is to use some of our profits to help people with everyday challenges and to support other small businesses. Part of our proceeds go to helping others. We gave money to help families finance adoptions; we bought a braille machine for a blind woman; we purchased computers for disadvantaged children; and we helped someone with medical expenses and car repairs. By donating to small nonprofits and individuals, we can make a big impact.”

4 // Why name jewelry after certain people?

CW: “There are some amazing people we’ve been honored to know in various capacities. They are all badass women and some men who are so special in who they are, how they show up in the world and what they do in their lives. We wanted to highlight them.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: PAPAJOHN AND ROBITAILLE BY SARAH ELLYETT OF ELLYETT PHOTOGRAPHY; KATY KINSELLA BY ROB GULOTTA; FORD AND WOOD BY NICOLA SILVER

Gregory Papajohn & Suzanne Robitaille

WHAT LIES BENEATH

RESEARCH CLAIMS THAT BRAIN MAPPING AND NEUROFEEDBACK CAN HELP MANAGE SYMPTOMS OF INJURY, MENTAL ILLNESS AND EVEN AUTISM AND ADHD by beth c o oney fitzpatrick

A

nthony Silver describes the practice of qEEG brain mapping as the art of “making the invisible visible.” At his Westport medical practice, Gray Matters, Silver has spent more than a decade using diagnostic brain imaging—often combined with neurofeedback treatments—to address a variety of complicated psychological and health issues.

During that time, Silver has mapped more than 10,000 brains, looking beneath the skull to investigate and address challenges ranging from attention deficit disorders (ADD) to the lingering effects of concussions, sleep disruptions and mental health issues.

A marriage and family therapist by training, Silver first delved into the somewhat controversial field of brain mapping out of personal curiosity. Someone close to him was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder several years ago and he suspected something else might be going on.

“With something like ADHD there’s a lot of subjectivity in the diagnosis. There’s no

PHOTO BY © MILLETSTUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

WHO’S TRYING IT

There are some common challenges, many of them psychological ones, which compel patients to seek Gray Matters' qEEG brain mapping services. They include: attention deficit disorders A recent teenage patient diagnosed with ADHD whose scan revealed brain

biomarker that says, ‘Here, this is what you have,”’ says Silver. “And there are a million different things that can cause people to exhibit these unfocused symptoms and behavioral issues.” In the case of ADHD he notes it’s not unusual for his scans to reveal anxiety disorders, which should not be treated with stimulants.

Still, Silver stresses he doesn’t consider himself an alternative practitioner intent on proving other experts wrong. “The work I do puts me at the convergence of where a lot of other disciplines meet. It’s personalized medicine that’s about helping people to clarify a diagnosis and get the right help.”

A typical session at Gray Matters begins with a detailed symptom history taken followed by a brain mapping scan. The imaging, which takes about eight minutes, is done first with the eyes open, and then again with eyes closed. Patients relax in a comfortable semi-reclined position while wearing a beanie-like cap fixed with 19 electrodes.

The data gleaned from these scans is then

activity related to anxiety.

Silver worked with the teen’s psychiatrist who switched treatment from stimulant ADHD medications to a mild anxiety drug combined with neurofeedback treatments.

autism spectrum disorders Silver often uses brain mapping, followed by neurofeedback treatments, to support patients with autism-related disorders.

concussions “Often, the person in front of you will be talking about their challenges with mood

injuries, but the question we’re asking is are those mood injuries the result of a concussion?” says Silver.

He is working closely with his Gray Matters colleague, concussion expert Dr. Audrey Paul, on a study related to head traumas.

emotional trauma “It’s incredible to see what severe psychological trauma can do to a brain, even years after the event that caused it has passed,” says Silver, who has worked with sexual assault survivors and war veterans suffering from PTSD.

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Brain mapping could be the path to recovery.

compared to a data of millions of other scanned brains. Normal patterns are compared to abnormal ones, helping Silver offer insights into his patients’ struggles. “Done right, qEEG mapping can yield data that’s gold in terms of helping us understand what’s going on and why.”

Follow-up therapy often includes Silver working with psychiatrists to prescribe or modify a patient's medication, recommendations for lifestyle changes and sometimes, neurofeedback treatments. Also known as EEG (electroencephalogram) biofeedback, neurofeedback is a computerbased therapy system that uses sound or visual signals to retrain the brain.

Silver is one of 150 practitioners in the United States who holds qEEG diplomate status because of his intensive training in the field. Silver often receives referrals from other medical practitioners, including pediatricians, psychiatrists and physical therapists to help patients who have reached frustrating crossroads in their efforts to feel better. “I don’t get patients who are doing well with treatment. I get the ones who are still looking for answers,” he says.

fınance fıx

MONEY / BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

A NEW LOW

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FINANCIAL STRESS, OR DOW AFFECTIVE DISORDER

F

ebruary 12, 2020: The stock market reaches a record high. And many of us here in lower Fairfield County, checking our investment accounts and 401(k) balances, feel like Masters of the Financial Universe.

At the day’s end, Barron’s asks, “Can anything stop the rally?”

Yes, as a matter of fact.

Coronavirus can. But we didn’t know that yet. Soon enough, we certainly would.

Not even a month later, the market has tumbled 20 percent, the beginning of a freefall. For some, the move triggers Dow Affective Disorder (DAD), an affliction coined by Fairfield County psychologist Dr. Martin Klein, whose clients include many investors.

“In a bull market they feel elated and invincible,” he says. “In a bear market they feel depressed and stressed to the point of irrational panic. They feel a sense

and lost your money or your client’s money, but now you’re also worried you’re going to lose your house or your job.”

But for those with Dow Affective Disorder, tumbling markets caused psychological pain that can lead to panic attacks, gastrointestinal distress, back or neck pain, insomnia, change in appetite, decrease in libido, poor concentration and even suicidal ideations, the doctor says. It can destroy families and careers.

You don’t have to be rich to suffer from DAD, Klein says.

“If you’re middle class and have $200,000 or you’re a billionaire, and you lose a third of that, I think it affects everybody equally,” he says.

So why are some people more vulnerable than others? “Family history. No matter how rich they get, some people don’t have enough money.”

One client, a physician with about $9 million in assets at the beginning of the year, suffered a full-on panic when his portfolio dropped to $6 million, even though he was young, confident, had health insurance, a good job and significant savings, Klein says.

He hopes that the coronavirus helped some people put things in perspective. “It’s a reminder that money is not the most important thing in life. You can have a Honda Accord rather than a Lexus. You can buy a smaller house. You want to thank God you have your health.” G

MARKET FLUCTUATIONS OBSESSING IS A WAKE-UP CALL TO GET HELP Don’t look at your stock portfolio. It’s only numbers on paper.

Turn off the TV and get some exercise.

Connect with others to avoid feeling alone.

Try meditation or hypnosis to reach relaxation.

Focus on positives, such as enjoying healthy family meals to re-connect with them meaningfully.

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HEADSHOT, CONTRIBUTED; FAMILY PHOTO BY ©LUCKYBUSINESS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Dr. Martin Klein

of despair, and fear the worst— financial apocalypse. It becomes a mood disorder.”

Klein practices in Fairfield and Westport, home to Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund.

Our county is unique, he says, in that many people here are not only heavily invested in the stock market, they also work in the industry. “They live and breathe this stuff, sometimes to the point of obsession.”

As market turmoil heats up, investors tend to react in one of two ways. Some accept that markets go up and go down, and they don’t look at their portfolios.

“But others,” Klein says, “watch the market day and night.”

Net worth becomes a daily scoreboard of their of identity, sense of self and self-worth—a rush when the market rises, a crush when a rally dissipates.

“Then they become irrational and make bigger mistakes,” he says.

“They feel like they’re a failure, then they sell at the bottom and torture themselves for not being smart enough to divest before the downturn occurred. They fail to see their losses as temporary and fall into despair.”

When COVID-19 first struck Connecticut, many here “felt a lot of fear, and a lot of it was not irrational. Bonuses wouldn’t be there. Lifestyles would have to change. It became paralyzing. Not only could you have bet wrong

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The UBS Optimus Foundation is a grant-making foundation that offers UBS clients a platform to use their wealth to drive positive social and environmental change. The Foundation selects programs that improve children’s health, education and protection—ones that have the potential to be transformative, scalable and sustainable—as well as programs tackling environmental and climate issues.

UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. © UBS 2020. All rights reserved.

2020 HONORING COVID-19 HEROES This year we are focusing Light a Fire on those who rose to the challenge during the COVID-19 epidemic. We are thrilled to celebrate the individuals, nonprofits and businesses that showed us the true meaning of kindness and philanthropy.

HONOREES WILL BE FEATURED IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE AND CELEBRATED AT A SPECIAL AWARDS CEREMONY.

PLEASE VOTE TODAY! lightafireawards.com VOTING DEADLINE: JUNE 30

Nominations being accepted in the following categories.

We will choose two honorees in each category.

Adult Child Health Care Professional Nonprofit Business

JOIN US FOR THE AWARDS Thursday, December 3 Westport Country Playhouse fairfield living, greenwich, new canaan•darien, stamford, westport, athome in fairfield county, ilovefc.com

people&PLACES by alison nichols gr ay

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GREENWICH RESTAURANT WEEK / Tony’s at the J House

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he Greenwich Restaurant Week opening night party at Tony’s at the J House celebrated all of the fabulous restaurants that keep our town hopping and vibrant.

Now more than ever, they need our support. Ordering delivery, takeout or gift cards is not only a great way to help keep your favorite restaurant in business, it also shows them you care.

Many small acts can add up to some pretty big things. Visit greenwichmag.com for a list of offerings from local businesses. » 1 Sarah Janisch, Mindy Gerhardt 2 Hillary Cox, Joia Calderaro, Rebecca Roman 3 Tony Capasso, Hannah Storm 4 Jen Danzi, Patrick Marsh 5 Annette Perry, Sarah Bamford, Melissa Brewer Luiso, Robert Stepanian, Nadya Podolsky, Alexandra DeBourcy 6 Mary Kate Hogan Anderson, Gilly Lusby 7 Dr. George and Melanie Tsangaroulis 8 Jennifer Frank, Venera Alexandrova MAY 2020 GREENWICH

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12 Andrea Campana, Cody Hart 13 Sarah Fugelsang, Melissa Frey, JoAnn Slattery, Susan Jackson 14 Edwin Montoya, Ismael Carias, Nelson Lopez 15 Bobbi Eggers, Sue Bodson 16 David Noto, Gabriella Corbonetti 17 Gina Salese, Randi Jachino 18 Rayane Azevedo, Maite Mendizabal 19 Dean Gamanos, Jonathan Moffly, Sabine Schoenberg 20 Laverne Lord, Lester Smith 21 Conley Fitzpatrick 22 Teddy Gianokos, Rachel Shorten 23 Ellyn Weitzman, Shari Lebowitz 24 Josephine Neri, Nancy Perito, Anne Bastone Âť MAY 2020 GREENWICH

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1 Thomas Keller, Josie, Hilary, Joseph and Jane Watson 2 Rachel Matthews, Juliet Pandolfo 3 Stacy Higdon, Bobbi Eggers, Julie Harrison, Diana Taro 4 Beth O’Malley, Joan Lunden, Barbara Bush, Darie Donovan 5 Margo Sandahl, Krystal Paris 6 Trish Kirsch, Kathleen Godbold, Ali Gray 7 Sue and Michael Bodson 8 Dr. Stacy Zarakiotis, Dr. Tiffany Christensen 9 Teresa Ward, Bo Kim, Joan Lunden, Barbara Bush, Wendy Stapleton 10 Kysa Englund, Susie Starr, Caitlin Drap, Abby Young 10

Getting Personal

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o celebrate sixty years of serving our community, the Junior League of Greenwich hosted a lovely evening with Barbara Pierce Bush and Joan Lunden. The ballroom at the Hyatt was packed with ladies (and a few good men) to enjoy the veteran journalist’s interview with Bush, who talked openly about everything from growing up in the White House to current events and universal healthcare. jlgreenwich.org greenwichmag.com

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JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GREENWICH / Hyatt Regency Greenwich

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Welcome to John’s Island. A cherished haven enjoyed by generations who have discovered the undeniable allure of life by the sea. Over 1,650± acres, miles of sandy beach, three championship golf courses, 17 Har-tru tennis courts, pickleball, squash, croquet, oceanfront Beach Club, newly renovated Golf Clubhouses, endless fishing and more!

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Discover why John’s Island is the place to be.

FAMILY CENTERS / Stamford Sheraton

Making Ends Meet PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHI CHI UBIÑA

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t Family Centers’ Titan Series breakfast, Pulitzer Prize– winning authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn discussed issues facing many working Americans. Drawing on themes from their New York Times best-selling book, Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope, Kristof and WuDunn outlined the ways economic disparity, addiction, equity and other societal issues have contributed to the struggles of the working class. The discussion was moderated by John Breunig, editorial page editor at Hearst Connecticut Media. The event was cochaired by Mary Moran of Greenwich and John Driscoll of Stamford, and benefitted the organization’s network of health, education and human service programs. familycenters.org G

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BOB CAPAZZO, KRISTIN HYNES, MELANI LUST & MARSIN MOGIELSKI

PHOTOGRAPHY

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vows by alison nichols gr ay

KATHERINE JEANICE FOSTER & MICHAEL WILLIAM EVERTSBERG 1

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ike and Kate are Greenwich born and raised. Mike grew up on Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich, and Kate is a Riverside gal. They first met in their eighthgrade Spanish class at Eastern Middle School, and by tenth grade they were best friends. While they never dated in high school, they remained close through college and both landed in New York City after graduation. Sharing a hometown bond and navigating new careers in Manhattan, they eventually moved out of the “friend zone.” Shortly after they began dating, the couple moved to San Francisco. Four years into their West Coast adventure, Mike took Kate on a hike in the Presidio National Park to a secluded beach underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. A mutual friend from Greenwich High School, David Pierce, hid among the rocks to capture photos of the proposal. Their dog, Bowie, was along for the hike and helped present the custom ring to Kate.

The groom’s father, The Reverend William A. Evertsberg, formerly of First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, officiated at the ceremony at the Newagen Seaside Inn in Maine, where the reception followed. A highlight was having twenty friends from high school on the dance floor when the band played Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, a song the group sang together fifteen years earlier during their senior year SRO performance.

The bride, daughter of Peet and Susan Foster of Greenwich, graduated from Greenwich High School and Washington University in St. Louis. She is a dog trainer and caretaker in San Francisco.

The groom, son of William and Kathy Evertsberg of Illinois (formerly Greenwich), graduated from Greenwich High School, the University of Michigan and Michigan Ross, the business school at the University of Michigan. Mike works for the financial tech company Plaid, in San Francisco.

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1 Kate with her bridal party 2 Mike with his groomsmen 3 Flower girl Eliza Siegrist with the ring-bearer pup, Bowie 4 Luke Jordan, Nikki Neary, Robert LaCivita, Mark FitzPatrick, Scott Niehaus 5 Sam, Peet and Susan Foster, Kate, Mike, William and Kathy Evertsberg, Taylor and Christian Thalheim 6 Jessica Grasch, Riley Keating, Kristen Venter, Meagan Fisher, Eliza Siegrist (flower girl), Kelly Siegrist, Haley Ornitz 7 The newlyweds

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JULIEN JARRY

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TOGETHER WE WILL CELEBRATE

recent events show us that it’s more important than ever to celebrate community. although the greenwich town party has been postponed, as it approaches its tenth anniversary we take a close look at this special tradition by ja mie mar shall

It’s been more than a decade since Ray Dalio first floated the idea of the Greenwich Town Party (GTP) past several friends and town officials. At the time, the founder, co-chairman and co-chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates was looking for a way to lift the spirits of the community in the aftermath of the 2008 financial meltdown. He envisioned something similar to the village fiestas he and his wife had attended over the years while visiting her family in Spain. “I love music festivals and saw that every town in Spain has a town party, which brings the whole community together. It occurred to me Greenwich could use a music festival/town party, especially at a time when people were still depressed about the financial crisis,” he recalls. » MAY 2020 GREENWICH

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GREENWICH TOWN PARTY

When we spoke with Dalio in early March, the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy and organizers were hopeful the party would still happen. However, as of press time, the situation had changed dramatically. The annual gathering has been postponed until sometime in August.

“We encourage everyone to support each other and stay safe and healthy,” says copresident Ray Rivers. “Come August, we will have an even more important reason to throw a party— not only to share great music, food and fun, but to come together and celebrate our strong and generous community.” (Also, as of press time, in addition to his major philanthropic ventures for the state of Connecticut, Dalio and his wife, Barbara, have donated $4 million to support childcare services for hospital workers and purchased 60,000 laptops for students in need.)

Since its inception, community has been the watchword of the Greenwich Town Party, and its mission reflects its primary goal: “To create an annual celebration for the people of Greenwich to come together and participate in a day of music, food, fun, family and friendship to experience the strength of the community.”

In keeping with that spirit, we didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to reflect on the event that has brought so much joy to our town every Memorial Day weekend since 2011. That was the year New Orleans jazz great Buddy Guy first commanded the main stage at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. Guy set a high bar that night—a bar that continues to get raised with each passing year. “That’s a compulsion of mine,” says Dalio. “I love to make everything better fast. It’s not just the music. It’s the food and the ambiance and the philanthropic stuff.

It’s the kids playing. It’s all of it.”

Traditionally, the GTP kicks off the annual celebration with a slew of kids’ activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including face painting, carnival booths, games and crafts. It fulfills its mission in other ways, too. Every year it gives away 300 general admission tickets to many of the town’s nonprofit organizations, as well as giving them space to set up information booths on the grounds. It also gives tickets to local charitable groups for fundraising efforts.

“I’m especially proud of the GTP’s nonprofit

CONTRIBUTED

involvement and generosity,” says Scot Weicker, whose company SBWEventsGroup has managed the event since the beginning. “I don’t know of any other nonprofit that supports other local nonprofits by giving away tickets and/or an on-site presence in order to raise money for their organization; that is truly unprecedented.”

And, of course, in keeping with the local focus, the GTP has provided a wonderful opportunity for many of the town’s food vendors to showcase their wares and local bands to showcase their talents.

Still, it’s the music that’s in the spotlight.

It’s hard to imagine a more venerated group of musicians than those who have graced the GTP’s main stage over the years—everyone from Paul Simon and Dave Matthews to James Taylor, Santana and even Eric Clapton. The two bands originally scheduled to co-headline for 2020—Mumford & Sons and Zac Brown Band— were just another step forward in the party’s evolution. “I didn’t want to let the opportunity to have the greats like Clapton and Santana slip away,” says Dalio, who continues to have the final say when it comes to choosing the bands.

“But I also recognize there are younger greats.

And that the party has to represent a broader demographic.” Also slated to have appeared this month on the main stage were town party favorites Preservation Hall Jazz Band and popcountry singer/songwriter Caroline Jones, and local talents Charlie King & the Next Big Thing.

And while talent for the August party is still up in the air, “We are confident that we will provide an outstanding lineup filled with amazing musicians,” says Rivers.

ESPN sports anchor and host Hannah Storm remembers her first time serving as an emcee.

That was in 2014, the year Santana was playing. “I was on stage and he pulled my kids out to dance and sing,” she recalls. “It was awesome to share that with them!” Last year she got to introduce Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, back for a second time. For Hannah as for so many residents, GTP represents the best of Greenwich. “I have been so proud to be part of it and that pride is reflected in the members of our community— of all ages. We have Ray Dalio to thank for that.

He is the driving force behind the event.”

Zac Brown Band: Southern Comfort K

nown as one of the most dynamic acts around, Zac Brown Band is a multiplatinum, Grammy Award–winning group with a creative range that defies genre boundaries. Most recently, the band released the highly anticipated and dynamic sixth studio album, The Owl, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Albums, Country Albums, Independent Albums and Digital Albums charts, and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Among other accomplishments throughout its decade-long career, Zac Brown Band is only the second act in history to have topped both Country Airplay and Mainstream Rock Songs charts.

We had a chance to catch up with Zac during his recent tour; and though his band won’t be performing this Memorial Day weekend, we thought our readers would still enjoy hearing what he had to say.

Your new album is called The Owl. What does that animal symbolize to you?

The Owl derives from the mythological significance surrounding these great creatures.

Owls symbolize wisdom and serve as a guide when we need sight even through the darkest times.

Your live performances have become legendary. Why do you think that is?

Our live performances, like our albums, reflect our exploration of different sensibilities across a variety of genres, without being defined by specific labels or boundaries. Our performances reflect our country roots and bring in danceable, pop-driven melodies, especially from our latest album, The Owl. Each performance invariably includes some of our biggest hits, recent releases and covers from artists that inspire us.

The Greenwich Town Party stage has seen the likes of musical icons James Taylor, Dave Mathews, Eric Clapton and Paul Simon. Have you been inspired by any of these artists?

Each of those artists have influenced us as a band in some way. We were lucky enough

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to perform our song “Colder Weather” at the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards alongside James, which was such an incredible experience for us.

Greenwich native Caroline Jones has joined you on tour for the past three years—and she has been on the GTP main stage four times. How would you describe her talent and what it was like to collaborate with her?

Caroline is such a talented musician. She has toured with us three times and we look forward to touring with her again in the future. »

Mumford & Sons Music with an impact

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CONTRIBUTED

he Grammy Award– winning British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons first came onto the music scene with its debut single, “Little Lion Man,” from their 2009 debut album, Sigh No More, which hit No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. The band’s 2012 single “I Will Wait” helped their second album, Babel, reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Babel also won a Grammy Award for the 2012 Album of the Year and held the record as the fastest-selling album for three years.

But it is in their efforts to make a difference in the world that the band truly shines. Its Gentlemen of the Road Foundation donates money to charities fighting for social justice and common good throughout the world, as well as nonprofits working both globally and locally on an urgent scale. And in addition to playing larger

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RAY DALIO BY JULLIEN JARRY; SCOT WEICKER BY BOB CAPAZZO

venues, the band plays what they call Stopover Festivals, which brings music to small towns less frequented by touring bands.

In September of last year, Mumford & Sons received the John Steinbeck award presented by San Jose University to writers, artists, thinkers and activists who embody the “empathetic spirit and values” of John Steinbeck. Past recipients include Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Moore and Ken Burns.

While accepting the award on behalf of his bandmates, Mumford talked about the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire in August of 2017, in which seventy-two people died.

The high-rise complex was in the neighborhood where the band first started and where he still lived. Like everyone in his community, he went down to volunteer and lend a hand. “What became remarkably clear, when the flames were out, was the importance of listening. Everyone was running around trying to act, but not enough of us were just listening, first.”

As a result he and his band were among a group of individuals who set up an organization to help support the community affected by the tragedy in the long term. The Grenfell Foundation is supported, in part, by the Gentlemen of the Road.

HITTING A HIGH NOTE

With ten years to draw from, we asked some of the GTP’s key players to name their favorite artists, songs and party highlights

Scot Weicker Founder SBWEvents Group

Ray Dalio GTP Founder and Board Member

of the artists and being very emotionally touched by the performance.

That was something to see.”

“I remember a moment several years ago, when there was a young girl in a wheelchair near the stage listening to one

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“I absolutely love the town stage where the local Greenwich talent performs. Each and every year the GTP receives more than fifty local band submissions, so competition is fierce. Each and every year the music committee, led by Ken Hays, does a remarkable job choosing extraordinary local talent to perform.

To me, that’s a highlight.” »

Kendra Farn

GTP copresident

“I love looking out and seeing people on grass island, on their boats, at the Delamar and surrounding homes at parties. All of that just brings a bunch of different communities together and it’s such a feel-good day. No one is happier than me on the day of the event.”

GTP emcee, former news reporter

“John Fogerty in 2016 was fantastic!

I loved “Proud Mary” and so many of his songs. But I also have to say that the town party is all about community, and I really love and appreciate the local stage and hearing the students from Greenwich High School and Brunswick School, as well as local cover bands like 8 track and The Clams.”

Michael Kay GTP emcee, New York Yankees Play-By-Play television announcer and CenterStage host

Rob Burnett GTP emcee, writer/director and five-time Emmy winner

“There’s always a lot of greatness on that stage, but for me it was Alabama Shakes in 2017. It’s three years later and I’m still shaking.”

“‘Surfin’USA’ by the beach boys. [that song] made the whole place seem like a summer at the beach. People were so into it and happy, and I had my then six-year-old daughter on my shoulders rocking to music from when I was her age.

That was a really cool moment.”

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Ken Hays Head of talent, booking and production

“In 2013 James Taylor headlined.

Typically we bring the headliners in on Friday night so we can do their sound check. It was close to 40 degrees and the rain was coming down sideways.

Usually an artist of James’ caliber, who relies so much on his vocals, would not come out in those conditions. But he’s a New Englander, and sure enough he pulls up. The whole band was bundled up and sound checked for forty-five minutes. I love James Taylor; he’s just a spectacular human being and an amazing artist.

To watch him sound check, it felt like he was singing just to me. The next day, he put on one amazing performance.”

RAY RIVERS, ROB BURNETTAND MICHAEL KAY BY BOB CAPAZZO; OTHERS CONTRIBUTED

Ray Rivers

Last year more than 300 boats pulled up to the park, and party-going boaters watched and listened to the gtp concerts via a water-facing screen and speakers. Grass Island was at capacity with residents listening from afar.

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THE DECISION TO POSTPONE

s the coronavirus situation escalated, it became very clear there was no choice but to postpone this year’s town party. “The town and the GTP Board worked hand in hand,” says copresident Ray Rivers. “Even though it’s a private event and costs the town nothing, they bent over backwards to work with us. To reschedule this was heartbreaking, but it wasn’t a hard decision. The health, safety and best interests of the Greenwich community,

musicians and event partners are our top priority.”

Town Party organizers are busy working on a date— tentatively scheduled for a Saturday in August—and once the details have been ironed out, the GTP will email each ticket holder and announce via its social media channels the next steps. If current ticket holders can no longer attend, they will be issued a full refund. Please visit greenwichtownparty.org for up-to-date information. G

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by emily liebert sidebars by diane sembrot

under the influence LIFESTYLE BLOGGERS WE’RE FOLLOWING (AND SO SHOULD YOU) What do these ladies have in common?

They’re smart, stylish, savvy, and they’ve transformed their passions into professions.

Very successful ones at that. They’re also called influencers, which means that— via their blogs and social media outlets— they have the clout to impact the decision making, and often purchasing power, of their followers and beyond.

We sat down with this particular group of women, not only because they each represent a different town in Connecticut, but also because we find them aspirational and inspirational…and we hang on to their every word (and gorgeous photo!).

Elizabeth Ariola @mrsnipple_

new canaan

Liz Joy

@purejoyhome

fairfield

Julia Dzafic

@lemonstripes

PHOTO OF JENN AND MORGAN BY JULIA DAGS; ELIZABETH ARIOLA BY CARTER FISH; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

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Jenn Falik @jennfalik

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Stephanie Trotta

@stephanietrotta darien

Morgan Matkovic @lilies.and.lambs greenwich

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Elizabeth Ariola new canaan

Born and raised in Ridgefield, now mom to two boys (Charlie, three, and Ford, two), the former pharmaceutical executive and medical sales representative for Johnson + Johnson started her blog in November 2018, while spending countless hours registering online for her first born.

“I thought I was going crazy. I was over-analyzing strollers and car seats, even changing pads,” she laughs. “Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that during your motherhood journey, you really can’t control much.”

Still, as she continued to dig around the internet for the best of everything child-related, she recognized that there was no personal connection behind most of the websites she landed on. This realization was her impetus to launch Mrs. Nipple, in order to provide other moms with resources accompanied by the human touch she felt was missing. “I envisioned a space where women could come, not

BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH

TOP 20 A STRONG PERSONAL IDENTITY Understanding who you are in the big vast world HASHTAGS of bloggers and people on Instagram is going

TIPS

to help attract followers to you. Here’s what Elizabeth shared about her focus.

ultimately, just not feel alone.”

While Liz’s goal has always been to help women emotionally and mentally survive pregnancy and motherhood, and it was never her plan to become an influencer per se, she does wear the title well, as she encourages her followers to push through those tough periods of time

only to find answers, but to stay. That’s why I created a community made up of mothers from all around the world. A community where moms can share their own stories and journeys, where they can chat about questions they might have at two o’clock in the morning, when the rest of the world is sleeping, and,

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“Pick a niche theme for your brand. Mine is motherhood.

The more niche the better.”

“Be true to your brand and yourself, nothing is worth quick money.”

“Invite your community to join you in the spotlight.”

“Vulnerability is always a good thing.”

“Don’t take yourself too seriously.”

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PHOTO OF ELIZABETH BY JULIA DAGS

Her name is Liz Ariola, but online, she calls herself Mrs. Nipple.

identity,” she muses. “So when I decided to dive headfirst into the motherhood space with Mrs. Nipple as my brand, he loved that I was finally embracing our name. He always encourages me to stick with it.” That’s a good thing, because Liz considers her job full time and has no plans to slow down.

She says her greatest blogging achievement has been building a group that is so supportive and open, it’s drastically changed her own outlook on motherhood. “My second born, Ford, was a very uncomfortable baby. I knew something was up, but it seemed no one could nail down what it was until a mom in the Mrs. Nipple community diagnosed him with a lip and tongue tie. All of the specialists we’d seen had missed it, but this mother on Instagram caught it,” Liz recalls.

Elizabeth Ariola posts regularly to support, and connect with, other busy moms.

when they don’t know how they can face another round of bad news, another stomach bug or another dirty diaper. She understands that not all women have a solid support system or

IN THE CRISIS

When things are tough, Elizabeth does what wise moms do: She helps her family productively focus on the big wonders and simple joys in life and plan for the good times to come.

i was torn about leaving my full-time job.

I went back and forth for a year, not knowing what the right decision was.

My husband was supportive of the decision to focus on Mrs. Nipple.

That sticks with me every day.

PHOTO ON STEPS AND OF FAMILY BY CARTER FISH

WORDS TO LIVE BY

even a close friend to experience life alongside them.

“My husband used to call me out for trying to mispronounce our last name, because I was embarrassed by the new

“After an early morning visit to our doctor, he said she was correct. A short and relatively easy laser procedure later, my baby—who was always in pain—was suddenly healthy and happy. I will be forever grateful to my community for taking the time to join in these important discussions.”

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westport

When Julia Dzafic first started blogging in 2010, Instagram didn’t exist, and the modern incarnation of the word influencer had yet to be born. Julia was working in marketing at the time and launched her blog on Facebook as a side hustle because she wanted to share healthy recipes and cute outfits with her friends. “I never expected it to turn into a real business,” says the New Hampshire native. But then something unforeseen happened. Her friends sent the posts to their friends, who also sent them to their friends and

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Plan ahead to find time for work and family.

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“Blogging full time looks fun and care-free, but there are many factors to keep in mind if you’re considering a jump.”

“I had my blog for six years before I made enough money to quit my job and focus on Lemon Stripes.”

“Hustle day in and day out. While it’s fun, sometimes the fuzzy line between work and life can feel overwhelming.”

“Put systems in place so that you’re able to be present with friends and family while also sharing daily content.”

“Time-blocking helps me stay on track and lets me focus on my husband and daughter at night.”

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Julia Dzafic

brands started to take notice.

At first, Julia’s mission was to stick to recipes and fashion, to keep things simple and inexpensive. “My husband, Anel, a personal trainer, and I were dating when I started Lemon Stripes, then called Lemons & Loafers. He’s been my number one supporter from day one. For the first five years, he even took all of my photos.”

Although Julia soon realized that the blog had a life of its own, and was growing with her, she admits it took about two full years to even begin to turn her hobby into a profitable entity.

Her first real break came in 2012 when clothing and accessories brand C.Wonder paid her to do a blog post and then promoted it for her. Julia couldn’t believe all the publicity she received or that she was able to monetize what she’d previously considered a little project.

Fast-forward to 2015, when Julia made the decision to quit her steady job and pursue her blog exclusively. They knew that Anel would have to take on the financial burden of their household, which he did with no complaints. (Anel loves what Julia does, but sometimes feels weird when people come up to him in public and say they recognize him from her Instagram account.)

Julia also knew that she had reached a turning point and was ready to open up to her followers about much more personal

When isolated from her friends during shelter-in-place, Julia wrote a blog post for @thehappilyeva about meaningful friendships.

moments. In fact, it was a post she wrote about enduring a miscarriage that she considers her greatest achievement to date. The post went viral and, to this day, she receives emails and messages from women all over the world telling her that

IN THE CRISIS

she helped them get through their own miscarriages. “The fact that I’m helping so many people makes all the hard work worth it,” Julia says.

Now, five years later, she covers topics that matter to her most, like motherhood,

Finding the silver lining in the quarantine, Julia made the most of mommy-and-daughter time, including playing, learning about makeup and styling and cooking at home.

PHOTO ABOVE BY JULIA DAGS

WORDS TO LIVE BY

sustainability and mental health, in addition to recipes, fashion and her absolutely awesome holiday gift guides.

The mom to daughter Amalia (almost three)—the light of her life—and a fur baby, a pit-mix named Boots, spends forty to fifty hours each week on her blog and Instagram account.

Julia loves the flexibility that her career of choice offers, noting that she’s able to spend quality time with Amalia without having to answer to anyone. Often, she wakes up early and works late so she can have some fun during the day.

“Two of my favorite activities are hiking and running on the beach with my dog. Taking thirty minutes each day to be outside in nature makes me feel like a different person.”

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My husband, Anel, has been my biggest supporter from day one, before blogging was even a thing. he would take my photos all over the streets of manhattan and when people made fun of what i did, he stuck up for me and believed in me. To this day, he gets excited about every partnership and campaign I take on and cheers me on from the sidelines. I couldn’t do it without him.

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TIPS

WORKING WITH BRANDS

Jenn Falik

1 “Make sure you work with brands you truly love and, ideally, brands that you have used organically many times on your social platforms.

This makes the content creation piece of a partnership easier, and your audience will be more receptive to the sponsored messaging.

No dollar amount is worth jeopardizing the years I spent building trust with my readers and followers.”

westport

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divulges lifelong Westporter Jenn Falik about her often frenetic vocation as an influencer. “Brian is very private and doesn’t always love the overshare moments that I’m prone to,” she adds, “but he’s smart and gets the business.

As such, he tries to be good humored about the shenanigans I partake in.”

experts not tied to a magazine and wanted a “home base” online where producers could find her for bookings and viewers could follow up on things she’d covered during segments. That’s when she launched her blog out of her apartment in Madison Square Park, which—over the last decade—has transformed in lock step with her life. She explains, “I write about the things I’m shopping for/worrying about/ curious to learn.” In 2009, before kids (she’s mom to Alexa French, nine, and Goldie Nora, five) it was a lot of hot-pink heels and lip glosses. Soon it evolved to maternity style, then when she had Alexa in 2011, baby gear entered the equation.

Parenting insecurities and

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3 “A rate card—make it in Canva—lays out the basic ways in which you can work with a brand. Don’t get into the details, because when it comes down to it, most programs end up being customized based on what the brand wants to achieve and what they want to spend to achieve it. Having a rate card sets the tone.”

PHOTO OF JENN BY JULIA DAGS

“My husband thinks I’m nuts, but he lets me do it,”

Shenanigans aside, one might say Jenn’s career began in kindergarten, when she schooled her classmates on the merits of Bonne Bell lip balm (she attended Coleytown Elementary and Middle, graduating from Staples), but, instead, Jenn credits her ten-year stint as a publicist at Alison Brod Marketing & Communications in New York City, where she developed strategies for major beauty and lifestyle brands. Before work in the morning, she would appear on local and national television shows, sharing her favorite finds and trends with viewers. She recalls, “I had an excuse to get my hair blown out by a pro and could still be at my desk by nine.”

Jenn soon realized that she was one of the only on-air

“Being professional and easy to work with will go a long way. My follower count is not massive, especially compared to many of the influencers in my space, but my extensive background in public relations is such an advantage when it comes to brand collaborations. I really know what the brands want on the other side of the conference call.

I go above and beyond to deliver it, without unnecessary back-andforth emails or diva-like requests. It can be as valuable as followers.”

editorial email every Thursday,” she outlines. “Honestly, I can’t believe how quickly it’s grown.”

Of course, success doesn’t materialize overnight. Jenn is typically at her desk (or the Westport Library) five hours a day, five days a week, solely focused on creating blog concepts, shooting social content and studying things like SEO and how to enhance the functionality and UX of her site. She confesses she’s still figuring out how to work smarter, not harder.

But there are a couple of things that make it all worth it: “When I hear from followers and readers that they are madly in love with a product I recommended or related to a venting post I wrote, which I was likely scared to press ‘publish.’

Also, I truly appreciate having a reason to spend time making thoughtful purchase decisions for myself and my family all in the name of ‘work.’”

Falik family time means being equal parts silly and fabulous.

discoveries, a move to suburbia, and everything that came along with that, and now she says, “I’m so excited when I discover a sleek looking stand to hold my Dyson cordless!”

As far as being labeled an influencer, this self-proclaimed SoulCycle junkie isn’t reluctant, but the term definitely didn’t exist when she was starting out.

Her goal, she says, has always been to have an excuse to ask questions, find things, try things and share things. And share she does via her “Better Basics” Today Show spots, and her blog

IN THE CRISIS

In one of those “Only Jenn” moments, during the hoarding emergency of shelter-in-place, Jenn hauled out a bunch of pretty bamboo toilet paper that she had hoped to promote.

PHOTO OF FAMILY BY JEN GOLDBERG PHOTOGRAPHY

WORDS TO LIVE BY

and Instagram account.

Most recently, Jenn launched her Ultimate Edit newsletter, featuring her top must-have items, which she identifies as one of her greatest achievements to date. “It’s an evolution of the blog that I feel really speaks to where my audience is right now.

They’re busy, busy, busy! They don’t necessarily have the time to sort through all the ‘swipe ups’ and content overload on a daily basis, so I simplify it for them by delivering five truly amazing finds to their in-box in the form of a succinct, shoppable

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Brian is great at coming up with clever caption ideas for my photos. technically, i am the writer in the family, but he has a way of concisely getting a point across with a touch of witty humor. Also, he has a knack for coaching me on how to pose for ‘impromptu’ photo ops. I sometimes just want him to snap the shot, but when I see the final image, I am grateful!

in 2009, while working in human resources. She loved the “people aspect” of her job but not the corporate setting.

She was desperate for a creative outlet and knew she would be happier pursuing other interests. “I was dreaming about beach homes from within the glass windows of my office,” she says, “so I decided to start writing about them.”

It wasn’t until four years later that her focus turned from beach houses to being a new stay-at-home mom, when her first son, Brian Jr. (now six), was born. She started writing about things she was cooking, clothing she was finding, how she was decorating on a budget and all things motherhood. At that time, she says there wasn’t really any money involved with blogging, so she leveraged her graphicdesign skills to design wedding invitations until Pure Joy Home became a solid source of income.

It was her goal to become an influencer, even though it’s a term she’s still getting used to.

“I decided that if I could choose to do one thing on top of being a full-time mother to a baby and a toddler (daughter Grace, now four), it would be the blog,” she

4 Liz Joy

fairfield

TIPS

THE POWER OF INSTAGRAM AND BLOGGING TO CONNECT

explains. “There were no real deadlines, and I could share as much as I was able to. It was also forgiving to my life as a mom and, eventually, I figured out more and more of a balance.”

Liz says her big career break came when she was accepted into the rewardStyle network, citing that you had to prove the success of your business, even if your revenue was minute.

Regardless, it sparked a fire in her that convinced her she could make it in the “crazy online world.”

Flash-forward to the present. Not only can the Stamford native support her family financially, but also her husband, Brian, has joined her team. (He was a VP of sales for iHeartMedia in NYC.) “We’ve always dreamed of a freer lifestyle, and I’m proud to say that after years of hustle and building this brand from the ground up, we were able to make that dream a reality.

He helps me with absolutely everything, and having more time together as a family is life-changing.”

The couple, who’s expecting their third child any day, have watched their IG account attract more attention than the blog.

Liz says that her audience prefers to consume quick snippets of content when they can, and Instagram gives them that immediate fix. “I love my blog and value its importance for longer-form content, but for getting the everyday moments

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Ask Questions For example, Liz posed: “What do you say I up the ‘home’ content around here?” Then ask followers to tell her what they want.

Cross Promote Liz shared new outfits and told followers that she would post them on her blog.

Make Mentions She shared that she loves strawberry smoothies, then dropped in a dairyindustry website link.

Share Moments Liz posted on Instagram about her blog post on seeing “quarantine as a gift for family time.”

Be Real Liz shares vulnerable moments of her pregnancy. Moms relate to it.

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ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, CONTRIBUTED

It’s been over a decade since Liz Joy launched her blog Pure Joy Home,

and random thoughts out, IG is king,” Liz details. “I would say we spend about six hours a day between the two. That doesn’t include the backend work, so we’re looking at a total of about eight solid hours. I message with probably fifty to 100 of my readers daily. The best part is that I can spread everything out according to our family’s schedules.”

When they’re not caught up in the regular grind, Liz and Brian love to travel as a family and take complete advantage of school vacations. Their top spots are Block Island, Charleston, and joining Liz’s parents in Florida. “This summer we’re excited to visit Nantucket, but we may slow down a bit in 2020 with our new addition.”

Liz regularly shares beautiful family shots with her followers

IN THE CRISIS

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Under quarantine, Liz was pregnant. Her posts asked for people to take the reality of the situation to heart and to think of the responsibility they had to not only themselves, but also to others. She implored people to just stay home.

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This is the guy I met at a bar in 2007. I knew from that night he was someone special, we stayed up talking in my parents’ kitchen until 4:30 in the morning!!! #whoami He took me out to dinner the next night, and we’ve literally been inseparable since. Sometimes I wonder what if I didn’t go out that night? So funny how life works.

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Morgan Matkovic greenwich

TIPS

STARTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH BRANDS

worked in retail for several years post-grad—everything from buying, to managing and styling. After that, her career took a turn toward substitute teaching, while she pursued her master’s degree in education.

But, ultimately, she pushed the pause button on that to face her battle with infertility and to undergo IVF after roughly a year of fertility treatments.

During that time, from 2010– 2012, she dabbled in writing a blog that never really took off and eventually dissolved. Still, she missed it as a creative outlet. So, in early 2015, halfway through her pregnancy with her first daughter, Morgan, she decided to launch Lilies and Lambs with the intention of sharing her life as a new mom: cute baby clothes, recipes and décor inspiration.

Then a funny thing happened.

What she had envisioned as a lifestyle blog ended up as a very therapeutic space for her.

“Between my struggles with

infertility and a bout with postpartum anxiety, entry into new motherhood was not easy for me,” Morgan explains. “I found it so cathartic to tell my story with all of its gritty, raw and real musings and to bond with others that felt the same way through both social media and my blog.”

That said, one thing she is clear about is that her goal was never to become an influencer. In fact, she doesn’t even refer to herself that way. “I can’t believe the direction this journey has taken me in.

I never, ever thought it would become a lucrative business that I could do as a stay-at-home

mom,” she reveals. “In many ways, I feel like the ‘Accidental Influencer.’ I’m so lucky that what I have to say has resonated with people and that they want to be a part of it. There are so many ‘pinch me’ moments.”

Some of those moments have come from partnerships with major brands, such as Olay and Pampers, and a long list of mompreneurs. She also fairly points out that there are a lot of people who take for granted how much work goes into her job, especially with a husband, two young kids (Madeline, almost five, and Lila, not even one yet), and

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“Create a media kit and really familiarize yourself with your audience.

Who are they? What partnerships will resonate with them?”

“Reach out to brands that make sense for your readership.”

“Be social and seek to forge long-term relationships.”

“Create meaningful, authentic content that benefits both your audience and your brand partners.”

“Know your worth as a creative person, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.”

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PHOTO OF MORGAN BY JULIA DAGS

Before Lilies and Lambs was even a glimmer of a thought, Morgan Matkovic

Life isn’t perfect, but Morgan does share sweet family moments

IN THE CRISIS

was no more money to be made as an “influencer,” she says little would change for Lilies and Lambs. You would still find her posting photos of her family and providing the same content with the hope that just one person out there would read and connect with her words.

Morgan isn’t all work and no play. For pleasure, she and her husband (they both grew up in Greenwich but didn’t cross paths until she moved back in 2012) love to travel as a family, go out to dinner and have their friends over for BBQs and pizza night. She’s also a huge fan of SoulCycle, her Peloton Tread, and watching Bravo. “Give me all the Bravo!”

During shelter-in-place, Morgan shared on Lilies and Lambs the way she was supporting her children, from comfy clothes and familiar camp activities to good food and a drive around town to enjoy the scenery. She highlighted her family’s uncomplicated, happy moments.

BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTO OF MORGAN BY JULIA DAGS; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

WORDS TO LIVE BY

two crazy dogs running around.

“This year, I’ll do biweekly photo shoots, IG stories throughout the day and blog during the kids’ naptime or when they’re asleep at night,” she outlines.

“Furthermore, if there’s one thing I’ve learned through my experience with social media, it’s that in order to succeed you must, in fact, be social. With that, comes hours of interacting with other accounts, businesses, readers and so on, both virtually on socialmedia platforms and in person through events and meetings.”

She believes that her passion for writing is what led her to this career and what feeds her soul. However, if the industry changed tomorrow, and there

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My husband is definitely Lilies and Lambs’ longest and biggest fan. Without his support, I’m quite certain my readership wouldn’t be anywhere near what it is today. he’s been beyond supportive and is the consummate coach. He encourages me to step outside my comfort zone, motivates me to continue to write and always, always makes me laugh until i get that perfect shot for instagram.

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TIPS

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS BY DOING WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU.

Stephanie Trotta

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In fall of 2010, Stephanie Trotta was so inspired by her fashion career at Ralph Lauren that she

started a blog, The Girl Guide, so she could share her own voice via a unique creative outlet.

Two years later, she decided to take a break. “I do wonder where I’d be today if I’d stuck with it back then,” says the striking blond, born and bred in Ossining, New York, and mom to Luke, five, and Harrison (Harry), three. “I believe the universe had a different plan and I trust that.

I know now that I still needed time to grow and to experience.”

When she revisited The Girl Guide in 2016, Stephanie was a different person. She’d transformed into a woman— she was a wife and a full-time working (and nursing) mother with seemingly zero free time for an inspirational side project. Yet she needed that—it was her happy place. “I’ll never forget driving home from the hospital after giving birth to my second son, Harrison, and thinking, This is it.

I’m going off on my own to make a career out of this. I wanted to be my own boss. Thirteen months later I quit my job.”

Originally, The Girl Guide was almost 100 percent fashion.

Then she partnered with one of her good friends, a chef in San Francisco, who created

2 Try New Campaigns Stephanie launched “The Sunday Section” to share her personalized mix of fashion, beauty, news, cooking and more.

“Every week I search the internet for articles, recipes, podcasts and fashion finds, looking for information and inspiration,” she notes.

“It is truly a labor of love. As we approach the one year mark (I can’t believe it), ‘The Sunday Section’ has become the thing I never knew I always wanted.”

3 Trust Your Inner Voice One day after leaving friends, Stephanie was having what she calls the Sunday scaries.

Then she noticed it was beautiful outside. “The sun was just starting to set and I immediately said to Frank, ‘Let’s go down to the beach for a few minutes.’ It always seems to calm me, helps me refocus and shifts my energy.”

PHOTO OF STEPHANIE BY JULIA DAGS

darien

Encourage Others People ask Stephanie if the market is oversaturated or if it’s too late to start blogging or styling. “As long as you have passion, drive and most important a unique voice, it is never too late. There is only one you, and there is enough room in this world for all of us to carve out our own little space and be successful.”

and photographed recipes for Stephanie to feature and the blog started to evolve into the lifestyle arena, including topics such as music, travel and her personal favorites, whether a new coffee shop, a boutique or a lip balm she loved. “My dream is to inspire my readers to look their best, but even more important feel their best. That is my hope when someone reads my posts or watches my stories,” says Stephanie, who spends about thirty-five hours a week on her blog and IG combined, in addition to extra time on emails and interacting with clients.

Despite her success, the term influencer doesn’t resonate with her. Instead, she refers to herself as a stylist and blogger and says

IN THE CRISIS

During the national crisis, Stephanie noticed a personal shift. With fewer emails to return, fewer meetings and other demands on her time, she learned how to slow down.

CONTRIBUTED

WORDS TO LIVE BY

says, is incredibly special.

What else does she appreciate about her job? “The first thing that comes to mind is flexibility. After working for a large corporation for the better part of the past ten years, it’s pretty amazing that I get to set my own schedule now. That never gets old. Flexibility means getting to spend time with my boys during the day and be there for them in ways that I wasn’t when I was working full-time.”

With a husband who’s very supportive of her career (he takes her photos on the weekends and when they travel), Stephanie feels like she has the freedom to spread her wings—and to take fifteen minutes a day to sit with a cup of tea (usually loose leaf) and reflect on life. G

there was never really one big career break for her, more like smaller wins that added up, for which she credits her “slow and steady wins the race” mentality.

Like in February 2019 when she was highlighted as a stylist on theeverygirl.com and got to share a week of outfits. She garnered a significant number of new followers and readers from that.

Still, numbers aside, what really moves her is being a resource for women. For example, when she receives a message from a fellow mom saying that Stephanie encouraged a trip to a farm with her kids and they had the best time or that Stephanie helped her look and feel good going back to work after having her first child. That, she

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These extra days, hours and minutes we get to spend together—I will not take them for granted…I try to remind myself that I have them with me, and I know how lucky I am. We can only do our best for our children.

They could never understand what is happening in the world and they won’t remember all of this...maybe only the way that they felt...so I’m doing everything in my power to make it love.

YWCA Greenwich is going virtual!

Now more than ever, victims of domestic violence need your support.

Please join us!

May 7-9 Buy tickets at ywcagrn.org/bags All proceeds help fund YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services

calendar ART & ANTIQUES ALDRICH MUSEUM, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 438-0198. Tues.-Sun. noon- 5 p.m.; Fri. until 8 p.m. aldrichart.org

GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 39 Strickland Rd., 869-6899.

Wed.-Sun. greenwichhistory.org

AMY SIMON FINE ART, 1869 Post Rd. East, Westport, 259-1500. amysimonfineart.com

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

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

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

CANFIN GALLERY, 39 Main St., Tarrytown, NY, 914-332-4554. canfingallery.com CAVALIER GALLERIES, 405 Greenwich Ave., 869-3664. cavaliergalleries.com CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING, 299 West Ave., Norwalk, 899-7999. contemprints.org 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

Traditionally this section has been dedicated to upcoming events in and around our town. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, all luncheons, galas, fundraisers, concerts, plays and festivals have been cancelled, postponed or will be a virtual experience. We are providing updated information that we have as of press time.

All galleries and museums are also closed until further notice. Be sure to visit their websites to stay up-to-date on online offerings. Let’s flatten the curve by staying home.

We look forward to seeing you on a dance floor or at an art opening very soon.

CORRECTION: Sandra Morgan’s studio is located at 135 East Putnam Ave. above New England Land Co.

( for more events visit greenwichmag.com )

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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

LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM, 295 West Ave., Norwalk, 838-9799. lockwoodmathewsmansion .com LOFT ARTISTS ASSOCIATION, 575 Pacific Street., Stamford, 203-247-2027. 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 SAMUEL OWEN GALLERY, 382 Greenwich Ave., 325-1924. samuelowen.org SILVERMINE GUILD ARTS CENTER, 1037 Silvermine Rd., New Canaan. silvermineart.org »

8TH ANNUAL

B E ST BARTE N D E R

WEDNESDAY SEPT 2*

6:30-9:00 p.m.

Harbor Point, Stamford Presented by

C O NTE ST by

MAGAZINE

Join the Fun

Help Choose Stamford’s Best Bartender

Mix your best cocktail, serve some light bites and meet your next 500+ customers.

Get in the Game!

Business & Restaurant sponsorships available Contact Publisher, Karen Kelly: 203.571.1624 or Karen.Kelly@Moffly.com

*Rain Date: Thursday, Sept 3 6:30-9:00 p.m.

calendar SM HOME GALLERY, 135 East Putnam Ave., 2nd flr., Greenwich, 629-8121. sandramorganinteriors.com STAMFORD ART ASSOCIATION, 39 Franklin St., Stamford. stamfordartassociation.org STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford. stamfordmuseum.org UCONN STAMFORD ART GALLERY, One University Pl., Stamford, 251-8400. artgallery.stamford .uconn.edu WESTPORT ARTS CENTER, 51 Riverside Ave., Westport, 226- 7070. westportartscenter.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

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

1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford, 329-8207. curtaincallinc.com

Pleasantville, NY, 914-773-7663. burnsfilmcenter.org

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

LONG WHARF THEATRE, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven, 787-4282. longwharf.com

CONCERTS, FILM & THEATER

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

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

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

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

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

CURTAIN CALL, The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex,

JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER, 364 Manville Rd.,

An Evening with Laurel House

RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 438-9269. ridgefieldplayhouse.org

LECTURES, TOURS & WORKSHOPS

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

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

SHUBERT THEATER, 247 College St., New Haven, 800-228-6622. shubert.com

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

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

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

108. auxdelicesfoods.com BOWMAN OBSERVATORY PUBLIC NIGHT, NE of

Honoring 2020 Champion for Recovery Anthony L. Rostain, MD, MA Co-Author, The Stressed Years of Their Lives Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Cooper University Health Care Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University Emeritus Professor, University of Pennsylvania

Also honoring Town Champions, who make their towns better places in which to live and work: Lily Genovese

Penny Johnston-Foote

Leo Karl

Genevieve Eason

Darien

Saturday, June 13, 2020 6:00 PM

New Canaan

Delamar, Greenwich Harbor

Greenwich Wilton

For more information, please visit www.bit.ly/laurelhouse2020

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calendar 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 CONNECTICUT CERAMICS STUDY CIRCLE, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. ctcsc.org FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER, 370 Beach Rd., Fairfield, 259-1598. fairfieldhistory.org GARDEN EDUCATION CENTER, 130 Bible St., 869-9242. gecgreenwich.org

BRUCE MUSEUM, Sat. 9, the annual gala has been cancelled.

CHILD ADVOCATES OF SW CONNECTICUT, Wed. 12, the luncheon has been postponed.

GARDEN CLUB OF OLD GREENWICH, OGRCC, 90 Harding Road. The annual plant sale has been cancelled.

GREENWICH ARTS COUNCIL, Sat. 16, the annual benefit has been postponed to Sat, Oct. 31.

GREENWICH HOSPITAL, Fri. 15, the annual benefit has been cancelled.

GREENWICH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Fri. 1-3, enjoy the first-ever virtual Greenwich International Film Festival, bringing the festival experience into your home.

For more information visit greenwichfilm.org.

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

GREENWICH TREE CONSERVANCY, Fri. 1, the Tree Party has been postponed until October, date to be announced.

KATONAH MUSEUM OF ART, 26 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua, NY, 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org

GREENWICH TOWN PARTY, Sat. 23, has been postponed until August. New date, lineup and details to be announced, greenwichtownparty.org.

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

MOFFLY MEDIA’S WOMEN IN BUSINESS, Thurs. 14, has been postponed until September.

EVENT UPDATES ABILIS, Sat. 2, will be virtual.

For more information visit abilis.us.

BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE, Sun. 17, the get fit for hope challenge will be a virtual experience. For more information visit breastcanceralliance.org/ events.

Social Distancing in Bruce Park

RIVER HOUSE ADULT DAY CENTER, Fri. 1, has been cancelled.

ROTARY CLUB OF GREENWICH, Thurs. 7, has been postponed to the fall.

YWCA GREENWICH, Thurs. 7–Sat. 9 Old Bags Luncheon will be going virtual.

For more information visit ywcagreenwich.org.

YWCA GREENWICH, Sat. 30, the annual gala has been postponed until Sat., Oct. 3.

KIDS’ STUFF /

MAY 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

G G westportplayhouse.org

advertisers index ART & ANTIQUES Drew Klotz Kinetic Sculpture . . . . . . 20

BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT Douglas VanderHorn Architects . . . . . 15 Grand Entrance Gates . . . . . . . . . . 29 Private Staff Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

BUSINESS & FINANCE Cummings & Lockwood LLC . . . . . . . 8 UBS Financial Services Inc./ The Shantz Mantione Group . . . . . 35

DECORATING & HOME FURNISHINGS Amy Aidinis Hirsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

ENTERTAINMENT The Ridgefield Playhouse . . . . . . . . 27

EVENTS A-list Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 An Evening With Laurel House . . . . . 69 Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut/ Nationwide Walk to End Epilepsy . . . 71

Light a Fire 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Stamford magazine's 8th Annual Best Bartender Contest . . . . . . . . 68 YWCA of Greenwich Old Bags Luncheon . . . . . . . . . . 66

FASHION Henry's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 3 Roundabout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

LANDSCAPING, NURSERY & FLORISTS Evergreen Lawn & Tree Services, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Homefront Farmers . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

NONPROFIT Fairfield County's Community Foundation Covid-19 Resiliency Fund . . . . . . . 19

PHOTOGRAPHY Bob Capazzo Photography . . . . . . . . 8

HEALTH & BEAUTY Gray Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Greenwich Fertility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Nathaniel Witherell . . . . . . . . . . 18 NicholsMD of Greenwich . . . . . . . . . 11 Park Avenue Vein Laser Center/ H. Majlessi, M.D., FACS, FICS & Vida Yasmin, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rye Vein Laser Center/ H. Majlessi, M.D., FACS, FICS & Vida Yasmin, M.D. . . . 10 Stamford Health . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 4

1 in

REAL ESTATE Sotheby's International Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 2, 1,2 3 William Raveis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

REAL ESTATE/DESTINATION John's Island Real Estate Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

MISCELLANEOUS Big Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Westy Self Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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postscript photog raph by melissa mc cann santangel o

HOPE SPRINGS ...

W hat better time for us to celebrate the arrival of a new season? “There is something about seeing the beauty of the emerging spring that brings me hope in this unsettling time,” says Greenwich resident Melissa McCann Santangelo. “It is like nature is reminding us that normalcy will return. I hope so—and soon.” We couldn’t agree with Melissa more. As circumstances seem beyond our control, let these budding harbingers of spring bring a smile to your face. 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 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 thethe subject line. subject line.

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FINDING A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR IS EASIER THAN EVER. Stamford Health Medical Group believes primary care is important for keeping you and your loved ones healthy. With more than 130 primary care physicians and specialists across Fairfield County, we make it easy for you to find a doctor close to home.

We offer flexible hours that fit your schedule, and we accept most health insurance plans.

To make an appointment, visit StamfordHealth.org/PrimaryCare or call 888.898.4876.

DARIEN • GREENWICH • NEW CANAAN • NORWALK • RIVERSIDE • STAMFORD • WILTON