New Caanan, Darien + Rowayton - November/December 2020

BIRTHDAY BASH Celebrating Big in Darien

NOV/DEC 2020 | $5.95

Holiday Magic FESTIVE INSPIRATION FOR EVERY ROOM A peek into one of the homes on the Newcomers Club of New Canaan’s Holiday House Tour DESIGNED BY LORA GRAY

LIGHT A FIRE Honoring those who go above and beyond

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE & SUBURBAN

The Tahoe and Suburban have earned the trust of families, men and women in uniform, even world leaders and movie stars. As the longest-running nameplate in automotive history at 85 years, Suburban established the segment and remains a trusted partner for customers who need maximum space. Tahoe is the best-selling full-size SUV in the U.S., a title it’s held for 19 consecutive years.

Now these iconic SUVs have been fully redesigned to carry their legacy into a new era. We’ve taken what people love most about Tahoe and Suburban and made them even better — with more room for people and cargo, added advanced technologies and an unmatched driving experience. Visit Karl Chevrolet in New Canaan for your personal tour and test drive of the all-new Chevy Tahoe and Suburban! We’ve been assisting local families with their transportation needs since 1927.

www.karldirect.com 261 Elm Street New Canaan, CT 06840 203.966.9508 Honesty. Integrity. Service. Trust. Since 1927

POIS MOI COLLECTION

LUX BOND & GREEN JEWELERS SINCE 1898

136 MAIN STREET WESTPORT 203.227.1300 GLASTONBURY MOHEGAN SUN WEST HARTFORD BOSTON WELLESLEY LBGreen.com

800.524.7336

c ntents vol. 20 | issue 6

NOV/DEC 2020 features

44

departments 8 EDITOR’S LETTER

DARIEN AT 200

11 STATUS REPORT

A big birthday bash for a bustling little town

BUZZ New flavors at TBE; Tips on how to build your immunity SHOP Holiday Gift Guide GO Citizenship abroad; Vehicles go electric HOME A colorful kitchen re-do EAT Two festive new restaurants

b y e l i z abet h hol e

56

HOLIDAY DREAMS A peek into six beautiful New Canaan homes, decked for Christmas

20

Sunnylife’s mega jumbling tower game in the Holiday Gift Guide

87 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

b y ma l ia mc k i n non f r a me

70

88 LAST WORD c over phot o gr aph by jane beiles

LIGHT A FIRE 2020 Honoring our local heroes b y j i l l joh n s on

NEW CANAAN • DARIEN & ROWAYTON NOV/DEC 2020, VOL. 20, NO. 6. NEW CANAAN • DARIEN & ROWAYTON (ISSN 1942-1028) is published bimonthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to NEW CANAAN PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. Subscription rates: $19.95/1 year (6 issues), $32.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign $40/1 year, $66/2 years. newcanaandarienmag.com

2

CONTRIBUTED

44

Palmer’s market opened in Darien in 1921. Today, we celebrate 200 years of the town.

digital content & MORE

nov/dec 2020

newcanaandarienmag.com

JOIN US ONLINE AS WE CONNECT WITH OUR TOWNS

INSTAGRAM LIVE!

CONNECTING CT

Join us online as host DAVE BRIGGS interviews compelling local people about the biggest topics today.

JOIN US ONLINE

In Honoring Our COVID-19 Heroes

For the Record: A FAVORITE Pastime Here

THU RS DAY, DECEMBER 3 5 :4 5 - 6: 4 5 P.M.

JUMP ONLINE

Visit our directories for resources

Bill Taibe

Jim Marpe

Dan Orlovsky

Hiking with his dog at Devil’s Den in Weston

First cup at Coffee An’ or Donut Crazy

Beach cruising on bikes with the kids

DON’T MISS OUR LATEST ARTICLES AND MORE!

We cover many topics: race, education, youth sports, protests, running a business during Covid-19 and more.

But sometimes we just want to know what people love about their community…so we ask.

Join us on Westport Magazine’s IGTV

FOLLOW US ON:

newcanaandarienmag.com

4

LIGHT A FIRE AWARDS BY MELANI LUST; HOLIDAY SHOPPING BY ©PROSTOCK-STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; SMARTPHONE BY ©I380632883310 - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; BILL TAIBE BY GARVIN BURKE; JIM MARPE AND DAN ORLOVSKY, CONTRIBUTED

R EGISTER NOW AT L IGHTAF IREAWARDS.COM

THE BEST ORTHOPEDICS

BY FAR IS RIGHT HERE. Hospital for Special Surgery and Stamford Health have teamed up to bring world-class orthopedic care closer to you.

Our team of experts remains dedicated to making safe, responsible musculoskeletal care available – wherever you are.

To learn more about our in-person and virtual appointment options, visit HSS.edu/StamfordHealth

HSS Stamford, 1 Blachley Rd, Stamford, CT 06902 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN Most major insurance plans accepted. New patients welcome.

5

VOLUME 20

ISSUE 6

NOV/DEC 2020

creative director Amy Vischio

publisher Jonathan W. Moffly

editorial

sales + marketing

executive editor Cristin Marandino editor Julee Kaplan

Jonathan W. Moffly

market editor Megan Gagnon

publisher, athome, greenwich, fairfield living

advisory editor Donna Moffly

jonathan.moffly@moffly.com

art

Gabriella Mays

senior art director Venera Alexandrova

publisher, westport

senior art director/status report Garvin Burke

gabriella.mays@moffly.com

production director Christine Bachmann design assistant Taylor Stroili

Karen Kelly-Micka publisher, stamford

contributors

karen.kelly@moffly.com

editors

Elizabeth Hole - editor, custom publishing Diane Sembrot - editor, fairfield living; westport; stamford

Jennifer Frank account executive

jennifer.frank@moffly.com

writers

Liz Ariola, Liz Barron, Kim-Marie Evans, Chris Hodenfield, Elizabeth Hole, Malia McKinnon Frame, Jill Johnson, Georgette Tacoub

Rick Johnson account executive

rick.johnson@moffly.com

copy editors

Hilary Hotchkiss

Terry Christofferson, Kathy Satterfield

acount executive editorial advisory board

hilary.hotchkiss@moffly.com

Robert Doran, Sue Frelinghuysen, David Genovese, Nancy Helle, Claire Hunter, Robyn Kammerer, Rita Kirby, George McEvoy, Julianna Spain, Amy Wilkinson, Torrance York

Jennifer Petersen acount executive

jennifer.petersen@moffly.com

digital digital editor Diane Sembrot digital marketing manager Rachel MacDonald digital assistant Lloyd Gabi

Kathleen Godbold partnership and big picture manager

kathleen.godbold@moffly.com Rachel Shorten events director

business president Jonathan W. Moffly chief revenue officer Andrew Amill business manager Elena V. Moffly cofounders John W. Moffly IV and Donna C. Moffly

rachel.shorten@moffly.com Lemuel Bandala sales assistant

lemuel.bandala@moffly.com Eillenn Bandala business assistant

eillenn.bandala@moffly.com

published by 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880 phone: 203-222-0600 fax: 203-222-0937 mail@mofflymedia.com Publishers of FAIRFIELD LIVING, GREENWICH, NEW CANAAN - DARIEN, WESTPORT, STAMFORD and athome Magazines advertising inquiries Lemuel Bandala email advertise@mofflymedia.com.

TO SUBSCRIBE, renew, or change your address, please e-mail us at subscribe@ncdmag.com, call 1-877-467-1735, or write to New Canaan - Darien magazine, 111 Corporate Drive, Big Sandy, TX 75755. U.S. subscription rates: $19.95/1 year (6 issues); $32.95/2 years (12 issues); $44.95/3 years (18 issues). Canada and foreign, US $36/year. Prices are subject to change without notice. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher. Š2020 New Canaan - Darien magazine is a registered trademark owned by Moffly Media.

The opinions expressed by writers commissioned for articles published by New Canaan - Darien magazine are not necessarily those of the magazine.

FOR QUALITY CUSTOM REPRINTS/E-PRINTS, please call 203-571-1645 or e-mail reprints@mofflymedia.com

newcanaandarienmag.com

6

Š 2020 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Franchises independently owned and operated.

Pantry custom designed

by California Closets

We design custom solutions for the stories of your life. Together with us, the space where you live becomes the place you love.

Find yourself at home with

Complimentary Virtual or In-Home Design Consultation californiaclosets.com

@caliclosetsct

CONNECTICUT 7 Progress Dr, Shelton 203.924.8444 WESTCHESTER 16 Saw Mill River Rd, Hawthorne 914.592.1001

editor’s letter

REASONS TO CELEBRATE

W

hat a year.

Like many of you have said, this hasn’t been the best year ever. A global pandemic, turbulent elections, cancelled vacations, hybrid schooling—we’ve been dealing with a lot in 2020. And, even though we may still have to wear a mask and social distance from loved ones, we want to assure you—there is still plenty to celebrate.

This issue is packed with ways to help you get ready for the holiday season. In our “Holiday Dreams” feature, writer Malia McKinnon Frame interviews the six local interior designers who decked last year’s stunning homes for the semiannual New Canaan Newcomers Club Holiday House Tour. And, they’re giving us some amazing tips to bring our homes to the next level this year. Besides, you’re likely going to be spending more time at home for the holidays.

Also, don’t miss our “Light A Fire” feature where writer Jill Johnson interviewed some of the most selfless people in our communities.

These people went above and beyond to make

newcanaandarienmag.com

8

sure that the sick are cared for, our front-line workers are fed, restaurants stay busy in unpresented times. These stellar givers make us all so proud to be living here.

And, last but not least, we have to send our best birthday wishes out to the town of Darien.

This year was supposed to be filled with festivities in order to celebrate the town’s 200th birthday. While many of these events have had to be put on hold, there’s lots of fun planned for 2021. Writer and Darienite Elizabeth Hole takes us through all the history, fun facts and activities planned in “Darien at 200.” Don’t miss it.

Stay safe, be well and happy holidays!

julee.kaplan@moffly.com

PHOTO BY KYLE NORTON

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @NCDMAG

NOV/DEC 2020 / JULEE KAPLAN

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE l NEW CANAAN Every room is a moment, punctuated by dramatic lighting and unbelievable views of the expansive grounds all in a private setting. $8,600,000 l MLS# 170302074 l Wendy & Heidi l 646.232.6200

WELCOME TO WONDERFUL! l DARIEN Views that take your breath away, upland to the sound abound from this Pre-War meets 21st century stunner! A one of a kind opportunity awaits. $4,700,000 l MLS # 170341553 l Book & Co. l Stacy Book l 203.858.6309

Recognized as the

STUNNING VIEWS l DARIEN Amazing opportunity to own Darien waterfront. Light, bright, private and spacious. Beautifully appointed inside and out. Enjoy the views & pool. $6,900,000 l MLS # 170335595 l Deirdre McGovern Team l 203.554.0897

PRIVACY, SPACE & CONVENIENCE l NEW CANAAN Grand custom colonial with exquisite millwork, custom details and finishes throughout. Home office with private entry in the heart of town. $3,595,000 l MLS# 170334949 l Melissa Rwambuya l 917.670.5053

The #1 Family-Owned Real Estate Company in the Northeast & Florida

Over 4,000 Sales Associates

#1 Luxury Brokerage

by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World

137 Offices

.

Over $12.2 Billion Residential Sales 9 States - CT, FL, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT

N E W C A N A A N 2 0 3 . 9 6 6 . 3 5 5 5 | D A R I E N 2 0 3 . 6 5 5 .1 4 2 3 | R O W A Y TO N 2 0 3 . 8 5 4 . 5 1 1 6

singular in design “Edgy incarnations of luxury” Condé Nast Traveler

winvianfarm.com

buzz STATUS REPORT

“[TBE] is a twist on highend Mexican food set in a happy, bright indoor-outdoor space for an extraordinary dining experience.”

—nick

Owner Nick Martschenko shows off TBE’s pork carnitas with corn tortillas, salsa verde and salsa de arbol.

FESTIVE FLAVOR JULIA DAGS

O

pening a new restaurant during a global pandemic might be an intimidating thought for some restaurateurs, but not for Nick Martschenko.

The owner and executive chef of the muchloved South End and Uncorked restaurants in New Canaan is set to open his newest venture in town, The Back End (TBE). Located at 17 Elm Street in the back alley behind Uncorked

EXECUTIVE CHEF NICK MARTSCHENKO TO OPEN A

THIRD SPOT IN NEW CANAAN

by julee k apl an

where Baldanza once was, TBE will offer diners “a twist on high-end Mexican food set in a happy, bright indoor-outdoor space for an extraordinary dining experience,” explains Martschenko.

TBE will offer an array of flavorful dishes including easy-to-share snacks and tacos. Menu specialties are to include tortilla soup with braised chicken topped with sour cream, crispy NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

11

martschenko , owner and executive chef

corn, avocado and cilantro, ceviche featuring ahi tuna poke nachos and Martschenko’s take on not-your-average tacos—encompassing everything from BLTs to cheeseburgers and fried oysters. In order to test some of the dishes, Martschenko says he has offered some of his new dishes as specials on the Uncorked menu and the reactions to these dishes has been stellar. To complement the cuisine, the cocktail menu is highlighted by a carefully curated mix of tequila options. And, as an added bonus, diners sitting outside can order from either Uncorked or TBE’s menu. On exceptionally nice days, the large front windows will open in the front of the new restaurant to an indooroutdoor bar for easy ordering.

Plus, to offer an even more unique dining experience, Martschenko says he’s planning to combine the outdoor spaces between Uncorked and TBE and make them functional throughout the winter season.

“I’d love to see the garden area, shared by Uncorked and The Back End, be tented along with lights and heating,” he explains. “And maybe even with extra personal touches like providing guests with signature one-time-use blankets.”

For the interior design of the 40-seat space, Martschenko tapped local fashion stylist Ruth Stiefel who chose a colorful but modern style to create a “happy space with a bit of a wow factor,” she explains. “We can all use a little bit of happiness right about now.”

TBE will open to the public this month.

buzz number of colds but more high-quality studies are needed.

There is no conclusive evidence that any herbal remedies impact the incidence of the common cold and many have unsafe side effects for children. The current recommendation is that they should be avoided in children. vitamin E has also commonly been used because it has been shown to decrease the number of colds; however, it is associated with an increase in all-cause mortality and therefore should be avoided.

Dr. Herbert: No supplements have been proven to prevent Covid-19.

Many claim to improve immunity but these claims often lack scientific evidence. Some supplements or combinations have the potential to be harmful [interactions with one another, high doses, mixing with prescription medication, etc].

It is always best to check with your physician regarding supplements. For general health, commonly used supplements that are safe at the appropriate doses are multivitamins, melatonin, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D.

THE BIG REBOOT BUILDING A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM CAN BE KEY TO GETTING

THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS

by liz barron

P

andemic or not, it’s pretty safe to say that keeping our immune systems strong is an important element to staying healthy. And, with the cold and flu season ramping up, now is clearly the time for a reboot. We spoke with local medical experts JOSH HERBERT, M.D., medical director, primary care, at Stamford Health Medical Group, and KAREN BECKMAN, M.D., pediatrician at Riverside Pediatrics LC in New Canaan for their advice on what could help.

Will we see less sickness in general because of mask wearing and socialdistancing orders?

Dr. Herbert: Masks work. Covid-19 has been demonstrated to spread via respiratory droplets (although airborne transmission continues to be studied). Therefore, maintaining physical distance (6 feet) and wearing a mask decreases transmission.

Masks are critically necessary in decreasing transmission from asymptomatic Covid positive people. Areas that adapted mask wearing, distancing and hand washing have proven to show decreased spread of infection. The R0 (“R naught”) of an infectious disease refers to how contagious it is or, more specifically, how many people are likely to become infected from one contagious person. Based on

Dr. Beckman: Children living in the Northeast should be taking vitamin D3 supplements during the school year. I recommend 400 to 600 IUs for infants and children up to puberty and 1000 IUs starting at around age 11. A multivitamin (with vitamin D) is useful for children with limited diets.

Some studies show that vitamin C dosing of at least 200 mg/ day helps prevent upper respiratory infections. Studies show that zinc helps shorten the course of the common cold when given at a dose of 50 mcg/kg/day up to a maximum dose of 2000 mcg/day but should never be given intranasally. There is also some evidence that probiotics may help decrease the

newcanaandarienmag.com

12

that mathematical formula, Covid-19 is more contagious than influenza. So if we are taking measures to prevent Covid, we automatically decrease the spread of flu. Just do not wear a mask with an exhalation valve or vent. These types of masks potentially allow the contagious virus to be exhaled out the vent.

Should I worry about my child’s immune system more now than ever?

Dr. Beckman: For most children, there is no need to evaluate their immune system.

Taking preventative measures, wearing masks and ensuring proper hand washing should be enough.

For children who are suffering from more than “their share” of infections, especially repeated bacterial infections, or infections severe enough to result in hospitalization— further testing should be pursued to look for underlying immunodeficiency disorders.

How can we maintain a healthy immune system?

Dr. Herbert: Everyone’s immune system is different and is affected by multiple factors— some that are modifiable and others that are not.

Health conditions, prescription medications and advanced age can put certain individuals at higher risk of infection; focusing on factors that can be controlled is key.

HABITS FOR GOOD HEALTH 1 GET ENOUGH QUALITY SLEEP 2 EAT A BALANCED DIET Limit sugar and processed foods, and increase amounts of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein.

3 STAY HYDRATED Gargling with water three times a day has been shown to reduce the incidence of the common cold.

4 EXERCISE Target 150 minutes per week of cardio for adults.

5 MAINTAIN PROPER WORK/ LIFE BALANCE especially when working from home 6 LIMIT ALCOHOL 7 REDUCE STRESS 8 TAKE BREAKS FROM SCREENS

©JCHIZHE - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Are there supplements we all should be taking right now?

ONS SPINE CENTER

TOP DOCTORS® IN NEW YORK METRO AREA, FAIRFIELD COUNTY, & CONNECTICUT

Care you can trust

THE ONS SPINE CENTER is made up of an elite team of highly-skilled neurosurgeons who have been leaders in minimally-invasive and outpatient spine procedures for more than 20 years, and are annually recognized as the top in their field by Castle Connolly.

MARK CAMEL, M.D.

PAUL APOLSTOLIDES, M.D.

AMORY FIORE, M.D.

SCOTT SIMON, M.D.

“It is so comforting to me that some of the nation’s finest neurosurgeons are right here at ONS. They are not just highly skilled and up on the least invasive techniques, they are also caring human beings.”

“You’ve given me hope when I had none. Thank you for your compassion and encouragement, but most of all thank you for my mobility!”

— E.S., PURCHASE, NY

— C.M., GREENWICH, CT

• Urgent Ortho Care • Self-scheduling • In Network with All Major Insurances

Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists ONSMD.COM 203.869.1145 GREENWICH, HARRISON, STAMFORD

shop by megan gagnon

H OLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

dress the part

set the scene

at your leisure

spa-tify

dining in

PG. 16

PG. 18

PG. 20

PG. 22

PG.24

newcanaandarienmag.com

14

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS; BOW ©JUKOV STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

We’ve had most of the year to become professional homebodies.

Isn’t a season with shorter days and colder nights the perfect time to put our new skills to good use? Still, we could all use some help in lifting our spirits (bottled spirits are a great place to start). Here, a guide for everyone who’s staying in. After all, there’s no place like home for the holidays (and we know you’re not traveling anywhere, anyway).

south norwalk, connecticut | p. 203.563.0553 w w w. m i c h a e l s m i t h a r c h i t e c t s . c o m

shop / H OLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

2

3

4 1 8

6

7 dress

9

THE PART getting cozy never looked so good 1 UGG Fluffette slipper; $89.95. Nordstrom, The SoNo Collection; nordstrom.com 2 JOHN ELLIOTT Escobar heather gray lounge pant; $248. Mitchells, Westport; mitchellstores.com 3 TORY BURCH Striped poncho; $358. Greenwich; toryburch.com 4 JENNI KAYNE Shearling slide sandal; $325. jennikayne.com 5 KERRI ROSENTHAL Oversized patchwork cashmere hoodie; $448. Westport; kerrirosenthal.com 6 MOTHER DENIM Busy Doin’ Nothing socks; $24. Penfield Collective, Fairfield; penfieldcollective.com 7 EUGENIA KIM Maryn knotted headband; $145. modaoperandi.com 8 JOIE Jorja sweater; $328. Greenwich; joie.com 9 SKIN Double layer pant; $148. Soleil Toile, New Canaan, Westport; soleiltoile.com

newcanaandarienmag.com

16

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

5

For Your Piece of Paradise

Only one real estate brand holds the keys to your most exceptional home and life. You are unique among those who demand more of themselves; to achieve more, to imagine more, to set a higher standard for their life goals.

Your new home is more than a building or an address. It’s where you experience life, connection and growth. For those ready for what’s next, there is only Sotheby’s International Realty®.

Let us help you find the one.

williampitt.com DARIEN & ROWAYTON BROKERAGES Property Featured: 16 Birch Road, Darien CT Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Focus your camera on the code to view our office’s virtual brochures or visit virtualpreview.com/darien

shop / H OLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

3

1 2

4

6

set the SCENE

5

a house warming starter set

9

1 MITCHELL GOLD + BOB WILLIAMS Herringbone throw; $260. Greenwich; mgbwhome.com 2 SANTA MARIA NOVELLA Pot Pourri; $35. Navy Lobster, Greenwich 3 THE USB LIGHTER COMPANY USB rechargeable lighter; $38. Back 40 Mercantile, Old Greenwich; back40mercantile.com 4 JØRGEN RASMUSSEN Sheepskin throw 23.6” x 41.3”; $95. Design WIthin Reach, Stamford, Westport; dwr.com 5 TELLEFSEN ATELIER Wildflower mug; $55.Wee Mondine, Darien; weemondine.com 6 DIPTYQUE Small candle holder in gold by Osanna Visconti; $1,750. diptyqueparis.com 7 OLD MAN MCKITTRICK’S Hello Lily Rose candle; $42. Hickory & Tweed, Armonk; hickoryandtweed.com 8 CHRONICLE BOOKS Hygge & West Home: Design for a Cozy Life; $35. Eleish van Breems Home, Westport; evbantiques.com 9 FARMHOUSE POTTERY Fatwood firestarter bag; $32. West Elm, Westport; westelm.com

newcanaandarienmag.com

18

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

8

7

35 elm street. westport serenaandlily.com

shop / H OLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

2

1

3 AT YOUR

leisure 7

it’s all fun and games (and puzzles, lots of puzzles)

9

4

5

10

6

1 PRINTWORKS Classic Domino set; $32. verishop.com 2 CHRONICLE BOOKS Gin Rummy playing cards; $14.99. Anthropologie, Westport; anthropologie.com 3 SMITH STREET BOOKS Bowie Bingo; $29.95. smithstreetbooks.com 4 RIZZOLI Tiger King puzzle; $14.95. Elm Street Bookstore, New Canaan; elmstreetbooks.com 5 CAVALLINI AND CO. Vintage succulents puzzle; $22. Terrain, Westport; shopterrain.com 6 AREAWARE Little puzzle thing; $15. areaware.com 7 SUNNYLIFE Mega jumbling tower game; $110. sunnylife.com 8 OMY Ultra washable markers; $17. maisonette.com 9 HYGGE GAMES I’m Not Saying You’re Stupid; $20. Beehive, Fairfield; thebeehivefairfield.com 10 JONATHAN ADLER Harlequin 2-in-1 game set; $25. jonathanadler.com

newcanaandarienmag.com

20

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

8

LIFE

Informed.

Great teachers are the key to navigating and decoding today’s vast online landscape. In the classroom and far beyond, our faculty brings years of experience, an impressive complement advanced degrees, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing and educating our boys.

ofRSVP FOR

OUR

V IR T U A L OPEN HOUSE

bwick.org/virtualvisit

shop / H OLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

2 1

3

spa-TIFY

4

the relaxing music and cucumber water are optional

6 7

5

1 LE LABO Body scrub; $48. Greenwich; lelabofragrances.com 2 SERENA & LILY Positano linen robe; $128. Westport; serenaandlily.com 3 AESOP Gentle deep-cleansing duo; $100.

Greenwich; aesop.com 4 SAVVY + GRACE Luxe hot water bottle; $29.95. Westport; savvyandgracewestport.com 5 TRIUMPH & DISASTER Ritual face cleanser; $30.Organachs Farm to Skin, Westport; organachsfarmtoskin.com 6 STRANGE BIRD Inner Light moisturizer; $78. Inner Light, Darien; innerlight-wellness.com 7 MZ SKIN Light therapy golden facial treatment device; $625. Bluemercury, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport; bluemercury.com 8 JOANNA VARGAS Magic Glow Wand; $285. joannavargas.com

newcanaandarienmag.com

22

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

8

761 Main Avenue, Route 7 - Suite 101 Norwalk, CT 06851 (203) 716-6008

1290 Summer Street - Suite 2300 Stamford, CT 06905 (203) 295-0160

Is Severe Sinus Pain Making You

Miserable and Frustrated?

Is sinus pressure affecting your sleep and keeping you from concentrating at work?

Do you want to be able to breathe again?

CT ENT offers a safe and effective option for chronic sinus patients interested in finding relief from their sinus pressure, congestion, and swelling without major sinus surgery.

Life-Changing Treatment for Sinusitis Long-Lasting Relief for Sinus Sufferers Balloon Sinuplasty has been clinically-proven to provide relief from painful sinus symptoms for 94% of patients. This minimally invasive sinus treatment is performed in the offices of CT ENT. Balloon Sinuplasty requires no incisions, which minimizes bleeding, pain, and recovery.

Locate

Dilate

Relieve

The procedure is performed in the offices of CT ENT Sinus Center by our team of sinus care professionals. www.ct-ent.com

shop / H OLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

2 1 3 6

dining

4

IN

no reservations necessary

7 8 1 RIZZOLI The Perfect Kitchen; $55. Waterworks, Greenwich; waterworks.com 2 MATER Double bottle; $190. shophorne.com 3 FLOUR BAKERY Assorted frozen cookie dough; $89.95.

Williams Sonoma, Westport; williams-sonoma.com 4 BRIGHTLAND The Duo, 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil; $74. brightland.com 5 CARL AUBOCK Hand beer opener; $195. The Glass House Design Store, New Canaan; designstore.theglasshouse.org 6 JULISKA Graham bar tool set; $198. Stamford; juliska.com 7 LSA Paddle tapas set; $145. The Perfect Provenance, Greenwich; theperfectprovenance.com 8 TERRA KAFFE TK-01 espresso machine; $775. store.moma.org

newcanaandarienmag.com

24

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

5

go

by kim-marie evans

homeward bound

(wherever that may be)

P

Generally it’s less expensive and quicker to obtain citizenship in the Caribbean. However, European citizenship can be more desirable. Much like you might join the local swim and tennis club while waiting for membership at the golf club, some applicants are obtaining Caribbean citizenship while also pursuing European passports.

Due to increased demand, some governments have made their programs more enticing.

St. Kitts is offering a limitedtime sale on its citizenship. Nuri Katz, the founder of Apex Capital Partners who specializes in immigration, says that in the spirit of competition, some countries are even expanding the definition of “dependent” to include siblings or parents. In 2017, Katz estimated that around 5,000 people per year acquired citizenship abroad through CIPs. In 2020, he puts that number closer to 25,000, though no official numbers exist.

rivate jets won’t get you around international travel bans, but a second passport could. Citizenship by Investment programs (CIPs) have been the quiet secret of wealthy global travelers since St. Kitts and Nevis launched the first program in 1984. Some programs don’t even require a visit to the country. Yet, the investor (and family) gain lifetime citizenship and passports that allow for greater travel flexibility than the U.S. passport does currently.

More than sixty nations, the U.S. included, allow legal residents to apply for citizenship after meeting specific criteria. But only about a dozen countries allow nonresidents to purchase citizenship outright.

You read that correctly: You can buy citizenship, and a more powerful passport, in several countries worldwide, without ever leaving home.

Is this legal? There is no law against a U.S. citizen holding dual citizenship.

Here’s what to know. (And the first thing is, it’s gonna cost you.)

HOW DOES IT WORK? In the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis offer citizenship through investment. Investors either donate to the government (yes, that is the terminology) or invest in a government-approved real estate project. In Europe, there are multiple programs, Cyprus

and Malta being the most sought after. Some require applicants to set up nonprofits, establish companies that create local jobs, or live in the country for a specified period. Others enable applicants to invest in government bonds, real estate and development projects remotely. For a comprehensive list of programs and rules, see websites such as HenleyGlobal .com or ApexCapital.Partners.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? For anywhere from $100,000 to several million dollars,

newcanaandarienmag.com

26

you can buy a second—or a third—passport. Antigua and Dominica are the least expensive with a $100,000 investment requirement, and Cyprus, one of the most costly, is over 2 million dollars. Cyprus and Malta are more desirable because citizenship grants the applicant and their family unlimited access to live and work throughout the European Union. These prices don’t include processing fees, which can run to almost six figures. Each program has specific criteria, and all require a strict vetting process. Malta claims to reject 20 to 25 percent of all applicants. It’s not strictly “pay to play,” but it’s close.

Do your due diligence. Each program is unique, and it takes research to know which suits your particular needs. Plans come and go: Ireland no longer allows citizenship by investment, and there are rumors that Albania will launch a program soon.

A specialist can help you navigate the many options, and for goodness sake, don’t wave your new passport on Instagram (we’re looking at you Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson). Some things are best kept to oneself.

PHOTO BY ©MEGAFLOPP - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

MONEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BUY LOVE, BUT IT CAN BUY CITIZENSHIP

How do I deal with constant volatility?

Markets will always fluctuate. But whatever way they move, a comprehensive financial plan is one of the best strategies to stay on track toward your goals. Your UBS Financial Advisor monitors the current environment and will work with you to ensure your plan and your portfolio reflect changing conditions. Volatility may be unsettling, but with a long-term plan in place, you can feel more confident about the future.

For some of life’s questions, you’re not alone.

Together we can find an answer.

Thomas Mantione, CEPA®, CFP® Managing Director–Wealth Management Private Wealth Advisor Andrew Shantz, CEPA®, CFP® Senior Vice President–Wealth Management Private Wealth Advisor Greg Merrill, CEPA®, CFP® Private Wealth Advisor

Scan to listen to our recent podcasts.

Shantz Mantione Group UBS Financial Services Inc. Private Wealth Management 750 Washington Boulevard, 11th Floor Stamford, CT 06901 866-860-7266

ubs.com/team/shantzmantione

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and Certified finanCial PlannerTM in the US. Private Wealth Management is a division within UBS Financial Services Inc., which is a subsidiary of UBS AG. © UBS 2020. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. CJ-UBS-1271590827 Exp.: 09/30/2021

go

CHARGING FORWARD ELECTRIC POWER IS GIVING SERIOUS JUICE TO THE FUTURE

the new SF90 Stradale that offers silent running from its three electric motors as well the shrieking fortissimo of its turbo V8, producing altogether nearly a 1,000 horsepower.

Porsche fanatics love their wonderful engines, but gracing the showrooms right now is the brand’s sleek Tesla-fighter, the Taycan, an insanely fast EV. The Taycan’s urgency is matched by Porsche’s electric intentions.

Cadillac abandoned its hybrid Escalade model seven years ago, but is now hustling one back into the showrooms, all the while preparing us for its new Lyriq in

2023, an electric vehicle with lines as swoopy as its name.

Jaguar, which already sells the I-Pace crossover, is about to introduce a new electric flagship XJ model.

Audi has already been selling electric versions of its Q-model SUVs in Europe and will now bring them here. BMW and Mercedes also have electric offerings.

Ford is about to do the unthinkable this year with the Mustang Mach-E, a version that grafts those classic Mustang lines on an EV crossover. They promise 300 miles of range, too. Sounds interesting.

Anyone who has experienced the eyeball-flattening thrill of a Tesla knows any of these models promise excitement. But what about, you know, more reasonable options?

Sensible shoppers will still want to examine Hyundai’s Kona Electric, a nifty pepper pot that provides 250-mile range for about $40,000.

Maybe the cheapest way to jump into an electric ride is the new Mini E at around $30,000.

The range is limited to 100 miles, but anyone with a garage-charger could make do. One thing we do know from our electric-car experience: It will be fun to drive.

Cadillac plans to re-enter the electric arena with the Lyriq in 2023.

newcanaandarienmag.com

28

CONTRIBUTED

S

ince introducing the Prius in 1997, Toyota alone has sold 11 million hybrids.

But equally influential is the brand that turned the automobile industry on its ear, Tesla, which is nearing its millionth sale and clearly gearing up to conquer the world with a long list of new styles to come. And now, automobile brands are rushing to copy the all-electric whoosh of highly stimulating propulsion.

So here’s what’s up. Coming environmental regulations guarantee it, and manufacturers know it. The most desirable Ferrari now, for instance, is

by chris hodenfield

New Canaan Skiers: Looking For A New Ski Shop?

One of the best ski shops in the country is just 20 minutes from New Canaan.

Learn more at hickoryandtweed.com

Save 15% on ski leasing now thru November 30.

Come to Hickory & Tweed in Armonk and you’ll save

15% on ski and snowboard leasing equipment now through November 30. And there’s no deposit required. lSchedule

an appointment for ski leasing or purchasing: Visit us at www.hickoryandtweed.com. We will also take “walk-ins,” but there may be wait-times due to store capacity limitations. lSee our wide range of ski gear and skiwear. Choose from

Volkl, Dynastar, Black Crows, Lange, Tecnica, Burton and more.

Ski fashions include Amundsen, Bogner, Kjus, Spyder, Helly Hansen, Arc’teryx, Obermeyer, Marmot, Patagonia and more.

W

Ski & Bike

Voted #1 Nationwide

SINCE SINCE 1961 1961

Celebrating our 59th Year

410 Main Street, Armonk, NY 10504 l 914.273.3397 l hickoryandtweed.com Monday thru Saturday, 10-6 l Sundays 12-5 l Bike Shop closed Mondays

Ski Magazine named Hickory & Tweed the Best Ski Shop in the Country.

home by malia mckinnon frame

BEFORE: The original galley-style kitchen wasn’t ideal for homeowner Kim Walin, so she planned to make some major changes soon after purchasing the home last year.

Blue Wave

AFTER:

An open, airy and colorful kitchen provides a clean look with lots of functional space.

A RENOVATION AND MAJOR COLOR INFUSION

G

iven we’re all spending more time inside these days, it’s a plus to be able to wake up in a joyful, uplifting space. For homeowner Kim Walin, that’s how she feels every morning when she walks into her gorgeous kitchen.

Walin bought her house—which dates back to the 50s—in 2019 after falling in love with the street. She knew it needed some updating, so friend and designer Michelle Morgan

Harrison was called in to help. Right away, the pair agreed that the galley-style kitchen needed to be reconfigured. “Because I worked with Kim on her previous home in Rowayton, I knew she loved an open airy feel,” explains Harrison. They relocated a bathroom on the second floor in order to make the foyer two stories, and also took out a wall between the foyer and dining room, which made the first floor lighter and brighter. newcanaandarienmag.com

30

Walin describes her style as transitional and wanted the clarity and clean look of a white kitchen, so she chose simple cabinets with modified double-stick shaker doors and satin brass hardware. She also loves pops of color—you’ll find a lot of teal, green and purple throughout her home—and knew that a strong colorful backsplash would be a great contrast among this bright white space.

“I looked for a long time and couldn’t find

AFTER PHOTO BY JANE BEILES

BREATHES HAPPY, NEW LIFE I N T O A D A R I E N H O M E

LIFE

Explored.

Discovery is transformative! Our boys grow into young men as they’re encouraged and inspired to explore, to engage, and to share themselves. During their explorations, we plant and nurture seeds of discovery, of service, of optimism, and of lifelong intellectual and emotional growth.

RSVP FOR OUR

V IR T U A L OPEN HOUSE

bwick.org/virtualvisit

AFTER, TOP LEFT: Homeowner

the right tile, but I worked with Susan Fleckner at Point Rock Surfaces to create my own colorway, which was a game changer,” notes Walin. The result is a stunning aqua mosaic that catches your eye whether you’re walking in the front door or looking out the kitchen windows. “It was a labor of love, but this unique backsplash ended up being my favorite feature in the house,” she says.

The kitchen is anchored by a light grayish-blue island with beautiful white quartz countertops.

“We intentionally didn’t match the island with the backsplash, but the color ties the two together and adds warmth,” Walin says. A pair of brass and glass Regina Andrew pendants and a curved sculptural faucet by Newport Brass add sophistication to this functional hub of the home.

There are bursts of blue in Walin’s bar area and powder room as well. “We converted a little passageway between the kitchen and family room into a wet bar with a white marble countertop and deep turquoise lacquered cabinets,” notes Walin. A whimsical ivy-printed wallpaper was hung and chunky brass open shelving installed for glassware. The hardware is lucite and brass, echoing that of the family room.

In addition to opening up the downstairs footprint, Walin and Harrison put in new windows, stained the oak floors a walnut brown and updated the traditional staircase with custom fretwork, which is echoed on the rear staircase and exterior portico. “It was all a bit of a transformation,” says Walin.

“This project was about letting Kim’s fun vibe and personality come through with the ability to revise the floor plan,” sums up Harrison. “The kitchen is the hub and heart of a home, and now the front door graciously opens into this fresh and cheery space.” newcanaandarienmag.com

32

JANE BEILES

Kim Walin calls this custom aqua mosaic backspalsh a “game changer.” TOP RIGHT: A large island anchors the space and provides lots of functionality. BELOW: Removing walls opened up the space and provided lots of light.

E

grand

ntrance

487 East Main Street • Mt. Kisco, NY

800-486-7553

LN# WC17260-HO5 CT HIC.0560846

From our doors to yours . . . wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season

Season's Greetings We design and build high quality wrought iron gates and railings, wood gates and fencing, automated gate systems, security cameras and entry systems, handcrafted stone walls, pillars, stairs and patios.

see our gallery of pictures at grandentrance.com

eat N E W R E S TA U R A N T

THE HAPPY PLACE TACO DADDY’S SISTER RESTAURANT, THE LILA ROSE, BRINGS UPSCALE WHIMSICAL TO STAMFORD

C

hef Maurice “Mo” Major is standing over a flaming burner in the back of Taco Daddy. He is calm, unfazed by the bustle of servers and sous chefs yelling, “Behind you!” as they maneuver their way around the kitchen. He is hypnotically stirring seafood risotto, a dish he is testing out for Taco Daddy’s new sister restaurant, The Lila Rose.

“This looks like a classic dish,” says Chef Mo, never raising his eyes from the pan, “but it goes in another direction and blows your mind with the heat and the concentration of the seafood sauce.”

He looks up and stops stirring.

“It’s really, really funky. Usually risotto is made with Parmesan, but we’ll use cotija, because I’m a nonconformist,” he laughs.

When the risotto is finally finished, Chef Mo plates it in a tapas-sized cast iron dish. He mixes in cold butter, then tops it with more cotija and meaty chunks of lobster. And it delivers. The risotto is creamy with the right amount of bite, all the flavors come through in full force, and the plate takes a turn with spice that reveals itself only moments after the first mouthful. Chef Mo takes a bite, claps his hands and dubs the dish The Angry Lobster Risotto. “I’m going to tell you something. It’s all about transmitting the love to the food,”

he says as he puts his hands on his heart and then over the plate. “With each stir, I envision people eating and,” he smiles, “losing their f***ing minds.”

Chef Mo is a classically trained chef who joined Taco Daddy in May as partner and head chef. Now, Morgan and John Nealon, Chef Mo, and the rest of the restaurant group is onto their second undertaking, The Lila Rose.

The Lila Rose resides near Taco Daddy in the Harbor Point area of Stamford. The concept, developed by Morgan Nealon, is small plates that breaks away from traditional Spanish-style tapas. The idea is to get back to how people eat with their families and friends: “Just a bunch of delicious food on a table that you share with everyone.”

That said, you won’t find traditional dishes.

“We don’t want our menu to be full of things you can easily eat at home,” Morgan says.

“Classics are classics for a reason, but the idea behind The Lila Rose is to elevate and add an element of surprise to those dishes.” Think grits, pastas, croquettes, empanadas—all done nontraditionally, but with the touch of Chef Mo’s classical training.

As for cocktails, David Cohade, partner and bar manager, is running the program.

While the cocktail program at Taco Daddy,

which David helps run, is whimsical and approachable, The Lila Rose menu is a bit more classic. Take, for example, the Gina & Georgina, a booze-forward cocktail mixed with thyme vermouth and bitters. “The idea is to make the drinks sensory-heavy,” says David. “We don’t want you to have a drink and say, ‘That’s sweet’. We want to hit all the palate notes so nothing is one-dimensional.”

David concocts, tests, changes and perfects every cocktail with meticulous detail, and Morgan and John name them. The duo comes up with a bunch of clever cocktail names related to their life, and once the cocktail list is finalized, they plug them where they fit.

“If I called it a Basil Daiquiri, no one would order it,” says John, “but if I called it Call Her Daddy, everyone wants to.”

The dining room is also unique. The floor is a whimsical geometric pattern of pastel pinks and blues, the tableware and décor drip in gold and the seating is lush pink velvet. It’s a dining room you’d expect to see in New York City.

“People are scared to get super creative with their dining rooms,” says John. “You should take your service, food, and drink seriously so there’s no reason why your dining room shouldn’t be as cool. Vibe is a real thing,” he says, “and it’s a throwaway at most restaurants.”

Classics are classics for a reason, but the idea behind The Lila Rose is to elevate and add an element of surprise to those dishes.

MORGAN NEALON, CO-OWNER

newcanaandarienmag.com

34

PHOTOGRAPHY: INTERIORS BY RAENAH FARINA; FOOD COURTESY TACODADDYS INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

by georget te yac oub

above: The pink and gold decor sets the stage for a fun, playful place for food, drinks and friends

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

35

eat N E W R E S TA U R A N T

BILL TAIBE

Food touring Mexico City inspired his new restaurant Don Memo

right: Owner/chef Bill Taibe

by georget te yac oub

D

top: Don Memo’s contemporary take on enchiladas middle: quesadilla bottom: Executive Chef Anthony Kostelis

uring the pandemic, most restaurants struggled, others thrived, and one pivoted its whole concept for something new. That restaurant —once referred to as Jesup Hall —is now Don Memo. “I was so dead bored of it,” says Bill Taibe, chef and owner of the former Jesup Hall. “It was American tavern food and I worked really hard to get it where we wanted it, so once I felt like we were there, I was kind of done with it.”

Taibe made the decision on Mother’s Day. He was in the restaurant, yelling because the mint was bruised as employees hustled to get the takeout orders to curbside. In the middle of that brunch, Taibe pulled the plug.

“I can’t do this American shit anymore,” he says. “I had done that type of food for so long.

I was done with it. I needed to do something different.”

That day, in the middle of the shift, Taibe told everyone they were shutting down and that he didn’t know what was next.

newcanaandarienmag.com

36

Art of Food

Bill Taibe revealed his love of food in Mexico City through photos he posted to Instagram @billtaibe 1

2

3

4

1 Tacos al Pastor in Mexico City 2 Taquerîa El Greco in Mexico City 3 La Clandestina Mezcaleria. Mexico City 4 Taquerîa El Greco

PHOTOGRAPHY: TAIBE AND KOSTELIS BY GARVIN BURKE; FOOD INSET FROM IG @DONMEMOWESTPORT; MEXICO CITY FROM IG @BILLTAIBE

He went home, talked to his wife, and decided it was Mexican street food, elevated. This wasn’t random. Five years ago, Taibe took a trip to Mexico with a group of friends. He went to Oaxaca and Puebla to visit the family of Memo Garcia, whose sons worked with Taibe for seventeen years at his restaurants (and ultimately how the name ‘Don Memo’ was inspired).

After that trip, he went back to Mexico City handful of times, falling in love with the freshness of the ingredients and the perfect matching and balancing of flavors. So, it made sense that he eventually brought it back home.

“When you build a restaurant, which I’ve done for many years” —for those who don’t know, Taibe is the also the chef/owner of Westport powerhouses, The Whelk and Kawa Ni—“it’s hard to build a menu and really hit it,” he says.

“We might have done that here.”

Fan favorites include the potato tostada, the lamb barbacoa (personal favorite), and the green chorizo quesadilla.

Taibe’s favorite drink is the Paloma—just four ingredients that are perfectly matched and balanced. The menu was created to be as authentic as possible so that “people get a taste of what I love so much about Mexico,” he says.

When asked about what it was like to open a new restaurant in the middle of a global pandemic, he said, “The pandemic for me was one of the most interesting times of my life, trying to figure out how to get my restaurants through this.

The world had stopped and there was this awkward beauty about it.

No one was out. My team are true professionals and all we wanted to do was make sure we kept a bit of normalcy in town,” Taibe says.

“As the world shut down, the food made everything feel okay.”

UPCOMING LIVESTREAM VIRTUAL EVENTS

WEDNESday Nov. 18, 2020 8 p.m.

The 23rd Annual Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecture in affiliation with the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies

From the Flint Water Crisis to Championing Global Policies for Children’s Health Dr. Hanna-Attisha was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for her role in uncovering the Flint Water Crisis and leading recovery efforts.

Mona Hanna-Attisha, M.D. A Membership that Matters

The Quick celebrates our 30th Anniversary with over 50 programs representing 40 artists and speakers generated through 10 collaborations across our campus and community. Membership secures free access to all events.

THURSday FRIday Nov. 12, 2020 Nov. 13, 2020 5 p.m. 7 p.m.

gina kolata

ANN hampton callaway

COVID-19 Vaccination: How and When will the U.S. get it?

A discussion of the state of the CoronaVirus Vaccination

DIVA POWER

presented in affiliation with the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies

A science and medicine reporter with The New York Times and author of Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus That Caused It.

A soaring celebration of the legendary ladies who helped shape the soundtrack of our lives: Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Anita O’Day, Edith Piaf, Etta James, Carole King and Joni Mitchell.

where creativity and culture come to life

203.254.4010

QuickCenter.com

50 YEARS OF WOMEN

AT FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

12 th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival NOVEMBER 27–DECEMBER 22 Hosted by

SAM BRIDGE NURSERY & GREENHOUSES

437 North Street, Greenwich Monday–Saturday; 8:30am–5pm

Virtual Greenwich Holiday Stroll DECEMBER 1–24 Featuring

OVER 100 MERCHANTS THROUGHOUT

Greenwich, Village of Old Greenwich, Byram, Glenville, Cos Cob, Riverside

Reindeer Festival Hosted By

Reindeer Stable Sponsor

Reindeer Sponsor

Premier Media Sponsors

Media Sponsors

Virtual Holiday Entertainment Sponsor

NURSERY & GREENHOUSES, LLC EST. 1930

Created and Produced By

Community Sponsor

#GreenwichReindeerFestival #VirtualGreenwichHolidayStroll

G r e e n w i c h r e i n d e e r F e s t i va l . c o m

The Official Top Doctor Directory: Empowering Patients to Choose with Confidence

Castle Connolly, the trusted source of Top Doctors for over 25 years, is the proud partner and provider for New Canaan - Darien Magazine’s Top Doctors List

newcanaandarienmag.com

38

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE www.castleconnolly.com

to access our full Castle Connolly Top Doctors database of the nation’s most outstanding physicians

Been in a WRECK? Connect with us FIRST!

Fedor Auto Body is among the 10% of elite collision repair businesses to achieve the esteemed Gold Class status.

As a family owned and operated business celebrating 65 years of serving the community, we are honored to be voted “The Best” Auto Repair Shop.

Fedor is proud to be recognized for our outstanding service, as well as the industry leader for seamlessly handling all claims from start-to-finish.

32 WOODWARD AVENUE, NORWALK, CT 203.838.2443

Fedorautobody.com

FEDOR_NOV 2020_10.6_R4.indd 1

10/7/20 1:15 PM

No Insurance, No Problem

Ahead of the curve, Dr. Harbottle now offers an affordable concierge program direct to patients.

PLAN FOR THE YEAR, AND LET US HANDLE THE REST DENTAL SERVICES OFFERED IN NEW CANAAN INCLUDE:

• GENERAL DENTISTRY •

oral hygiene (preventative care) • periodontal screening & treatment • mercury free tooth colored fillings • porcelain & gold onlays, crowns and bridges • dental implants • treatment for bruxism & tooth grinding • root canals • intraoral camera • x-rays

• DENTAL COSMETICS •

porcelain dental veneers, porcelain onlays, crowns & bridges • dental bondings

Zoom™ teeth whitening • Invisalign

PAUL D. HARBOTTLE, D.D.S.

VOTED TOP DENTIST BY HIS PEERS

2009-2018

Westchester and Fairfield Counties

162 East Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840 | 203.972.0588 newcanaandentistry.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

39

awards

Celebrating was a virtual success!

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR 2020 SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSORS

EXCLUSIVE AWARD SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE GIFT BAG SPONSOR

John’s Island It’s your lifetime. Spend it wisely.

The Westy Experience…

“If I were going to create a storage facility, this is exactly how I would do it. The staff is amazingly accommodating. The facility is always clean, super safe and the temperature is always just right.”

— HR, Darien

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!

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

ROUNDABOUT

Nov Ad for NC/Darien Magazine 5OCT20

COUTURE

777 Sea Oak Drive #732 : $545,000 2BR/2BA : Updated : New Amenities

NEW + RESALE

271 Indian Harbor Road : $4,200,000 New Construction Home : 4BR/4.5BA

Since 1989 772. 231.090 0

VisitJohns Island.com

Greenwich, Westport New York City

Exclusively John’s Island

roundaboutcouture.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

41

Make Your

Destination

The greatness of a school is its teachers The moment of great learning belongs to the child—but it begins with a teacher.

Serving children ages 3 to 8 Stamford, CT / 203.329.8815 / www.childrensschool.org

TCS_ad_5x4.5_color_#9.indd 1

10/1/20 4:38 PM

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

Enjoy Darien’s Unique, Lively Shops & Restaurants!

Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

International Estate and Tax Planning

Philanthropic Giving

Business Succession Planning

Probate and Estate Administration

Corporate and Finance

Wealth Protection Planning

Litigation and Arbitration

Fiduciary and Trustee Services

Commercial and Residential Real Estate

www.cl-law.com

For information on local businesses and chamber events visit

www.darienctchamber.com

STAMFORD

|

GREENWICH

|

WEST HARTFORD

newcanaandarienmag.com

42

| NAPLES

| BONITA SPRINGS | PALM BEACH GARDENS

TRUSTS AND ESTATES

Is not just something we do; it is what we do.

WILLS AND TRUSTS WEALTH TRANSFER TAX PLANNING PHILANTHROPY DAVIDSON, DAWSON & CLARK LLP COUNSELLORS AT LAW 60 East 42nd Street New York, NY 212-557-7700

18 Locust Avenue, 2nd Floor New Canaan, CT 203-966-8759

www.davidsondawson.com

When crisis strikes, pets like Benji feel it too.

Your gift is matched for a limited time.

Accepting gifts of cash, shares of stock and from donor-advised funds Westport Newington Waterford Fox Memorial Clinic CThumane.org NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

43

Your Neighborhood Self Storage Partner We invite you to visit our state of the art storage facility, with amenities to meet your every need— thirty different size units, boat,RV, motorcycle parking, commuter parking and conveniently located next to Noroton Heights train stations and I-95. With a professional and friendly management team, we are always ready to exceed your expectations!

Visit us at Hollowtreestorage.com 203.655.2018 131 Hollow Tree Ridge Road Darien, CT 06820

A Birthday Bash brings this town’s history to life

by e li z a bet h h ole

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

45

EST.

1820

DARIEN

200 at

THE EARLY DAYS...

efore Darien became an official town in 1820, it was part of Stamford.

The area was referred to as Middlesex Parish starting in 1737, although farming families had settled here earlier. Simple roads were carved in the wooded terrain, and by 1703, a school district was created in Noroton. Homes popped up by Gorham’s Pond, close to the site of Richard Scofield and Thomas Youngs’ gristmill. Scofield’s Mill became Clock’s Mill and Landing and later Gorham’s Mill. By the early 1800s, the name Ring’s End was adopted. Today, Ring’s End Bridge is on the site of a once bustling business center and harbor, where boats arrived from New York and small stores carried household wares and items like candles, spices and coffee.

Darien was almost named “Bellville” in honor of state assemblyman Thaddeus Bell. Bell had long petitioned for the town’s independence until the act was finally passed in 1820, and the town was incorporated. Why did Bell choose “Darien” for the name? The reason is a mystery, but many possibilities remain.

Historian and author Kenneth M. Reiss explores those theories in Darien 1820 – New Town, New Times, which was published for the Bicentennial. In the book, Reiss writes how South American freedom fighters “decisively thrashed the army of Spain, ensuring the independence of Colombia and its northernmost district of the Isthmus of Darien.”

What’s his top theory? Reiss believes it was “The old Revolutionary's tribute to a newly independent nation.”

“Thaddeus Bell was no dope…naming his new town was, for him, not a matter of finding something cute or poetic or personal…it was not a casual choice,” says Reiss. “It was a tribute to peoples everywhere who had fought and bled and won their freedom…and the current

example he chose, Darien, had a much finer tone to it than other newly-freed places, like Mexico and Peru and Greece (all of which had American towns named for them).”

In his book, Reiss sums up the parallel: “Darien, of the romantic name and the poignant past, soon would be free. At last, Darien would be independent from ancient Spain. And from Stamford, Connecticut.”

Margaret McIntire, executive director for the Museum of Darien, is partial to Reiss’ theory involving the John Keats poem “On First Looking Into Chapman’s Homer,” which ends with: “Silent, upon a peak in Darien.” “That’s the theory filled with adventure, discovery and poetry,” says McIntire. “Even if it may contain a bit of the apocryphal, it’s still my favorite!”

Another book was released in conjunction with Darien’s milestone. Karen Polett, who recently retired from Darien’s Monuments and Ceremonies Commission after 28 years, authored Monuments and Memorials of Darien, Connecticut. Polett’s book covers everything from cemetery statues and historical plaques to the 9/11 Monument newcanaandarienmag.com

46

spearheaded by a local Boy Scout.

To honor an important monument, the Museum of Darien has embarked on a project to study the Pond-Weed House, also known as “The House under the Hill.”

The 1730’s structure—near the corner of Hollow Tree Ridge and Boston Roads— is one of the oldest homes in town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is working with Dr. James Sexton, an esteemed historical architect, to examine the home and add to the town’s story.

After the addition of a new-and-improved Turnpike Road in 1807, which is now the Post Road, Darien’s biggest growth factor was the railroad. The New Haven Railroad rolled through town in 1848, and the boom began.

Once the area was accessible, wealthy New Yorkers started building beachside summer homes. Soon, the town center moved from the docks and closer to the train. After World War II, families sought out suburban areas. People seeking a little more space, and perhaps a yard, settled in Darien and set the tone for the modern-day commuter.

New Haven Railroad began servicing Darien in 1848, a game changer for commuters to New York City.

Passengers leave a NHRR train in Darien in July 1947.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

47

EST.

1820

DARIEN

200

A snapshot of Darien’s bustling Post Road business district in the 1950s.

DID YOU KNOW

Darien’s history in a nutshell.

In 1778

There was a Tory raid at the First Congregational Church on July 22, 1781.

The minister, Dr. Moses Mather, was captured for his revolutionary sentiments. Mather and some of his parishioners were taken to a British prison located in New York City. After five months, Mather and the other men returned home safely.

a home was built as a “safe house” away from British soldiers…

The Mather Homestead,

located at 19 Stephen Mather Road Oldest House in Darien

Pond-Weed House Darien become an official town on…

June 12, 1820

(It was initially named

Middlesex Parish)

Darien’s leading industry in 1820 was… Farming.

Other key tradesmen included shoemakers, millers, tanners and traders who bought and sold goods.

Dating back to the 1730s, this historic home was once a tavern and blacksmith shop. The structure still stands near the corner of Boston Post and Hollow Tree Ridge Roads.

The Pond-Weed House was built in the 1730s.

The founder of Darien was…

Thaddeus Bell, Jr. a state assembly man who served in the Revolutionary War

newcanaandarienmag.com

48

Throughout the years, many luminaries have called Darien home.

Andrew Carnegie spent summers in town, while actor Christopher Plummer owned a waterfront estate. Aviator Charles Lindbergh and his wife, writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh, raised their family in Darien.

Photographer Margaret Bourke-White was a longtime resident until her death in 1971.

More modern notables include: Chloe Sevigny, Gus Van Sant, Moby, Kate Bosworth and Topher Grace. But the most historical celebrity sighting? George Washington. According to a historical marker on Goodwives River Road commemorating Washington’s March to Fairfield, the Nation’s first President passed through Darien three times.

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER , COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION; TOPHER GRACE ©UNIVERSAL/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION

SEEING STARS

at

SIGNS OF RESPECT

Although most streets weren’t given official names until the 1920s, Darien looked to its past for inspiration. Next time you drive around town, look for landmarks and streets named after some of Darien’s earliest residents: the corner of Brookside and Stephen Mather Roads—was built by his great-grandfather Deacon Joseph Mather in 1778.

Richard Scofield (1649 -1745)

CONTRIBUTED

Benjamin Fitch with his grand nephew Augustus B. Fitch, circa 1860

Benjamin Fitch (1802-1883)

children who became orphans during the war.

A philanthropist and one of the country’s first millionaires, Benjamin Fitch started the Fitch Home for Soldiers in Noroton Heights.

The facility, which was dedicted in 1864, served Civil War veterans and

Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930)

Along with Thomas Youngs, Richard Scofield built a dam and gristmill in 1708.

This trade hub became Darien’s first business center. Scofield gave the mill to son-in-law, John Clock, and the area was

became known as Gorham’s Mill. It was later named Ring’s End.

George Dudley Tilley (1881-1946) Raised on a 16-acre farm in Darien, George Tilley transformed his boyhood estate into The Tilley Bird Farm.

He raised and sold thousands of birds like

called Clock’s Landing.

This well-known resident served as first director of the National Park Service. His house—the Mather Homestead at

George Gorham (1697-1772) In 1740, merchant and sea captain George Gorham acquired Darien’s mill and it

Weed Beach

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

49

canaries, ostriches and a variety of exotic breeds.

Joseph Weed (1801-1888) Born in a house on Nearwater Lane, Joseph Weed wrote about life on the family farm. The home, which was built

by Joseph’s grandfather Nathan in 1750, is still in existence.

EST.

1820

DARIEN

200 at

A look at changing Darien landmarks through the years

APPROACHING 100 YEARS

2. PALMER’S MARKET //

ROADSIDE NOSTALGIA

HOWARD JOHNSON’S THEN, CONTRIBUTED; WHOLE FOODS NOW BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA: PALMER’S MARKET THEN COURTESY OF PALMER’S’; PALMER’S MARKET NOW BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA; PROSPECT AVENUE THEN COURTESY MUSEUM OF DARIEN, PROSPECT AVENUE NOW BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA

THEN & NOW opened in 1921

Palmer’s started in Darien as a small butcher shop in 1921. The beloved store is still a family-run operation, but it has grown into a full-service market, bakery and catering business. It all started with Rocco Palmierie, a meat butcher from Italy who immigrated to the U.S. in 1902 and eventually changed his name to Palmer. After starting a butcher shop in the Bronx, he sold it and focused on Connecticut. In 1921, Rocco opened Palmer’s Meat Market in the area once called “Noroton Green in the Heights.”

now

1. HOWARD JOHNSON’S

//

opened in 1962

For over 40 years, Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge and Restaurant occupied the current site of Whole Foods. HoJo’s was a convenient stop for highway travelers. The restaurant closed in 2000, but the hotel was in operation until 2008.

now now FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD

3. PROSPECT AVENUE // established in 1865

Taken in 1898, the photo above offers an early view of Prospect Avenue from Brookside Road.

Prospect Avenue was developed by Melville Mead. Considered Darien’s first real estate developer, Mead purchased eight acres in 1865 and created lots to make the town’s first subdivision. newcanaandarienmag.com

50

CELEBRATING 126 YEARS

6. DARIEN LIBRARY

//

opened in 1894

Founded in 1894, the Darien Library was in five different locations until 2009, when the modern-day building was finished. The awardwinning library — now at 1441 Post Road — boasts more than 350,000 visits per year.

Taken in 1890, this image depicts Gorham’s Gristmill and some general stores.

1894-1908 805 POST ROAD

1908-1914 878 POST ROAD

now THE ORIGINAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

4. RING’S END BRIDGE // built in 1930

1914-1931

RING’S END BRIDGE THEN, COURTESY MUSEUM OF DARIEN; RING’S END BRIDGE NOW BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA GARDEN GATE THEN, COURTESY MUSEUM OF DARIEN, GARDEN GATE NOW BY PLANOMATIC; DARIEN LIBRARY THEN COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY, DARIEN LIBRARY NOW BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA

This well-known bridge is on the site of a once bustling business district. Author Kenneth M. Reiss describes the town center in his book, The Story of Darien Connecticut: “The landing was the hub of local news and gossip, and the returning sloops brought with them the news from New York and around the world.”

236 POST ROAD

1931-1957 1094 POST ROAD

MAJESTIC VICTORIAN

5.

GARDEN GATE

//

1957-2008 35 LEROY AVE

built in 1856

An example of Victorian Gothic architecture, Garden Gate is a restored mansion located at 2265 Post Road in Darien. The original owner, Frederick W. Bruggerhof, ran a company that grew and sold seeds.

Bruggerhof put his experience to work by planting beautiful gardens on the estate.

now

now NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

51

EST.

1820

DARIEN

200 at

FASHION CLASSIC

Costume Expert retires after 50 years as curator

A

former fashion illustrator for Women’s Wear Daily, BABS WHITE joined the Darien Historical Society, now called the Museum of Darien, in the late 1960s.

The 95-year-old fashion doyenne, who is retiring after 50 years, curated the museum’s costume exhibitions and is credited with developing one of the region’s finest collections. She secured more than 3,000 items during her time there, showcasing antique dresses, shoes and accessories. The oldest dress is a silk floral print design from 1740 with matching fabric-covered shoes.

White’s recent exhibitions included everything from Gilded Age finery (her favorite fashion period) and Jazz Age flapper dresses to period bridal gowns and 20th Century haute couture. “It’s been a lot of fun,” says White. “The collection has been the focus of my life.”

White, who was an Art History major at Smith College, was hired by Women’s Wear Daily shortly after graduating in 1946. She studied each collection and sketched them with meticulous detail.

“We would get a shipment from Paris, and I would run down and get a quick

White showcased this flapper dress for “Stepping Out in the Jazz Age.”

newcanaandarienmag.com

52

sketch and then finish it off back at the office,” says White. While working in Manhattan, she recalls stopping by showrooms to do sketches for Ralph Lauren and other designers. “If you admired the garment, they would often let you buy it wholesale.”

To celebrate White’s half century of service, the Museum of Darien will rename the Costume Collection in her honor. Robert J. Pascal, Jr., president of the Museum’s board of directors, says that a ceremony for the beloved curator is in the works and should be announced soon.

“Babs White has been a guiding light of this Museum. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of history and an unrivaled fashion expertise,” says Pascal. “The Museum—the entire town—owes Babs a debt of gratitude because, while at the helm, the Museum has amassed a Costume Collection that is recognized as one of the finest in New England.”

To view the costume collections curated by Babs White, visit darienhistoricdress.org.

BABS WHITE, COSTUME EXHIBITS COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF DARIEN

For “The Ladies of Prospect Avenue” exhibit, White curated dresses from 1867-1900.

1870s-1900s

HOW THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION CREATED THE GILDED AGE With the Gilded Age came captains of industry, lavish parties and opulent dresses that fit the part. White curated historic gowns that twirled at costume balls from Manhattan to Newport. She also showed some sportier looks meant for spending summers by the sea.

1920-1929

STEPPING OUT IN THE JAZZ AGE For this exhibit, White focused on the Flapper girl and everything she represented during the Jazz Age. The fashion of the times reflected the desire for something new and fun after World War I was over. The dresses had a signature low waist, bare arm and longer hem, finished off with a single strand of pearls—perfect for dancing “The Charleston.”

According to the exhibit summary, the flappers “cropped their hair, rouged their lips and danced with reckless abandon as if there was no tomorrow.”

20TH CENTURY

MANNEQUINS ON THE RUNWAY, HAUTE COUTURE AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGNS Ready for the runway, this exhibit focused on five decades of designer looks from World War II through the 1990s. White set up the display as if the mannequins were about to strut in a fashion show. From Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent to Bill Blass and Carolina Herrera, the readyto-wear styles tell a colorful story.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

53

EST.

1820

DARIEN

200 at

BICENTENNIAL EVENTS 2021 HERITAGE DAY CELEBRATION & REENACTMENT

May 15

W

Darien, locals can learn even more about town history. Executive Director Margaret McIntire enjoys students’ reactions on field trips.

“Children’s eyes widen as they learn about the chores they would be expected to perform in the 1700s,” says McIntire. “Their jaws drop when they hear they would have to stand during dinner and not be permitted to sit at the table, or even to speak. This tends to be the parents’ favorite part!”

Adds McIntire, “At the Museum of Darien, we have thousands of artifacts that tell the story of Darien: a rough-hewn 1690s blanket chest that illustrates the hardships faced by our earliest settlers; a local Patriot’s carefully bound edition of Common Sense; elegant Victorian ball gowns worn here as the town’s identity was shifting from farming community to wealthy coastal enclave; and World War I propaganda posters and artwork designed by artists who would become major players in the Mad Men era.”

Visitors are invited to the museum’s Bicentennial exhibit— Darien 1820—where they can see town history come to life.

hile 2020 hasn’t been the year any of us expected, there’s still a pretty major reason to celebrate — Darien is 200 years old. And, in 2021, the party is still on.

The Bicentennial bash commenced on January 10 at Town Hall. Guests were treated to a slideshow, live music and a keynote address by Darien resident and veteran journalist, Scott Pelley. Darien High School’s Tudor Singers and Scout BSA Troop 53 participated in the opening ceremony, and a commemorative logo was unveiled.

Then the pandemic set in, and residents got an ironic taste of what settlers probably feared when facing a disease with no cure or vaccine. Or in the case of Darien circa 1820, no penicillin. The positive outcome, according to event organizers, is a “reimagined tribute that will keep the town celebrating deep into 2021.”

YOU’RE INVITED

“W

e are extremely excited about the planned celebrations, so canceling or significantly downsizing the events due to the pandemic was not an option,” says Al Miller, Chairman of the 2020/2021 Bicentennial Committee. “We cannot wait to join the rest of the town in 2021 for our 2020 One More Time events.”

The Museum of Darien, formerly called Darien Historical Society, is working with the committee to commemorate the milestone.

The next event is a Heritage Day Celebration and Reenactment on May 15, 2021, featuring a staged reenactment of Tory raids.

Revelries continue at Weed Beach Fest’s Bicentennial Bash on June 5.

An Anniversary Day Ceremony on June 12 will observe the founding of Darien by Thaddeus Bell, Jr. Thanks to the Museum of

Whaleboat Middlesex has been restored with a grant from The Darien Foundation.

Colonial crafts and games featuring The Fifth Connecticut Regiment

WEED BEACH FEST’S BICENTENNIAL BASH

June 5

Weed Beach Crafts and games for kids, live music, food and fun for the whole family

ANNIVERSARY DAY CEREMONY

June 12

Slawson Cemetery, Hanson Road

A special ceremony to honor Thaddeus Bell, the man who championed the town’s independence, and to mark the day Darien officially became a town.

THE DARIEN HERITAGE TRAIL Historical sites around Darien will be linked by interpretive markers.

Sites under consideration include: Bates-Scofield Home, Battle of Post Road, The Mather Homestead, Tilley Pond Park, Ring’s End Landing, Noroton River Graveyard, Evolution of Downtown Darien and History of the Post Road.

All events are free and open to the public. For more details about events and exhibits, visit darienct.gov/2020 and museumofdarien.org.

newcanaandarienmag.com

54

WHALEBOAT MIDDLESEX COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF DARIEN

For the Nation’s Bicentennial, Darien launched the Whaleboat Middlesex in 1976 to honor the Revolution-era Whaleboat Men.

Museum of Darien, The Mather Homestead

EST.

1820

DARIEN

200 at

MOVING FORWARD NEW TOWN LOGO

TOWN RENDERING COURTESY OF THE CORBIN DISTRICT

Three seniors from Darien High School’s class of 2020 designed the official Bicentennial Logo.

Students Charlie Callery, Will Henry Harmon and Kelly Niederreither collaborated on the creation, which is featured on town correspondence and Bicentennial merchandise. Sarah Lexow Keena, the 2020 Bicentennial Committee’s youth liaison who organized the project, raves about the “super talented kids” behind the design.

Darien continues to grow, and as it does, the town center shifts focus. Before Grove Street Plaza became a downtown destination in 2003, it was an underused space.

Penny Glassmeyer, founder of PG Properties and a Darien resident since 1968, saw its potential.

“I wanted to clean up the area that is now Grove Street Plaza, which featured three dilapidated homes and an old repair shop,” says Glassmeyer. “Grove Street Plaza has changed Darien in that it has given the community a place to gather and spend time together—a downtown.”

Building on the plaza’s success, Glassmeyer and business partner David Genovese are reimagining a new town square with a more walkable area. The Corbin District, Genovese says, will “transform downtown Darien and make it an even better place to live, work, dine, shop or just spend time with family and friends.”

“Darien has long been a desirable place to live,” says Genovese, founder of Baywater Properties and a lifelong resident.

“We believe that the improvements to our downtown district, together with what Federal Realty and the Palmer Family are doing in Noroton Heights, will only increase the attractiveness of Darien as a place to raise a family or to live, work or visit.”

As much as Darien continues to evolve, the town’s heritage as a close-knit, seaside farming village will always remain. During her speech at the Bicentennial ceremony, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson reflected on a common “thread that runs through the tapestry” of local history.

“A thread of resilient, independent and can-do spirit is centered around the love of family and community,” says Stevenson.

“It is this spirit that remains our guiding principle today and is the foundation for Darien’s successful future.”

[THE STUDENTS] WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT WAS PURELY DARIEN. THEIR DESIGN IS SOMETHING THAT WILL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR TOWN HISTORY.

- SARAH LEXOW KEENA, BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE YOUTH LIAISON

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

55

H O L I DAY

by m a l ia mc k i n non f r a me • ph ot o g r a ph y by ja n e b e i le s

SIX LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNERS REVEAL HIGHLIGHTS

FROM SOME OF THEIR FAVORITE FESTIVE HOMES

S

taying home for the holidays is what it’s all about this year. So, why not deck our halls like never before? Here, we asked the six designers who worked to decorate last year’s Newcomers Club of New Canaan Holiday House Tour homes for all the details on how to create a stunning festive scene. From getting crafty to setting an elegant table, we hope this glimpse into these homes will inspire your own scenes for beautiful holiday memories.

newcanaandarienmag.com

56

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

57

An extra-long formal dining table designed by Carey Karlan is dressed with tableware from The Linen Shop and accented with dramatic tree branches in clear vases.

In the kitchen, Karlan used greenery accented with citrus for a festive but casual feel.

Carey Karlan

LAST DETAIL INTERIOR DESIGN

newcanaandarienmag.com

58

Shiny & Bright

Splurging on nice ribbon is effective and suggests quality and elegance.”

C

arey Karlan, owner of Last Detail Design, explains that when decking the halls of this grand home that’s traditional on the outside but contemporary inside, her challenge was how to make an impact in such a big space.

The designer and her team used most of their budget on a giant 15-foot tree in the foyer from Pound Ridge Nursery. They strung tons of white lights and sourced inexpensive round glass ornaments, tying them together in groups of three to make a statement. Huge stars in mixed metallic hues were tucked in among the ornaments, which reflected the gold and silver tones in the room’s wrought iron staircase. For a tree skirt, Karlan purchased three different colors of netting from a craft store, braided it, then nestled it around the base of the tree. Her team wrapped presents in simple white paper tied with satin ribbon in hues of silver, gold and brown. “It’s easy to find inexpensive wrapping paper but splurging on nice ribbon is effective and suggests quality and elegance,” she says.

To the left of the tree—front and center in the foyer—she set up a bar vignette on a round table covered with a luxe damask silk fabric. A statuesque ceramic stag head was the focal point of this space, and vodka chilled in a pretty ice block surrounded by votives and floral containers of different heights filled with paperwhites. “I was suggesting a festive moment at a big party where guests would want to pick up a glass of champagne and go mingle,” she says.

The dining room table was immensely long, so Karlan filled three glass containers with inexpensive large faux quince branches to add height. The branches were anchored with bunches of gold beaded garland at the base, and small gold and silver ornaments of various sizes hung from the tall stems. A nearby console table housed several 24-inch sparkly green and white paper cone-shaped trees. “I needed at least eight to make a statement, so make sure you have enough of an item when you group things together,” she recommends. In the kitchen where it was more casual, Karlan laid one big oversized bunch of greenery down the center of the table and tucked in fresh clementines for a festive effect.

KARLAN’S 411 ON HOLIDAY DECORATING DECORATE to ABOVE In the foyer, Karlan

created a bar setup with a ceramic stag head as the centerpiece. BELOW A massive tree welcomed guests in the foyer.

complement what you have. Go with your existing color palette and decorate within the style of your home, whether it be traditional or modern.

STRATEGIZE the best bang for your buck. For this home, it was all about making a statement in the grand foyer with the tree and bar.

SET UP small “scenes” throughout your space. “You want little stories happening in different places in your home for visual interest,” says Karlan.

GO BIG in an understated space. Karlan used overscaled, foot-long silver and glitter pine cones in the study, and large faux quince branches in the dining room to create that wow factor.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

59

Star Quality

T

his is a special house for a special family,” explains Kate Ferguson, principal of Palomino Bazaar who worked on the home along with business partner Joanne O’Neil. The home was designed for a child with disabilities whose mother is on the board of STAR, Inc., an organization that serves individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities in Fairfield County. “Several grants written by STAR, Inc. were funded from the Holiday House Tour ticket sales and sponsorships for this special house,” says Ferguson.

The house is spacious to accommodate a wheelchair and, with four kids in this family, Ferguson and O’Neil wanted to keep their design playful and fresh. “My best holiday decorating advice is to mix older items you already own with special handmade or bespoke pieces,

Mix older items you already own with special handmade or bespoke pieces.”

A fresh holiday table setting mixing vintage Tiffany china with new pieces.

as well as newer items that will become family heirlooms over time,” she says.

Ferguson and O’Neil brought in shades of pinks and purples—unexpected for the holidays—and integrated star motifs throughout the home as an homage to the beloved nonprofit.

Because of allergies, Ferguson and O’Neil sourced a faux tree from Balsam Hill and loaded it with metallic globes in hues of silvers, pinks and blues. “We layered in ribbon, star ornaments and metal star wreaths lit with fairy lights to fill in as much space as possible,” she says. The designers wrapped presents under the tree with a mix of affordable wrap and hand printed paper from Japan.

Ferguson loves sourcing ornaments at inexpensive craft and home stores, but also prefers a handmade element. She explains, “Many of the ornaments on our tree were hand-painted by students of the New Canaan Community Preschool, which was so special.”

For the table, vintage Tiffany plates printed with birds were placed atop new raspberry chargers and gold mesh placemats from The Whitney Shop. Teal and vintage purple water goblets

by Carla Moretti blended with the navy dining chairs and the special rug, which is a traditional antique pattern reworked with overdye and bleaching for a modern, impactful look.

Vintage bamboo flatware and embroidered bird napkins speak to the Asian art collection in the home.

Kate Ferguson & Joanne O’Neil PRINCIPALS OF PALOMINO BAZAAR

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

61

Ferguson and O’Neil braided together several types of greenery including boxwood, cedar, juniper and princess pine to make one luscious, bold strand for a dramatic banister.

Lora Gray OWNER OF GRAY INTERIORS

Treats in the kitchen were made by students from New Canaan High school.

It was so fun to stray from the traditional red and green that’s typical at Christmastime.”

A magical tree in the living room brought the home’s Nutcracker theme to life.

Winter Wonderland

T

he decor for this house, dubbed “A Season on Pointe” by the House Tour Committee, was inspired by the Nutcracker ballet.

Designer Lora Gray conceptualized and executed the décor along with Emily Candee and Gillian Ozkaplan, who provided floral arrangements, and Sonia Del Monaco, from SDL Designs, who provided the greenery. “The homeowners’ two daughters were performing in NEAD’s version of the ballet the week of the Home Tour, which made decorating for the theme so much fun,” says Gray.

Since the existing palette was mostly blue and white, Gray stuck to those tones, adding some silvers and greens as well as pops of pinks and pastels. “It was so fun to stray from the traditional red and green that’s typical at Christmas time,” she says.

Gray and her team recreated many of the beloved ballet themes in several rooms. In the living room, a winter palette of icy blues and snowy whites proved to be the perfect pairing to evoke the snow scene. The tree was decorated in silver, white and light blue ornaments mixed with tons of white lights, and “we topped the mantle with natural greens and white lights and mixed in some blue trees for an added pop of color,” she explains.

A more pastel floral palette was used in the family room to recreate “The Waltz of the Flowers.” The mantel’s garland was a mixture of faux silk and paper flowers with pastel-colored bulbs wrapped with pale pink ribbon. The pink in the garland lent a feminine feel, and Gray wrapped pink tulle tutus around the base of a giant tree topped with a pair of ballet slippers.

A MAGICAL MANTEL The tree was flocked to evoke “The Land of Snow,” and was lit with white lights, and blue silk and tissue flowers throughout, as if one was in an enchanted forest. The coup de grace was “The Land of Sweets” in the kitchen, where three big wreaths studded with cake and candy-themed ornaments hung in large windows. “One easy, fun thing I like to do for the holidays is to take a fresh wreath, add a pretty satin turquoise ribbon and fill in the wreath with fun, whimsical ornaments,” says Gray. The kitchen island beheld a whimsical display of apothecary jars filled with candy, as well as specialty cakes and cookies baked by students at New Canaan High School. “It’s every child’s dream to walk into a land of sweets, and this family hosted the Nutcracker cast-member party and all the ballerinas got to enjoy the treats,” she says.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

63

SKIP THE CLASSIC FRASER AND PINE Choose a robust bed of eucalyptus as a base. Nestle in several succulents for an unexpected touch.

MIX METALS Think beyond traditional and mix finishes like gold, mercury glass and silver with your accessories.

KEEP IT NEUTRAL Choose muted tones for the majority of your décor for a soft and inviting space.

TOP IT OFF Fill hurricanes with silver ornaments on either end and add white floral arrangements or white lights in the center for a festive glow.

Modern Love

ELEVATE YOUR EXTERIOR “Everyone always focuses on the interiors, but don’t neglect the exterior of your home during the holidays,” says King.

Here’s how she and Jackson recommend making an impact outdoors:

W

hen decking the halls of this contemporary farmhouse, Samantha King and Debbie Jackson blended design elements. “This home is neither all modern nor traditional so we decorated with both old and new design sensibilities,” explains King.

The duo chose a non-traditional palette of navy, golds and silvers with pops of orange, reflecting the color of the owners’ bright dining room chairs, a focal point downstairs. In this room, a dark-wood table was brightened with white square plates, opulent, colorful napkins reminiscent of a Gucci scarf and gold starburst napkin rings set with a pretty green stone. Placecards were set into gold artichoke holders, and blue coasters and amber glassware tied in elements of the orange as well as the navy velvet chairs in the adjoining sitting room, where a giant blue spruce tree glimmered with blue and gold ornaments.

In the sitting room, the designers brought in a pair of seasonal orange amaryllis and hung double 24-inch wreaths vertically above each other with navy blue ribbon on the floor-to-ceiling glass door. “One of my favorite holiday tips is to use live greenery or flowers to add a dramatic or surprising element to your holiday decor,” notes King. In this home, floral designer Meghann Smith created an unexpected baby’s breath waterfall that cascaded from the kitchen the island toward the floor.

In the kitchen, the owners’ collection of hurricanes and candlesticks lined a glass table topped with bowls of fresh fruit and a long piece of driftwood.

In the foyer, lush pine greenery was wrapped up the staircase to evoke a sense of being in the wild.

The designers took this idea one step further using faux fir pine trees in the foyer and faux fur throws and pillows to add warmth.

The butler’s pantry, just off the dining room, became a post-dinner dessert station where guests could grab a cup of coffee and fill up their plates with candy and cookies beautifully displayed in glass apothecary, cork-topped and brass-lidded jars.

GET COZY If you have a covered patio or porch, use blankets or outdoor pillows to make that space feel cozy.

ALL THAT GLITTERS Flank your barn or garage with planters of tall topiaries and decorate them with ornaments or lights.

COLOR STORY ABOVE King and Jackson

chose elegant tableware in non-traditional holiday colors.

BELOW In the sitting room, the designers brought in a pair of seasonal orange amaryllis planted in classic ginger jars.

Bring indoor colors outdoors. “We wove orange ribbon into the outdoor topiaries as a nod to the pops of that same color going on inside,” says King.

FIRST IMPRESSION If you have driveway gates, King and Jackson like to hang 60-inch giant eucalyptus wreaths on each one for a big impact.

CURB APPEAL At the base of your driveway, choose containers in an unusual shape or size. King and Jackson used a pair of sculptural wrought-iron orbs stuffed with magnolia and pine leaves from Copia Nursery.

Use live greenery or flowers to add a dramatic or surprising element to your holiday decor.” newcanaandarienmag.com

64

Samantha King & Debbie Jackson DESIGN DOT TEAM

Floral designer Meghann Smith worked in large arrangements for added drama.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

65

Each room housed a tree of a different theme.

Michael Canoro PRINCIPAL AT EASTMAN-INTERIORS

newcanaandarienmag.com

66

A cozy side porch welcomed guests.

A SWOONWORTHY TABLESCAPE A CHIC CHARGER A tablescape made for the chicest of equestrians.

Into the Woods

I

love a traditional aesthetic when decorating for the holidays,” explains Michael Canoro, principal at Eastman-Interiors.

His overall theme was created in keeping with this antique colonial home and the homeowners’ eclectic style.

Canoro trimmed the front door and entrance by wrapping swags of fresh magnolia amidst urns of fresh fruit and cedar branches.

The designer believes the more trees, the better, and he chose a different theme for each tree in the home. “The Art Deco living room had a gold and cream palette, and the tree was trimmed with peacock feathers, floral ornaments and glitzy adornments,” he explains.

Canoro added whimsy by hanging a peacock feather wreath and putting a shimmery bow on a ceramic cheetah, which sat under the period piano. He completed the tree by wrapping several gifts in beautiful paper and festive ribbon.

In the breakfast room, copper cookware was displayed along the working fireplace’s mantel.

Canoro decorated an adjacent tree

with copper ornaments as well as delicate mercury glass fruit and unique food-themed ones.

As you entered the cozy family room, the designer brought an equestrian theme to life by integrating horse-themed accessories into the room. This tree was decked with riding boots, horse shoes, saddles, silver bridles, black and red trimmings and leather ornaments.

Outside in the pool house, the porte cochère had a natural tree filled with woodland animals and birds sourced from Etsy, Amazon and Terrain in Westport. Grapevine, winterberry branches and natural sprigs of greens added to the natural look. Canoro layered

multiple textures here with a decorative wooden horse head, wrought-iron coffee table, wicker furniture, flannel blankets and a woven firewood basket.

“An Adirondack style was reflected in the rustic pool house, as if you were in Lake Placid,” says Canoro. A 13-foot Fraser fir was the focal point and decorated with snowshoes, skis, and red-andblack plaid ornaments. A beautiful, life-size black bear at the base stole the show next to a roaring fireplace.

Canoro’s favorite thing about the project was that each room had a different theme and they all reflected the homeowners’ warm, comfortable style.

Canoro went for a whimsical pheasantfeather style.

FESTIVE AND FORMAL Layer with plates of several sizes, feel free to mix and match.

MONOGRAMMED NAPKINS OR THEMED NAPKIN HOLDERS Canoro used the homeowners’ horse bits to hold their crisp linens.

SIMPLE FLATWARE Or use your very best sterling silver.

MULTIPLE DRINKING GLASSES It’s all about function with a festive sparkle.

The Art Deco living room had a gold and cream palette and the tree was trimmed with peacock feathers.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

67

Christmas Past

T

ABOVE Juliska

provided a beautiful formal table setting.

BELOW A cozy hot chocolate and cookie nook.

his unique home has a rich history in that it has been an inn as well as a private residence. At one point long ago, the homeowner was a piano teacher, and the front rooms once housed several pianos. “The whole idea behind the holiday décor here was to keep with the traditional nature of the home,” explains Cindi Levi. “The current homeowners wanted the décor to be focused around music and reflect an old-fashioned feel.”

A garland of magnolia leaves, gold hydrangeas, plaid gold ribbon, silver-beaded garland and glass ornaments with feathers ascended the foyer stairwell and greeted guests as they came in the door.

The designers chose a theme of gold, silver, blue and white, which was elegant and a nod to an earlier time. One of the three trees had a musical theme, so Levi and Terrance Rhodes folded old music sheets into stars and spraypainted old 45s for ornaments.

“We wanted to bring in a real homemade feel to this Christmas scene,” she says.

For the dining table, Juliska supplied stunning tableware. “We chose a formal place setting with silver and gold chargers and a lace runner down the center of the table,” notes Levi. Rhodes, who is also a florist, created an arrangement made of nearly all white flowers mixed in with some dried gold hydrangeas that he had cut from the owners’ garden, dried and spraypainted gold. The candlesticks, which were filled with pale blue-andwhite-striped tapers, were vintage French horns that the designers bought from an antique shop.

Levi and Rhodes paid special attention to the patio. “The front urns that flanked the doorway were really special,” she remembers.

Sourced from Lillian August, they look like wood but were concrete and filled with a mix of various

greenery, spindly branches that the designers spray-painted white, and more dried gold hydrangeas.

A few other favorite additions from the designers include a set of vintage blue velvet stocking handmade by Rhodes, and the popcorn garland that the design team hand-strung and wove into the family room tree. The finishing touch was that the homeowner made over 1000 cookies to be handed out during the Tour for guests.

“This home had that special, personal touch,” remembers Levi, “and in this time where we’re all together a lot more, sitting down and stringing popcorn or making some homemade ornaments during the holidays adds that extra special element,” she says.

LET’S GET CRAFTY PAINT Styrofoam cones with glue and roll them in glitter to make pretty trees that can be used on a table or sideboard. *Wrap Styrofoam balls with vintage fabrics and tie with pretty ribbon for fun ornaments.

CREATE a cozy area to have homemade cookies and cocoa where the family can go to decompress and be together or guests can relax.

MIX magnolia leaves and greenery remnants from your garland to form small bouquets that can be put in small vases or silver bowls in various spots of the home.

Surround with votive candles.

Cindy Levi & Terrance Rhodes LILLIAN AUGUST

We’re all together a lot more, sitting down and stringing popcorn or making some homemade ornaments during the holidays.”

Dramatic greenery and branches were planted in concerete pots for the entry.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

69

margaret tjimos goldberg

david rabin

alison sherman

LIGHT A Honoring those who went ABOVE and BEYOND

lana gifas

dave kuban

marc jaffe

nicole straight

bob granata

ria rueda

david kuban

FIRE by jill johnson mann | phot o gr aphs by mel ani lust

danielle blaine

2020

in UNPRECEDENTED TIMES stephanie webster

pj johns

michele conderino

W

e have honored our Light a Fire winners—our admirable neighbors who donate their time, money and passion to myriad causes—for thirteen years, but this year is like no other. This year, when the COVID-19 pandemic put Fairfield County in the eye of the storm, most of us just wanted to curl up in a ball with a laptop and Netflix subscription and wait it out. Authorities gave us an excuse, even a command, to stay at home.

But brave people among us—some essential workers and others who determined volunteering was more essential than ever—masked up and did what our Light a Fire winners always do: put everyone else ahead of themselves. Only this time, going to work at a homeless shelter every day, delivering hot meals to families who usually depend on school for that, providing childcare to healthcare workers—these deeds carried with them the risk of grave illness and even death. To the organizations honored here, the people who run them and the volunteers who serve them: our deepest gratitude and thanks for all you have done and continue to do in these unprecedented times.

One theme kept recurring during the interviews for this story—the struggle is not over. People have lost their livelihoods, homes, loved ones, and economic recovery will be slow. The need for food, shelter, support and hope will continue to be overwhelming this winter. Read about each of these organizations and consider where and how you might help. Perhaps you will find yourself in these pages next year.

Join us for a virtual celebration of our honorees hosted by James Naughton.

2020 Light A Fire

AWARDS

DECEMBER 3 /

THURSDAY 5:45-6:45PM newcanaandarienmag.com

72

/

REGISTER AT LIGHTAFIREAWARDS.COM

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * HOMELESSNESS IMPACT *

ORGANIZATION

Open Doors MICHELE CONDERINO, Executive Director

WHAT WERE THE FIRST STEPS YOU TOOK WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT IN MARCH? We evaluated our physical [shelter] space, made sure we had enough PPE to keep everyone safe and suspended our volunteer program. We had to find every way to reduce exposure to people and advocate with the state to hotel our guests.

All of our older population were situated by late March and the rest of our population by April 6.

WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES TO KEEPING YOUR CLIENTS SAFE? At the beginning, there was so much we didn’t know. We were reading constantly, seeing what the CDC was saying, and fine-tuning our policy daily and having a lot of honest conversations with clients.

We explained: “You need to protect yourselves. We’ll do what we can, but it’s about the interactions you are having also.” I had a lot of fear as a leader; I wanted everybody to be safe. I worked on-site right through the pandemic; I don’t know how many hours. I felt it was important my staff knew I wasn’t asking them to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself.

WORDS OF PRAISE

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF FROM THESE MONTHS?

During unprecedented times, government officials mandated stay-at-home orders, but complying with that directive requires having a home,” says board member Barbara Blasso. “At the outset of the COVID-19 threat, Michele and her team quickly assessed the high risk of exposure given the shelter environment and took immediate steps to reduce the risk of transmission among our most vulnerable.

How this organization has taken on its mission and really seen it through. We understood that what we do can be the difference between life and death. We had to do everything we could to keep people safe, and the staff really bought into it. I said to them, “Fifty years from now we will talk about this moment. I’m really proud we helped people.

I hope you are, too.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

73

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING TO WEATHER WHAT THIS STORM MAY BRING IN 2021?

With a lot of reality. Even through the darkest moments of COVID, I knew the real challenge would be over the next couple of years— as unemployment rates rise, extra benefits end and eviction moratoriums end. Our true test will be the long term. We have the highest number of housing placements in the county at this time. We have to decrease capacity due to social distancing. We do everything we can to move people forward; there is a line waiting for that bed. There is a lot of fear in that, not only from COVID but from the elements as we approach winter. It gives us a lot of motivation to do the best we can. »

Impressive Stats Open Doors has remained open throughout the pandemic Kept 40-plus homeless clients safely sheltered through the crisis Secured payroll funding to protect the salary of every staff member Spearheaded a plan for the future with other community leaders serving the homeless Continued to provide meals through its kitchen and pantry, pivoting to takeout Continued running its employment program

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * GRASSROOTS IMPACT *

NICOLE STRAIGHT, Founder RIA RUEDA, ALISON SHERMAN, STEPHANIE WEBSTER, Cofounders ORGANIZATION

Food for the Front Lines

ni cole straight

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR FOOD FOR THE FRONT LINES? NICOLE STRAIGHT: My daughter called and said she was coming home from college. She is an EMT. Within three days at home, she was back doing her volunteer work. I started thinking, what can I do? Maybe I could buy

dollars had come in. I reached out to anyone who could connect me to the local ERs and it just started to snowball. Within a few days Stephanie Webster [founder of CT Bites] called me and said, “I love what you’re doing. I want to help. I know all the restaurants.”

She created the logo and handled the social media. Ria Rueda [a PR professional] texted me: “I want in.” Alison Sherman [former communication manager at Food Rescue, current CEO of The IfLife Foundation] joined in soon after and helped with print and TV PR. Margorie Almansie at Social Venture Partners offered to help with the back end, paying the restaurants; sometimes we were buying 2,000 meals a day. A big shout out to Tim Roof and Raleigh Leahy, also at SVP. Soon people all over started reaching out saying, I want to do this. At one time there were four Food for the Front Lines going on around the state.

some meals for the EMT staff.

I contacted Bill Taibe [chef and owner of several area restaurants] and asked if he’d be willing to make some boxed dinners. That’s how it started. I told my daughter, “Your service is what moved me to volunteer.”

HOW DID YOU EXECUTE YOUR PLAN? It wasn’t meant to be more than a one-night thing. But that initial bill was $750, so I posted on Facebook, asking if anyone wanted to contribute. By the next day, literally a few thousand

WORDS OF PRAISE

Food for the Front Lines raised money to pay restaurants to prepare food for Fairfield County hospitals and responders,” explains Monica Moore, one of several nominators of FFTFL. “They also helped start locations in New Haven, Hartford, Litchfield and Westchester counties. They then pivoted to raise money for pantry food essentials for unemployed restaurant workers, many of who are not getting unemployment, stimulus checks or food stamps. To date [August], they have hosted two food drives, feeding 3,200 people.

NOW THAT YOU’VE MOVED BACK TO YOUR HOME STATE, CALIFORNIA, HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON THIS EXPERIENCE HERE? I think it was the perfect storm.

I was so lucky to have lived in

newcanaandarienmag.com

74

Westport for twenty-one years.

I have a lot of friends there. The moment was right. I will look back at COVID and remember we busted our butts for eight weeks and kept a lot of people employed.

It was a remarkable thing the four of us were able to pull off.

Impressive Stats Raised over $130,000 in eight weeks Served over 12,000 meals to healthcare workers and first responders in Fairfield County in eight weeks Contracted with forty restaurants/caterers, helping them stay in business Served Bridgeport, St. Vincent’s, Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich Hospitals, as well as first-responder units in Greenwich, Stamford, Trumbull, Danbury, Weston, Westport and Darien

WORDS OF PRAISE

Board member Juanita James raves about First County Bank’s response during the pandemic: “The staff worked around the clock to help complete applications, answer questions and get loans approved, when some banks weren’t even returning phone calls. They added staff to handle the additional volume so they could process as many loans as possible. For the second round, they anticipated the demand and went the extra mile. One employee was even prepared to come in at 12:01 a.m. to be ready as soon as the SBA portal reopened. larger banks and came to us. On the commercial side, we usually originate $100 million in loans in a year. It was a huge task to do the same amount in a few months.

There were new rules coming out daily. Everyone pitched in, making sure we were all safe and had all the PPE we needed. No employee contracted the virus from an internal source. This honor is for our employees and board of directors. I applaud them.

WHAT LESSONS DO YOU THINK WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME? Recognizing that we are all in this together. We are a community, whether restaurants, the bakery down the street, the pizza joint.

Perseverance is key. Being essential workers gave us a little privilege, but we were meant to be doing what we did. »

WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE FROM THE CUSTOMERS YOU HELPED? We are putting out ads with all the testimonials. We went out of the way to help them, and they’ve been ecstatic. Large banks couldn’t respond. With us, they could actually speak to a person and finalize a PPP loan, saving their businesses. We were also able to help nonprofits dramatically. That’s a testament to being a community bank.

The founders were not looking to raise a profit; they wanted a bank to help foster and build the community. We’ve continued to honor that.

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * SMALL-BUSINESS IMPACT *

ORGANIZATION

First County Bank

CAN YOU SHARE THE MOST MOVING EXPERIENCE DURING THIS TIME? I’m going to choke up, because I actually came down with the virus. I battled through it, but I had to go the hospital. Our team came together and stepped up, while I was off the phone for several days. We had built the foundation as a team together, and they followed through. Having COVID, being in the hospital—it was an emotional experience. I’m still emotional about it today.

BOB GRANATA, Executive Director

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN TERMS OF FIRST COUNTY BANK’S IMPACT DURING THIS PANDEMIC? The most striking thing is how our employees pulled together

as essential workers, helping out an immense number of people, setting up consumers with online banking and debit cards, helping them pay bills online. People left

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

75

Impressive Stats Originated 1,150 Paycheck Protection Program loans, totaling $125 million and protecting 10,000 jobs Donated 10,000 masks to Stamford and Norwalk hospitals Donated $10,000 to the COVID-19 Relief Fund Donated $8,000 to local shelters and food pantries Dedicated its annual Reyno A. Giallongo Jr. Award to frontline healthcare workers, with $5,000 donations each to Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, St. Vincent’s and Bridgeport hospitals

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER *

PJ JOHNS, VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION

Filling in the Blanks TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT FILLING IN THE BLANKS AND HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED? Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer founded Filling in the Blanks to stamp out childhood hunger by providing meals to children in need on the weekends. I was their personal trainer, and we’ve been friends for over fifteen years. Whenever they’ve needed something, I’ve been available to them. I’ve helped out with backpacks for the holidays and putting together meal bags with Grace Community Church, where I’m a youth leader.

HOW HAVE THE NEEDS AND YOUR VOLUNTEER WORK RAMPED UP SINCE MARCH? The pandemic hit, and they called me to pick up meal bags and deliver them to churches. They were short staffed, so I stayed to help out. On March 23rd, I delivered 600 bags. I’ve been there ever since. Our group stayed small, with six of us working alongside each other for twenty-three weeks.

It used to be just Fridays, but I saw the need and said, “We have to do this Monday, Wednesday, Friday.”

Sometimes the town could only give one dinner to last two nights.

I said, “One night these kids can’t be fed. Can we bring meal bags?”

This is how Filling in the Blanks literally fills in the blanks. We also gave out boxes and boxes of detergent and grocery items.

WORDS OF PRAISE

For many who are frightened to leave their house due to the virus, volunteering is not an option. But not for PJ—he comes equipped with his backpack of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and his trademark black hat on backwards to go out and help the community,” says Filling in the Blanks cofounder Tina Kramer. “His smile lights up a room, and he treats those who need help with dignity and honor. This is a beautiful soul who is giving selflessly of himself in this critical time.

WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE FROM THOSE YOU SERVED? There were a lot of proud people who couldn’t afford to eat for the first time in their lives. We greeted everyone with a smile, learned their names, and took care in what we were doing. We weren’t just handing out food; we were offering hope and encouragement. Some people came in wrecked. We tried to meet

newcanaandarienmag.com

76

each person’s needs. An elderly Russian woman, Antonella, loved mac-n-cheese. I bought her thirty boxes, and she teared up when I gave them to her, saying “Thank you and God bless you,” over and over in Russian. She would bring us trinkets—we knew it was her way of saying she wanted to give also. We made cupcakes for kids’ birthdays.

A mom told us, “You didn’t have to do this for my children. They will never forget it.” The community is forever changed. An act of kindness has a ripple effect for a long time.

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS TIME? I have a greater appreciation for even the smallest of things: If I want to go to Starbucks or the supermarket, I can. When you go through something difficult, concentrate on others—that’s how I was raised. God is there for you and will take care of you and your family. This time has given us a chance to pause, get closer to our families and help our neighbors.

This was the most rewarding thing I could have done.

Impressive Stats PJ and his team of six handed out 147,459 meals, including 49,000 meal bags from Filling in the Blanks Volunteered on seventy days in a span of twenty-three weeks, for a total of 315 hours

WORDS OF PRAISE

During this difficult time, Women’s Mentoring Network realized that the WMN programs and services are needed now more than ever,” says board member Shirley Hu. “WMN is on the front lines of this pandemic, as it works with disadvantaged women who are seeking employment after losing their jobs as a result of the pandemic.

HOW DID YOUR ORGANIZATION NEED TO PIVOT WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT? We transferred all of our services over to the online platform. We are doing all of our workshops online and have more than doubled their frequency. We bring in professionals from the community—banks, companies, staffing agencies—to present to our clients. We have been helping the unemployed and underemployed for thirty years, but everything had to pivot: holding workshops two to three days a week, changing the focus to applying for unemployment and PPP loans, learning how to interview on Zoom. Our mentormentee program, which is thriving during this time, transitioned to virtual as well. Now is a good time for clients to reevaluate their situation and transform themselves. Any emails we send out now are more focused on getting our families through COVID. We are part of the Stamford Food Collaborative and Cradle to Career. We pivoted our United Way funding to a drivethrough food pantry.

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * WOMEN’S IMPACT *

HOW HAVE YOU HELPED YOUR CLIENTS STAY ON THEIR FEET AS THIS CRISIS EXACERBATED THEIR CHALLENGES? Our mission focuses on helping clients find employment and become economically secure, but we’ve pivoted toward education so they can make the most of their unemployment. Online and digital literacy have become so important. Also helping them find food resources and manage their budgets.

ORGANIZATION

Women’s Mentoring Network LANA GIFAS, Executive Director

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM THE FAMILIES YOU HAVE SERVED DURING THIS TIME? They are so grateful. Many of our clients are from immigrant families

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

77

and may not have family or friends to talk to about their needs. They really look to us as a mentor to help them get through, especially now. We are just one piece of the puzzle, and we help connect them to everything they need to move forward in their lives.

WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS TIME? If you are focused and resilient, you will be able to move forward.

We had to do that and our clients need to as well. We have had women find jobs. But many don’t have computers and are applying for jobs from their phones. We have raised some funding to get kids computers for virtual school. When a student gets a computer, the family gets it.

People are so grateful for that. I still have a waiting list of over 100 who need computers. So many people coming out to donate and volunteer, communities coming together, the focus on diversity and inclusion with Black Lives Matter—these are very positive things in a time when it can be hard to stay positive. »

Impressive Stats Provided $37,000 in financial assistance to 175 families, enabling clients to eat and pay rent while awaiting stalled unemployment checks Provided over 250 individuals with support services to help find employment and manage finances Distributed over 100,000 pounds in food via a drive-through food pantry

2020 2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * COMMUNITY IMPACT *

ORGANIZATION

Neighbor to Neighbor MARGARET TJIMOS GOLDBERG, Executive Director YOU RECEIVED THE FIRST GRANT FROM GREENWICH UNITED WAY [GUW] IN THE PANDEMIC. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT? When we all recognized the gravity of the situation, David Rabin [CEO, GUW] called me and asked, “Margaret, what do you need?”

That was a perfect example of trust and communication in the community. I’ll never forget that.

We then applied for another round of granting, which we received for continuing needs.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU HAVE USED THE FUNDING AND PARTNERED WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS? We had a summer program to provide for families with children, a supplement to what the school district was distributing. We worked with the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging, distributing groceries to 200 households each Friday.

Words can’t describe the effort with our community partners.

The impact has been remarkable.

Thanks to Kyle Silver and the town of Greenwich, we were able to move to the Arch Street Teen Center after the Christ Church campus closed.

That has been a godsend. We also have an internal focus, making sure staff and volunteers are taken care

of. It is very stressful. We are now looking at mid-2022 before we can even think about a hint of things stabilizing. How do we make sure there is nourishment all around, not just groceries but also health and well-being? It’s a delicate balance, but the work we are doing provides such a clarity of focus. It’s so energizing and inspiring.

HOW DID YOU FIND WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE FEEL CONNECTED IN SUCH AN ISOLATING TIME? By communication and consistent messaging that is easily understandable, conveyed across various platforms. We’ve gotten a lot of attention in the newspapers and on social media. The TAG drivers know the individuals in the households, which creates connection. We have young families with newborns, with a growing need for diapers and formula. We connected on Facebook and were able to get them what they need.

I met face-to-face with a ninetyeight-year-old client today and made sure he got his food delivery.

When calls come into my office, I immediately provide people with my cell phone number, ensuring they know we are here for them. If we can’t provide what they need, we reach out to other agencies.

Impressive Stats WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PANDEMIC? There is an awful lot that we just don’t know and a lot we don’t control. We have learned to walk together in confidence with our partners, staff and board, and find pathways to opportunities. We have to continue to move forward together. Don’t walk alone. Seek support with confidence and you’ll find a way. We’ve proven that many, many times already.

Committed food for 550 households weekly (and growing) Provide weekly snacks to 100 students Provide supplemental fruit to Meals on Wheels deliveries Completed the weekly Summer Supplement delivery to 225 households

WORDS OF PRAISE

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, NTN acted to prepare for an increase in families in need.

They realized early that this was a crisis situation,” says NTN donor Brooke Urban. “NTN began to establish or strengthen partnerships with Greenwich Teen Center (larger space), TAG (distribution to clients), Greenwich United Way, the Junior League of Greenwich, Jewish Family Services, churches, schools and many more organizations. newcanaandarienmag.com

78

WORDS OF PRAISE

Jeremy Nappi, Senior Director of Fund Development & Operations; Robert Moore, Director of Community Impact; David Rabin, CEO

Not only did the GUW raise and distribute the most impactful fund in town, the organization also served as a matchmaker—bringing together key stakeholder organizations and residents who wanted to help in different ways but didn’t know how to go about it, and connecting them with those who needed assistance that could not otherwise be found,” says Karen Hopp, longtime supporter and volunteer who now works on PR for the agency. the board about a COVID-19 relief fund. Even before that, we gave an emergency grant to Neighbor to Neighbor. One-third of Greenwich residents are already in need, and we knew the pandemic would exacerbate that. We acted quickly—that’s what we do. We know the community’s needs more than anyone. In December/January we will be coming out with a robust needs assessment, which we do every five years. We partnered with Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact. We created an online interactive map; you can click on an area of Greenwich and see what the needs are.

HOW DID YOUR ORGANIZATION PIVOT DURING THIS TIME? We started the relief fund.

We got the grant committee together weekly to handle grant applications and rapidly deploy funds. In the past, the CEOs of human services organizations in town met every four months.

We shifted to weekly calls and made scores of connections to address critical needs, such as food delivery of breakfast and lunch daily. Of the 9,000 children in Greenwich Public Schools, 20 percent are on free/reduced lunch.

We connected the superintendent with an organization that could deliver meals to these families. We made a connection for Greenwich Hospital for mask donations. We organized a book donation for Title 1 children. We acted as a fiduciary for Greenwich Comes Together, which was not a 501c3 yet.

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * NONPROFIT IMPACT * ORGANIZATION

Greenwich United Way DAVID RABIN, CEO WHEN DID YOU HAVE A SENSE OF THE DEVASTATION AHEAD WITH THIS VIRUS? This crisis is exactly why we are here. The Greenwich United

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

Way was founded eighty-seven years ago during another crisis, the Great Depression. On March 15, my staff and I had a phone conference and then approached

We never skipped a beat. We raised almost $900,000 in three months and granted it quickly without compromising our

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

79

process. With COVID grants, we request monthly reports on how the money is spent, so we can report back to donors to show they had the greatest outcome.

HOW DID THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS? Greenwich responded like Greenwich always does. We put out the clarion call, and it was answered rapidly. »

By the Numbers Spearheaded the Greenwich COVID-19 Community Relief Fund, which raised $900,000 (as of August) Issued twenty-one grants to the most vulnerable in the community (as of August) Delivered 5,200 meals through Caritas, 6,784 meals through Filling in the Blanks and provided funding for 57,204 meals supplied through Neighbor to Neighbor Provided Zoom calls to 360 families through River House during the first month of the crisis Gave $400 each to 125 individuals to meet basic needs through Family Centers Provided 549 teen talk counseling sessions through Kids in Crisis Paid for 250 meals for frontline workers through Nathaniel Witherell

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD

* OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC BUSINESS *

DAVE KUBAN, Owner ORGANIZATION

Planet Pizza, Norwalk HOW DID YOUR BUSINESS ADAPT DURING THIS PANDEMIC? We are in a high corporate area, so we lost those patrons and our rent is high. We adjusted our prices to a little above cost, so we could keep doing high volume.

Everybody likes the doctors, nurses, police, so we started asking for donations and sending pizzas out to them. Melissa and Doug donated. Lemberg Law would donate $200 or $300 a day. We’d write a message from Lemberg Law on the pizza box, and the nurses would write and thank Sergei Lemberg directly. It took off. Crossfire Motorcycle Club bought 500 sandwiches, chips and waters—for $6 not our usual $11— and personally delivered them by motorcycle to Norwalk Hospital.

I’m involved with the community on a normal basis, so this was easy for me. I grew up in Norwalk, with no money. Now I try to give back what I can.

HOW DID YOU HELP FAMILIES IN THE AREA? We raised $9,000 to provide food for kids and worked closely with guidance counselors to get healthy meals—grilled chicken,

broccoli, rice—to families. Rice is not on our menu, but we were buying six or seven fifty-pound bags a week. Someone asked for bologna; I don’t sell it but I wasn’t going to turn anyone down! I sent my driver for some. Matt Corey, who teaches lacrosse in Norwalk, donated $2,000 out of his own pocket, and we gave families Planet Pizza gift cards for wellrounded meals, including protein, veggies, milk and juice. With Malta House and social services, we delivered hand sanitizer, paper towels—anything to keep kids from getting sick.

WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE FROM THOSE YOU SERVED?

Impressive Stats

So many people called to thank us, crying—saying that was the only food they had for the week.

I felt so bad, I started dropping off $50 gift cards. I told my wife at night, “I don’t feel right sitting down and eating dinner.”

and fed all the homeless under the bridge. Then we fed all the homeless by the bridge in South Norwalk, then at Stratford’s Home Depot, and then by the train station in Bridgeport. One lady there had six kids with her, living in a tent. I gave her the money in my pocket. They were charging the food truck; they were so appreciative.

MOST MOVING EXPERIENCE? M2 Tactical gun shop and Saugatuck Financial each donated $2,000. We made 450 bagged lunches, took my food truck, drove over to Exit 6 in Stamford

Raised $27,000 for hospital employees over three-anda-half months Raised $9,000 to donate meals to families once schools closed Served 450 meals to the homeless

WORDS OF PRAISE

Dave raised money to feed hospital employees over and over,” Cristy Gonzales, a teacher who works with lowincome kids, says of owner Dave Kuban. “He has his guys delivering meals to needy kids for free, then he tips his drivers himself. He has been sending food to everyone who is taking care of our community—store employees, postal workers, nurses, doctors—and keeping his employees working. When schools closed, I panicked thinking about how many kids would go unfed each day. I called Dave and he stepped up! He is now feeding so many that I’ve lost count. newcanaandarienmag.com

80

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * BEST FRIEND TO CHILDREN *

ORGANIZATION

Children’s Learning Centers

MARC JAFFE, Chief Executive Officer HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AS AN ORGANIZATION AND TAKE ACTION WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT? My team is really dedicated and mission driven. We knew the Greenwich/Stamford area was going to be overwhelmed by COVID. We have a long-standing relationship with Stamford Hospital; it’s the largest employer of our families. When the Project 26 program was announced, the OEC (Connecticut Office of Early Childhood) approached us and our response was: “Whatever it takes.”

We were fortunate that we had a core team who demonstrated real courage and commitment and raised their hands.

WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THIS TIME MAKE YOU MOST PROUD?

closed, we almost immediately pivoted to remote learning, serving 940 children at home. These are younger kids who can’t read yet, don’t have technology, and whose parents are often non-English speakers. Philosophically we don’t believe in having children on screens, but we realized staying connected to the children, and engaging with the parents was really important. Our family engagement increased tenfold.

We have committed to building a robust remote learning platform for pre-K, which doesn’t really exist.

Certainly Project 26. We ran a program for eight weeks and managed to do it without any children or staff getting sick.

The healthcare workers deeply appreciated knowing their children were cared for and happy—you could see that in the faces of the children. We’re now serving 380 children in our seven sites. That also means 500 parents are going to work, so we are supporting the community and getting the economy back on its feet. We learned in running Project 26 how to mitigate risk, enabling us to reopen quickly. Also when we

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR 2021 AS WE FACE THE UNKNOWNS OF THIS VIRUS? Having our robust remote learning platform in place.

Hopefully it becomes a model for the state, maybe the nation. Have as many children at our sites as we can safely accommodate.

Continue to support not only our children and families, but our staff and team members, who are under a fair amount of stress. And to be cognizant of the challenges around race and equity as revealed by the George Floyd incident and respond to those challenges. Our staff is 85 percent female, 95 percent minority. »

WORDS OF PRAISE

Many CLC families were disproportionately impacted by the economic ravages of the virus,” explains Sue Bodson, who nominated CLC. “Food insecurity and unmet basic needs were very common problems, and CLC demonstrated how an organization leans in and shows up despite never-beforeseen challenges.” Sue, along with Bobbi Eggers, was planning CLC’s annual benefit when the pandemic hit. They quickly pivoted to a virtual Instagram party—over 600 participants attended, and the event raised $113,000.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

81

Impressive Stats Through Project 26, CLC offered childcare to Stamford Hospital healthcare workers for eight weeks in the heart of the pandemic. No child or staff member contracted COVID-19.

Safely opened seven of CLC’s eight locations by the end of June, enabling 500 parents to get back to work Distributed 9,000 diapers through Greenwich’s Mothers for Others (ongoing effort) Distributed over 200 meals through Filling in the Blanks in Norwalk Organized a 1,000-volume book drive with Westhill Angels

2020 Light A Fire

AWARD * OUTSTANDING

LEADERSHIP *

ORGANIZATION

Food Rescue US DANIELLE BLAINE, Site Director

WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO ADAPT TO THE RAPIDLY GROWING NEEDS WHEN THIS PANDEMIC HIT? We usually use our app to communicate between food donors, volunteers and our social service agencies who receive the food. When the pandemic hit, so many agencies and grocery stores closed or changed hours that our app schedule could not reflect the rapid changes. I quickly emailed all of our volunteers and asked who would be able to help at a moment’s notice to move food to people who need it most. I received about 200 responses from volunteers, and we moved our system to fast-paced texting for March and April. The volunteers were incredible. We also launched three new initiatives: our community kitchen program, restaurant meal program and farm distribution program.

WHAT WAS YOUR ORGANIZATION’S EXPERIENCE WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF YOUR EFFORTS? We experienced an unbelievable outpouring of goodwill from volunteers giving their time and companies and individuals providing grants to sponsor our meal programs to our local agencies, helping our local restaurants in the process—a real win-win for all.

ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF DURING THIS TIME? Building stronger communities through our volunteers and grocery, restaurant, school and hospital donors, and reaching deeper into the community to find individuals who are not being helped or need more help. When our volunteers reached out to help neighbors in need, it brought the whole community up. One of our agencies said, “The people felt respected and cared about when they saw these beautifully packaged meals coming from our local restaurants and community kitchens.”

Impressive Stats Provided over 840,000 meals (as of August) to the food insecure since the start of the pandemic

WHAT LESSONS DO YOU THINK WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME? A pandemic can turn things upside down in a moment.

Our agencies saw a doubling or tripling of people in line for food—many of them for the first time and many in tears. It could happen to anyone, and by building a stronger community of volunteers we can pivot to help anyone in Fairfield County in more ways than before. We experienced this with the weeklong power outage. We were so ready to jump in and take immediate action to help the stores and agencies get back on their feet quickly. Our

volunteers went to restaurants at a moment’s notice to get food that was going to spoil and take it to people who needed it. Through the pandemic, we have learned to come together as a team and community. The next time it could be us in line for the first time, and I think that has really made people think about equity and helping all people who are economically disadvantaged.

WORDS OF PRAISE

Food Rescue was a key partner who helped us to develop a sustainable food system to feed hundreds of families during this COVID pandemic,” says Deborah Sims, Executive Director of East End NRZ Popup Market & Cafe.

“They provided us with high quality fresh fruits, vegetables and meals, which was essential to our families that faced daily struggles in dealing with hunger. newcanaandarienmag.com

82

Kept over 1 million pounds of food out of landfill Grew its team to 1,268 food rescuers (from 1,000 on March 1) Launched five Restaurant Meal Programs, helping more than twenty restaurants stay in business Launched three Community Kitchens— reopening restaurants, hiring back staff and making healthy chef-prepared meals for the food insecure Launched a Farm Distribution Program, recovering excess food from farms

The

Awards

Celebrating our COVID-19 heroes T HURSDAY • D EC E MBE R 3 • 5:45 - 6 :45 P.M.

When unprecedented times struck, so many in the community sprung into action.

JOIN US ONLINE to celebrate the extraordinary work of our nonprofits, businesses and volunteers.

Join us for A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION.

REGISTER NOW!

LIGHTAFIREAWARDS.COM

Platinum Sponsor

Exclusive Gift Bag Sponsor

Donations at the time of registration will benefit Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

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

A N T I Q UA R I U S

GREENWICH WINTER ANTIQUES & DESIGN SHOW

DECEMBER 2–4, 2020

Presented online by InCollect

TOGETHER AT HOME

The Greenwich Historical Society’s premier annual fundraiser celebrating design, decorative arts, architecture and landscapes, presented in a new content–rich virtual format.

HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR

Celebrating the work of designers Patrick Mele, Charlotte Barnes, and Heather Georges

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

DESIGNER PANEL

greenwichhistory.org/antiquarius

Presented by Douglas VanderHorn Architects

All the best of Antiquarius- online- with engaging virtual panels and workshops featuring top local designers.

Plus, daily email content celebrating Greenwich retailers, entertainers & designers, a special festive gingerbread kit, our annual Festival of Tabletop Trees and candlelit Bush-Holley House tours.

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING WORKSHOP

With decorating & entertaining guru Eddie Ross

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

Curated local and popup boutiques for festive shopping

Our Mission The mission of Breast Cancer Alliance is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure.

To promote these goals, we invest in innovative research, breast surgery fellowships, regional education, dignified support and screening for the underserved.

If you would like to learn more about BCA, please visit breastcanceralliance.org

Contact us!

Breast Cancer Alliance, 48 Maple Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 P 203.861.0014 F 203.861.1940 Yonni Wattenmaker, Executive Director

www.facebook.com/ breastcanceralliance

@BCAllianceCT

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN-DARIEN

85

@breastcanceralliance

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs.

Weddings should have a current New Canaan, Darien or Rowayton family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day.

Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted.

Send Information to: weddings@ncdmag.com New Canaan • Darien Magazine 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880 ROMAN BODNARCHUK-STOCK.ADOBE.COM

DREW KLOTZ K IN ET I C SCULPTURE

203 221 0563

WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD?

DREWKLOTZ.COM

newcanaandarienmag.com

86

advertisers index ART & ANTIQUES Drew Klotz Kinetic Sculpture............................................................... 86 AUTOMOTIVE Fedor Auto Body Work Inc...................................................................... 39 Karl Chevrolet Co............................................................................Cover 2 BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT California Closets.......................................................................................7 Grand Entrance Gates Ltd...................................................................... 33 Michael Smith Architects........................................................................15 Neil Hauck Architects, P.C..............................................................Cover 3 BUSINESS & FINANCE Castle Connolly........................................................................................ 38 Cummings & Lockwood LLC................................................................... 42 Davidson, Dawson & Clark LLP............................................................... 43 UBS Financial Services Inc./ The Shantz Mantione Group................................................................27 INTERIOR DESIGN, DECORATING & HOME FURNISHINGS Hollow Tree Self Storage......................................................................... 43 La French Goose..................................................................................... 33 SERENA & LILY.........................................................................................19 EDUCATION & CHILDREN Brunswick School.......................................................................................21, 31 Children's School, The.....................................................................................42 Fairfield University/Quick Center for the Arts...............................................37 EVENTS A-list Awards............................................................................................. 40 Greenwich Reindeer Festival................................................................... 38 FASHION Roundabout...................................................................................................... 41 FOOD, CATERING & LODGING Winvian.....................................................................................................10 Table 104 Osteria Bar ............................................................................. 25 HEALTH & BEAUTY Castle Connolly........................................................................................ 38 CT ENT Sinus and Allergy........................................................................ 23 ONS Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists....................................... 13 Paul D. Harbottle, DDS, LLC.................................................................... 39 Hospital for Special Surgery......................................................................5 JEWELRY Lux Bond & Green....................................................................................... 1 Manfredi Jewels/Rolex................................................................ 3, Cover 4 NONPROFIT Connecticut Humane Society............................................................. 43 Breast Cancer Alliance........................................................................ 85 Darien Chamber of Commerce............................................................ 42 Darien Nature Center........................................................................... 87 Greenwich Historical Society............................................................... 85 New Canaan Chamber of Commerce.................................................. 84 REAL ESTATE William Pitt - Sotheby's International / Darien....................................... 17 William Raveis-Shelton HQ.........................................................................9 REAL ESTATE/DESTINATION John's Island Real Estate Company.....................................................41 SPORTS & FITNESS Hickory & Tweed Ski & Bike................................................................ 29 MISCELLANEOUS Westy Self Storage.................................................................................... 41 New Canaan Weddings........................................................................... 86

Sponsor an Animal dariennaturecenter.org/donate

Ownership Statement New Canaan/Darien Magazine U.S. Postal Service. Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation. (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. Publication Title: New Canaan/Darien. 2. Publication No.: 1942-1028. 3. Filing Date: October 1, 2020. 4.

Issue Frequency: 6 times. 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 6. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $19.95. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Jonathan Moffly, Publisher, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880.

Julee Kaplan, Editor, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. Julee Kaplan, Managing Editor, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. 10. Owner: Moffly Media. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. For Completion by Nonprofit Organizations Authorized to Mail at Special Rates: Not applicable to New Canaan/Darien Magazine. 13. Publication Title: New Canaan/Darien. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September/October 2020. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total Number of Copies (net press run): *6,228 **5,883; b(1). Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscription Stated on Form 3541: *482 **464; b(2). Paid In-County Subscriptions: *2,323 **2,236; b(3). Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: *515 **330; b(4). Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: *0 **0; c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), (4): *3,320 **3,030; d. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, Complimentary, and Other Free): d(1). Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: *0 **0; d(2).

In-County as Stated on Form 3541: *1,067 **1,132; d(3). Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS *0 **0; d(4). Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or Other Means): *1,037 **801; e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), (4): *2,104 **1,933; f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): *5,424 **4,963; g. Copies Not Distributed: *804 **920; h. Total (Sum of 15f, 15g): *6,228 **5,883; i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c divided by 15f. times 100): *61.2 percent **61.1 percent. 17. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the November/December 2020 issue of this Publication. 18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on this form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties). Elena V. Moffly, Business Manager/Treasurer, October 1, 2020. *Average No. Copies Each Issue During Proceeding 12 Months. **Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

87 NCD 2020 Statement Ownership.indd 1

10/14/20 2:10 PM

what % of US adults say they read magazines in the last 6 months?

what % of US adults say they read magazines the lastsay 6 months? what % of USinadults they

91 91 91

read magazines in the last 6 months?

This includes 95% of those under 35 and 95% of those under 25.

This includes 95% of those under 35 and 95% of those under 25.

This includes 95% of those under 35 and 95% of those under 25.

(MRI-Simmons, Fall 2019)

(MRI-Simmons, Fall 2019)

(MRI-Simmons, Fall 2019)

what % of US adults say they read magazines the lastsay 6 months? what % of USinadults they

91 91

read magazines in the last 6 months?

what % of US adults say they read magazines in the last 6 months?

91

This includes 95% of those under 35 and 95% of those under 25.

This includes 95% of those under 35 and 95% of those under 25.

This includes 95% of those under 35 (MRI-Simmons, Fall 2019) and 95% of those under 25.

(MRI-Simmons, Fall 2019)

(MRI-Simmons, Fall 2019)

last word by liz ariol a

HOLIDAY WONDERLAND AFTER A CHRISTMAS TRIP TO QUEBEC CITY, WE CAN’T

HELP BUT DREAM OF OUR NEXT VISIT

A

consistent conversation in our house is where we hope to travel once restrictions are lifted and it's safe to do so. And, with the holidays in full swing, I can't help but think about our unforgettable trip last year, to our favorite winter destination, Quebec City. My husband and I traveled there last December, and we were immediately transferred into a magical real-life snow globe.

I can’t quite put into words just how special Old Quebec City is. And I can’t wait to bring my family there as soon as we can make it all happen. I think it’s just one of those places you need to visit yourself to truly experience the magic. Here, find my Quebec City picks below. But remember, it’s freezing in December so be sure to pack some warm gear, wear layers and you may even want to stuff your boots and gloves with hand-warmers.

We stayed at the Auberge SaintAntoine and loved it. It is a boutique hotel within walking distance to everything Old Quebec City offers, including le Petit Champlain and the Christmas food market. There is a really cozy restaurant at the hotel, Chef Muffy. We had breakfast there every morning, which was included in our stay.

We also had tea every afternoon at the chic hotel bar. saint-antoine.com

DO: GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET A few weeks before Christmas, every corner of Quebec City is decked out for the season. The market runs from late November through late December and highlights German and European Christmas traditions, activities and cuisines. Some of our favorite pop-ups were the outside winter bar, maple syrup popsicles made on ice in front of you,

and cheese Handbrot “hand bread” and the crepes.

STROM SPA Strom spa was absolutely stunning.

It is definitely the most unique spa I’ve ever been to and offers quite the experience.

A true indoor/outdoor oasis for adults. stromspa.com

ICE SKATE AT PLACE D'YOUVILLE Christmas music and lit up buildings for a super-festive skate. There’s no admission fee

and skate rentals available.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS You’ll find Christmas carolers all over Old Quebec City, specifically at the many churches.

One evening, we walked through Place Royale square and stumbled upon the most magical scene.

A huge Christmas tree, snow falling and carolers singing in front of Notre Dame des Victoires, the oldest stone church in North America. It was something I’ll never forget.

newcanaandarienmag.com

88

E AT: BREAKFAST

Chez Muffy was a perfect place to start the day with a warm fire and a great atmosphere.

DINNER

L’affaire est Ketchup was our favorite.

Quaint with a new menu each day.

DRINK AND A SNACK Pub L'Oncle Antoine was super cozy.

Don’t miss the French onion soup.

FOR A LOCAL SPIN

Visit the new Adirondack Store on Elm Street in New Canaan for a similar holiday vibe.

You can grab a coffee and stay or shop their gorgeous array of holiday gifts.

It’s a win-win.

LIZ ARIOLA is the creator of Mrs. Nipple, a lifestyle blog to

CONTRIBUTED

STAY:

inspire and connect women through practical motherhood advice. She lives in New Canaan with her husband, Ray, and two sons, Charlie and Ford. mrsnipple.com, @mrsnipple_

Museum of Darien

First Congregational Church

DR Bank

Darien Athletic Foundation

Weed Beach

Sono Baking

Saint Luke’s Parish

Brooks Brothers

Pear Tree Beach