Rowayton Seafood’s Pearl —a restored former workboat, now serving up coastal charm.
PRINCESS PIROUETTE
VENETIAN
features
50 THE QUEEN OF GEMS
After spending decades working the Long Island Sound, Pearl has a new look and a new purpose—thanks to Kevin Conroy at Rowayton Seafood. Following a complete renovation, the classic oyster dredge now sits gracefully behind the restaurant serving as a unique bar where patrons can savor the same fresh seafood Pearl once harvested. by
elizabeth keyser
58
THE GOOD LIFE
Our annual Good LIfe guide includes a curated collection of restaurants, shops, goods and services that cater to your every need. We share the best offerings and unique experiences found in this coveted corner of Connecticut. by jill johnson mann
BUZZ Ali Truwit—paralympian turned philanthropist; The Flower Project gives the gift of beauty; Anna Gass’ new cooking show SHOP Prepchester’s local roots DO The health benefits of ballroom dancing; in the kitchen with Rowayton’s Michele Salmini EAT Badass Bagels in New Canaan; Bar Bushido in SoNo GO Four Season’s Naviva
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editorial
editorial director Cristin Marandino editor Eileen Murphy advisory editor Donna Moffly art
senior art director Venera Alexandrova
senior art director/status report Garvin Burke production director Tim Carr art intern Ava Amuso
contributors
editors
Megan Gagnon editor, athome Melinda Anderson editor, stamford Samantha Yanks editor, westport Elizabeth Hole editor, custom publishing
writers
Liz Barron, Elizabeth Keyser, Julie O’Brien Deasy, Jill Johnson Mann, Georgette Yacoub
copy editors
Liz Britten, David Podgurski
digital
audience development editor Kaitlin Madden digital marketing manager Rachel MacDonald digital assistant Lloyd Gabi digital assistant Jeffery Garay
business
president Jonathan W. Moffly
editorial director Cristin Marandino business manager Elena V. Moffly cofounders John W. Moffly IV and Donna C. Moffly
sales + marketing
Gina Fusco publisher gina.fusco@moffly.com
Jonathan W. Moffly publisher, greenwich, athome, stamford, ocean house jonathan@moffly.com
When putting together a bimonthly magazine, there is often a lot of advance planning required. But planning this issue’s cover story certainly took things up a notch.
We had been following the Rowayton Seafood oyster bar project for a while, occasionally checking in with the Conroys to see how it was taking shape. We were hoping to photograph Pearl for the cover of the May/ June issue, but like home renovations, boat restorations take time and the completion date can be like a moving target.
We were thrilled when the invite arrived welcoming friends and family aboard Pearl for a preview party in mid-October—but winter was knocking at the door, and we knew the boat would only be in the water for a short while before she needed to be hauled out for the season. So, as soon as Kevin Conroy of Rowayton Seafood gave us the go-ahead, we called up photographer Katharine Calderwood and started scheduling.
It had been a mild fall and we were hopeful that we would luck out with another unseasonably warm day. Talk about wishful thinking! Records show the average temperature in Norwalk that day was 37 degrees, which doesn’t include wind chill. But the sun was out and we were determined to get our cover.
Guests joining us aboard that day understood
the assignment—it was absolutely freezing and almost November, but we had to make it look like it was springtime in coastal Connecticut. So when Calderwood lined up her shot from the chase boat and art director Venera Alexandrova radioed us on Pearl to remove our many winter layers, all you saw was flowery dresses, sun hats, short sleeves and smiles.
The memory of this day makes me laugh (especially the shot on page 55). We got the shot of Pearl, shining in all her glory as she graces the waters she once dredged in her previous life. Learn more about her transformation on page 50 and then make a reservation to visit Pearl, now that the warm weather is finally here!
In addition to Pearl’s return to service, there is much to celebrate in this issue. We have a wonderful story about how Rowayton’s Sarah Balsley shares joy and kindness through her passion for growing and gifting flowers with The Flower Project (page 16). We also have an update on all the amazing things Darien’s Ali Truwit is up to with her foundation Stronger Than You Think (page 13).
As per usual, once we get on the topic of food, we go on and on—with a new cooking show from New Canaan’s Anna Gass (page 20), an in-person cooking class plus incredible views with Rowayton’s Michele Salmini (page 26) and a new sourdough bagel shop in New Canaan (page 30). Plus lots of other great stories, including our annual “Good Life” feature (page 58) on all the unique places around lower Fairfield County that make our little corner of the world so special.
So say goodbye to those winter layers and shake off the chill from this cold, grey winter. For spring has finally sprung and it’s time to celebrate!
eileen.murphy@moffly.com
Alexandrova and editor Eileen Murphy (top), with other frozen guests aboard Pearl last fall.
Pictured left to right: (front row) Dr. Henry Yoon, Dr. Asha Shah, Dr. Maher Madhoun, Dr. Bismruta Misra, Dr. Joonun (Chris) Choi, Dr. David Hsi, Dr. Michael Bernstein; (back row) Dr. Craig Olin, Dr. Corinne VanBeek, Dr. Joshua Herbert, Dr. Robert Babkowski, Dr. Michael Ebright, and Dr. Kevin Dwyer.
founder’s page
“The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly cost $34 million, but $32 million of it was for security.”
MAY/JUNE 2025 / DONNA MOFFLY
OF BUDGETS & BRIDES
Grooms, too, naturally. Once again, we’re arriving at the month where weddings are “busting out all over just because it’s June, June, June!”.
Weddings, of course, cost money for somebody, usually the bride’s parents—the amount relative to the wallet and preferred level of fanfare. My marriage to Jack Moffly in Cleveland in 1959 was particularly special, since it had taken him thirty-three years to get up the aisle. I was a decade younger, and he told me he was marrying me for my potential. I could identify with Katharine Hepburn who once observed: “Spencer grew me up beyond my potential.”
But about our wedding: I still have Mother’s handwritten notebook with all the details. It started with the engagement party for 100 in our apartment. One gregarious future usher stood at the front door of 2B introducing himself to each guest as “Tom Flood, Philadelphia”, so everybody thought I was marrying him. Another was Newbold Smith who mother kept calling Nouveau. The final bill including liquor, caviar, mushroom sandwiches and a family casserole for afterwards totaled $193.40.
Then came the ceremony on a rainy Saturday in July. The service was at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where $68 covered the organist, baritone, Sexton and candles. For the reception, The Country Club on Lander Road could accommodate 350 guests. Hough Caterers provided heart-shaped watercress sandwiches, lobster salad, petit fours with Orange Blossom Trim, a five-tier cake on a table draped in “newly-made chartreuse organdy, bouffant effect,” candelabra, baskets of rose petals and waitresses—all for $1,684. And the Hal Lynn Trio played from 6:15 to 10:15 for $100.
But I did get lots of mileage out of my wedding gown. It started as a diaphanous Grecian-stye cocktail dress in moss green
chiffon with a satin cummerbund; but by special request, the designer made it floorlength in white for me. Later I cut it off and dyed the cummerbund green, then brown with black cummerbund, then gained weight and gave it to the Rummage Room.
Now fast forward five or six decades. A young friend of mine, planning her wedding for 150, made the rounds of local clubs and figured the reception at $220 a person, the band at $9,000, flowers $12,000 and photographer $6,700. Total: $60,700.
But that’s a mere bagatelle compared to Forbes list of the most expensive celebrity weddings. Among them: At Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach Donald Trump married Melania Knauss decked out in a Christian Dior gown with 300 feet of satin beaded with 1,500 crystals ($1 million). Tiger Woods and Swedish model Elin Nordegren took over an entire resort in Barbados plus, to thwart the paparazzi, the island’s only helicopter service ($1.5 million).
The eighth time Elizabeth Taylor wed it was to construction worker Larry Fortenski at Neverland Ranch with Michael Jackson walking her down the aisle ($2 million). And, when Liza Minnelli married concert promoter David Gest in New York, Michael Jackson was best man with Liz Taylor, maid of honor ($4.2 million).
And the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey reportedly cost $34 million; but $32 million of it was for security, so maybe that shouldn’t count. To save money, the royal lovebirds might have considered a fast getaway on their wedding present from the Mayor of London—a bicycle built for two.
That's a wedding I’m sure will last. But divorces among those aforementioned celebrities does prove that money can’t buy love.
Anyway, with destination weddings the rage now, I wonder who picks up the tab for all that airfare? Hmmm.
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by georgette yacoub photography by katharine calderwood
ALI TRUWIT’S NEXT CHAPTER
FROM PARALYMPIAN TO PHILANTHROPIST
Ali Truwit watched as seven-year-old Talia took her first steps with a new prosthetic leg. It was Valentine’s Day and Truwit's foundation, STRONGER THAN YOU THINK, had just reached a major milestone: its first prosthetic donation.
“Watching Talia put it on and bounce around, finally able to run and play as a seven-year-old should, was incredibly special,” Truwit recalls.
During that interaction, posted on the Stronger Than You Think Instagram page (@stongertyt), you’ll see many moments where Talia hugs Truwit, even reaching for her hand to place her cheek against it. They are heartwarming and wholesome moments to watch, but also momentous for Truwit because, as she says, “that’s when I really saw the impact of what we were doing.”
buzz
For Truwit, prosthetics aren’t just pieces of plastic—they are a bridge to rebuilding. Just a few years ago, she was on the other side of this experience.
A shark attack while snorkeling in Turks and Caicos cost her part of her leg and threatened to take away the identity she had spent years building as a swimmer. But in the months that followed, Truwit not only returned to the pool, but she made it all the way to the 2024 Paris Paralympics—winning two silver medals. (Read our September/October 2024 cover story “Trials and Triumphs” about Truwit at mofflylifestylemedia.com.)
That resilience is now the foundation of Stronger Than You Think, a nonprofit born out of Truwit’s realization that everyone deserves the support they need to rebuild. A few months into her recovery, while reflecting on how grateful she was for the people around her, Truwit decided there was no way she wasn’t going to pay it forward.
A high-quality prosthetic can cost tens of thousands of dollars, with insurance often covering only the most basic models—if at all. At her prosthetist’s office, Truwit met, among others, a 50-year-old woman who had been in a wheelchair for years because she couldn’t afford a prosthetic.
“I realized how life-changing it was for her to finally get a leg,” Truwit said. “Seeing firsthand how financial barriers prevent people from walking again opened my eyes to how unfair the system was.”
But prosthetics are just one part of the foundation’s mission. In addition to helping those in need gain access to the right prosthetics, Stronger Than You Think has two other pillars: the first around water safety and the second around creating a community, giving people the sense of purpose and connection that
“seeing firsthand how financial barriers prevent people from walking again opened my eyes to how unfair the system was.”
– ali truwit
“that’s when i really saw the impact of what we were doing.”
—ali truwit, on watching talia take her first steps with a new prosthetic
right Truwit inspecting Talia’s new highactivity leg with a prosthetist at A Step Ahead Prosthetics in Hicksville, New York. After Truwit presented Talia with the new leg, the girls posed together and took Talia’s new leg for a test run.
helped Truwit in her own healing. That commitment to water safety took center stage in January 2025, when Truwit visited Stewie the Duck Swim School in Norwalk. Families gathered to meet her, hear about her journey from shark attack survivor to American record holder in the 400-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke, and see her in action. During the event, Truwit presented a $5,000 donation to the swim school on behalf of Stronger Than You Think, with the funds going to provide low-cost lessons for 500 children. She also posed with kids, let them try on her medals, and taught a mini class on swimming and safety—full-circle moments for someone whose life changed in the water. Stew Leonard and his wife Kim, who founded the school after
losing a child to a drowning accident, were there too, presenting Truwit with a custom barrel of cheese puffs (her favorite snack) featuring her face on the label. It was a playful nod to her 23rd birthday, spent in surgery after her amputation, when all she wanted for her post-op “birthday dinner” was cheese puffs.
While events like these showcase the Foundation’s growing reach, it’s the quieter, personal moments that ground Truwit's work—like her bond with Talia, which deepened in a powerful exchange. “She showed me her amputated leg and scar, which is such a personal thing for an amputee,” Truwit recalls. “That level of trust meant so much.”
It’s that sense of trust and connection that Truwit hopes Stronger Than You Think will
continue to build—not just with individual recipients, but on a broader scale. From fellow amputees to her Paralympic training partners, she knows firsthand the power of feeling seen and understood.
“I hope people say it’s life-changing,” Truwit says of the foundation’s future. “I hope it continues to grow, helping more people access prosthetics, water safety education and community. My dream is for it to become a household name.”
Through Stronger Than You Think, Ali Truwit is turning personal adversity into a platform for empowerment—creating not just a foundation, but a legacy of resilience and possibility.
To learn more, visit strongerthanyouthink.org
above Being a strong swimmer saved Truwit’s life when the shark attacked. Part of her foundation’s mission is to promote water safety—a mission that is shared by Norwalk’s Stewie the Duck Swim School, which was founded by Stew and Kim Leonard. On a recent visit, Truwit presented the school with a $5,000 donation to help lower the costs of lessons for 500 children.
by elizabeth hole
GROWING JOY
FINDING SOLACE IN HER GARDEN, ROWAYTON’S SARAH BALSLEY CULTIVATES (AND SHARES) BEAUTY THROUGH THE FLOWER PROJECT
It all started with four dahlias and three funerals. Inspired by the beautiful blooms she received from her sister-in-law during a challenging time, Sarah Balsley reignited her passion for gardening by studying to become a flower farmer. The pursuit led to an abundance of blossoms, which she gave to friends and neighbors who were sick or grieving, or as a thank-you or welcome to others. This act of kindness developed into The Flower Project.
“I had never grown dahlias before and immediately fell head-over-heels in love with their gorgeous colors and forms,” recalls Balsley. “Returning to the garden, reconnected to the rhythms and nature, and cultivating beauty helped heal my heart.”
Balsley grew up in Norwalk, gardening with her mother as a shared hobby. She attended Yale University and pursued a career in advertising after graduation. She left the advertising world while pregnant with her second child and later decided to return to gardening, enrolling in a
“growing
flowers grounds me, heals me, fills me with wonder, gratitude and joy.”
– sarah balsley, the flower project
master’s level course in landscape design at The New York Botanical Garden. Balsley started her own business and designed high-end properties in Fairfield County for many years.
Once life got busy with her family, she closed the business. “I had a third child, got divorced, was a single mom and eventually remarried and had a fourth child,” she explains. Then tragedy struck when she then lost her father, former husband and mother all within a few years— just before the pandemic hit. It was 2021 when she received the serendipitous dahlias and found her way back to the soil.
That winter, Balsley learned the skills needed through a flower-growing course at Floret in Washington state. That’s where she learned about planning a flower farm, soil health, planting seeds, bulbs and tubes, succession planting, harvest techniques and post-harvest care.
Living in Rowayton, Balsley craved additional space to grow more flowers and decided to rent two small plots in 2022 at Norwalk’s
Balsley in her happy place—walking among her flowers at Millstone Farm in Wilton. Her goal with The Flower Project is to sell enough flowers to cover costs and to give the rest away.
Fodor Farm, a public community garden. “I grew 20 dahlias and was over the moon,” says Balsley. “The second year, I had three plots at Fodor, 60 dahlias and a generous flower-loving friend in Darien who let me share her sunny backyard for a season. Together, we grew 1,200 tulips.”
Because she had spent time in senior care facilities before her parents died, Balsley wanted to add some joy to an otherwise difficult experience. “I began to informally drop off flowers at Notre Dame in Norwalk, Atria and Maplewood in Darien and Hilltop Home in Rowayton,” explains Balsley. “It is utter magic to see the way people react when you walk in with a bucket of blooms. Flowers bypass words and circumstances and offer a sort of instant joy.”
A chance meeting with one resident named Betty, who was celebrating her 100th birthday, helped Balsley cement her mission and outreach. Not sure if Betty could hear or understand her, Balsley knelt by Betty’s wheelchair and offered
a flower. “Without looking at me, Betty reached out and took the flower in her gnarled hand. Slowly, she raised it to her nose, closed her eyes and then broke out into a huge grin,” recalls Balsley. “Sharing this beauty and brightening her day healed my heart, and it helped offset the sadder memories I had of being there with my parents.” That’s when Balsley gave a name to this effort, and The Flower Project was born.
After one season in her friend’s backyard and two at Fodor Farm, Balsley added another location. At Millstone Farm in Wilton, she was able to plant 60 additional dahlias, along with snapdragons, Iceland poppies, bachelor buttons, sweet peas, zinnia and ornamental basil. The next year, she planted 100 dahlias and, in 2025, she will grow nearly 300 dahlias and 1,600 specialty tulips.
Balsley considers the project a family affair and enlists the help of her husband Tom (a landscape architect), her children, her sister and brother. “They like to be involved, helping me build raised beds, hauling compost, weeding, watering,
harvesting and making bouquets,” says Balsley. Her goal with The Flower Project is to sell enough flowers to cover the expenses so she can “give away as many as possible.” In addition to selling directly to customers, you will find Balsley’s flowers at Rowayton Market and the Farmers Market at Pinkney Park. Arden’s Café buys flowers weekly for their restaurant and Balsley hosts pop-up events there. She donates tubers and dahlias to the Rowayton Gardeners, which they use for their annual spring plant sale.
Balsley has had a few high-school interns, and she hopes to involve more in the future. She’d like to educate them on the benefits of “working outside in the sunshine and experiencing the magic of putting phones down and tending to something with your own hands.”
“Growing flowers grounds me, heals me, fills me with wonder, gratitude and joy,” Balsley says. “Reconnecting with nature and learning the nuances of flowers has been a gift and sharing them is an utter delight.”
This year, Balsley will grow nearly 300 dahlias and 1,600 specialty tulips—in addition to snapdragons, poppies, bachelor buttons, sweet peas, zinnia and ornamental basil
TOP PHYSICIAN PRACTICE IN CONNECTICUT.
SPORTS
HAND
TRAUMA
PRIMARY
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PHYSICAL
RHEUMATOLOGY
FOOT & ANKLE
PHYSIATRY
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A DASH OF CULTURE, A PINCH OF PASSION
NEW CANNAN LOCAL TAKES CULINARY INFLUENCING TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH A NEW COOKING SHOW PRODUCED BY
RACHAEL RAY. by liz barron
Growing up with an Italian immigrant mother, Anna Francese Gass, could always count on a delicious, authentic, homemade dinner. Her genealogy, coupled with childhood summer trips to Calabria and Florence, might make one think that becoming a chef would be second nature for Gass. But she notes, “cooking is not a talent, it’s a skill.” It wasn’t until early adulthood that Gass realized how much happiness could be made in a kitchen.
While attending New York University, Gass found herself less than thrilled with dining hall food. She spent countless hours checking in with her mom at home and asking about her recipes in an effort to recreate the comfort food she had grown up with. “I even had an illegal hotplate in my room,” Gass jokes. But after graduating with a double major in psychology and journalism, becoming a chef was not on Gass’ radar.
A TURNING POINT
After a few years in the corporate world, Gass found herself feeling unfulfilled, knowing deep down, that she needed something more. A phone conversation with her father changed everything. Hearing about his daughter’s inner turmoil, he said, “You’re always watching Rachael Ray and reading Gourmet magazine, why don’t you go to culinary school?” Before she knew it, Gass was enrolled in the French Culinary Institute and spent the next nine months happily honing her skills in the kitchen. Upon graduation, Gass landed a two-year gig in the test kitchen at Martha Stewart Living—first as an intern and later as a recipe developer, often the one preparing the meals that were being featured on the show. For the first time, Gass felt she was exactly where she was meant to be. “You spend more time at your job than anywhere else, why not try to make it the most joyful thing that you do?” says Gass.
SECOND-ACT SUCCESS
Combining the writing skills she gained as a journalism student with her culinary talents, Gass set out to create a cookbook. The idea for Heirloom Kitchen stemmed from conversations with her mother about the desire to have a physical record of their own family recipes that had been passed down through generations. With that as her inspiration, Gass traveled across the country to interview and record the recipes of 40 women, all of whom immigrated to the United States. Her book, which was released in 2019, propelled Gass into the spotlight, seemingly overnight.
ON-CAMERA CHARISMA
In addition to an article in the New York Times, Glass appeared on a number of national television shows, including Good Morning America and a variety of shows on The Food Network. “You write a book and you need to promote it, but you have no idea how you’ll actually do on camera,” says Gass.
“i want people to finish watching my show thinking ‘i can do this’ and go make my recipe.”
–
anna francese gass, on her new cooking show instant italian
“I did a four-minute segment on the Food Network where I plugged the book and afterwards the producer came up to me and said ‘you are so good at this!’” With her notoriety gaining momentum, Gass was invited on Good Morning America and has since appeared on the show 15 times.
In addition to her in-print and on-air presence, Gass also focused on social media as a place where she could easily reach and connect with large audiences. Gass’ Instagram grid is now flooded with videos of her guiding her more than 140,000 followers through recipes as if they were in the kitchen with her. And each video ends with her signature phrase “yum to the yum.”
TAKING ON TELEVISION
In 2024, Gass released her second book, Italian Snacking, and was asked to make an appearance on the Rachael Ray Show, which felt like a dream come true. After years of watching her on television, Gass was thrilled to be in the same kitchen as Ray and the two instantly hit it off. The bond lead to Gass’ latest culinary project: a cooking show called Instant Italian. Teaming up with A&E Network, Ray’s Free Food Studios produces the series, which debuted on March 10 as part of the network’s Home.Made. Nation programming.
In the show, Gass guides viewers through various Italian dishes in a way that can be easily replicated at home. “My TV show is about teaching people how to make the kitchen a happy and safe place. Not only do I focus on simple recipes, but I always explain exactly why I’m doing what I’m doing,” she says. “I want people to finish watching the show thinking, ‘I can do this’ and to go make my recipe,” says Gass.
LOCAL ROOTS
When asked about the local community’s reaction to her success, Gass says with gratitude that, “this town has been so supportive of my career. Elm Street Books and the library have both been so wonderful with both of my book launches, the
show, and always asking how they can help.” For the debut of Instant Italian, The New Canaan Library hosted a premier viewing event that was so well-attended it was standing room only. As far as Gass is concerned, there can never be too many cooks in her kitchen.
Gass resides in New Canaan with her husband, three children and Boxer named Levi. To follow Gass’ culinary journey and the recipes she shares, visit her on Instagram @annafgass or tune into her new show.
Recipes from Gass' most recent cookbook, Italian Snacking—Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day include a collection of cakes (below), Polpette di Tono (above left) and Fonduto (above right)
shop
by eileen murphy
ICOASTAL ROOTS
INSPIRED BY THE COMMUNITIES OF HER PAST AND PRESENT, JULIA ZOTTNER FOUNDED AN ACCESSORIES BRAND THAT CELEBRATES THE CLASSIC COASTAL LIFESTYLE.
t’s been five years since Julia Zottner moved to Westchester to start a new life and a new business—but our towns will always hold a special place in her heart.
Zottner is the founder of Prepchester, a line of golf and racquet accessories, whose style is inspired by some of the coastal communities dearest to her heart—Darien, Rowayton and now Larchmont Woods in Westchester.
Having grown up in New Jersey, Zottner attended Villanova University and spent her early fashion career working at Ralph Lauren in New York. After leaving the city, she and her husband moved to Darien, his hometown. “We were just starting our life there,” Zottner says, when he
was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed two years later.
Zottner relocated to Rowayton and began working with New Canaan’s Krista Fox of Krista Fox Interiors. “I loved the area,” she says fondly of her former home, where she enjoyed the quintessential coastal lifestyle—soaking up the beach and riding her bicycle everywhere.
Fortunately, she found love again and married Tommy Zottner outside her home at Five Mile Landing, followed by a intimate family gathering at Rowayton Seafood.
The couple moved to Larchmont Woods to start their new life together, which now includes two children: Teddy (five) and Emmeline (nine months). Zottner found there were
a lot of parallels between Rowayton and her new home—sailing, golf, paddle, tennis. “I saw a need for accessories that married that modern nautical and preppy vibe,” she says of launching Prepchester in 2024.
She started by designing a paddle racquet cover after being disappointed in the materials and zipper on one she had purchased. She added pickleball accessories next, as there were limited stylish accessories for the rapidly growing national craze. Zottner has since included golf and tennis items to Prepchester’s expanding product line, with her new crossbody tennis bag featuring interchangeable straps available in late June.
As her business and family grows
in Westchester, Zottner remains connected to her former home, attending Noroton Presbyterian and participating in local events— including sponsoring Darien Depot’s pickleball fundraiser (see page 46). It seems, for Zottner, her compass always points toward the coast.
Learn more at prepchester. com or follow @prepchester on Instagram.
above: The Prepchester line includes accessories for racquet sports and golf. below: Founder Julia Zottner with her husband Tommy celebrating their wedding in Rowayton.
do
by georgette yacoub
MORE THAN JUST MOVEMENT
THE SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS OF BALLROOM DANCING
Humans have told stories with their bodies since the beginning of time. Across ancient civilizations—from the rhythmic ceremonial movements of early African tribes to the Haka of the Mãori in New Zealand— dance was a language, a means of storytelling, emotional expression and communal bonding. It was how people celebrated, mourned, connected and even healed.
While dance has evolved through centuries, its fundamental purpose remains unchanged. Today, we may dance for fun, for fitness or to celebrate our most joyous occasions. But dance still fulfills those deeper human needs. It builds confidence, strengthens relationships and creates a sense of belonging—benefits that have existed since the very first beat of a drum.
At Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New Canaan, co-owners Amy Cherrez and Marko Micic are bringing the transformative power of dance to the local community. With roots in two distinct dance
traditions—Cherrez, originally from Ecuador, steeped in the rhythms of Latin dance, and Micic, a ten-time national ballroom champion from Serbia—they combine expertise and passion to create a welcoming space for dancers of all levels.
Since opening its doors in October 2024, the studio has quickly become a hub for people looking to move, connect and rediscover themselves through dance. While some come for
practical reasons—learning a routine for a wedding or to pick up a new hobby—many find that dance becomes something much greater.
“We’ve had couples come in just wanting to prepare for their child’s wedding, and then they end up staying because it brought them closer as a couple,” Cherrez shares.
“We’ve seen single men and women walk in feeling shy and leave with a new sense of confidence. Dance transforms people—it lifts them up.”
The science behind dance’s impact on mental and emotional well-being is compelling. Studies have shown that it not only improves mood but also reduces stress, enhances cognitive function and delays the onset of neurological conditions like dementia.
According to research from Harvard Medical School, dance engages multiple regions of the brain at once, strengthening neural connections and promoting mental agility. It’s for this same reason that Cherrez says dance is such an effective form of stress relief:
“You have to be fully present—your mind, body and emotions have to be engaged.”
Cherrez and Micic see this science play out in real time at their studio. “We had a woman come to us after a long illness, just to get out of the house—she was hesitant, shy, unsure if she even belonged in a dance class,” Cherrez recalls. “Now, she’s the most social, confident person in the room. She not only improved her health, but completely transformed her outlook on life.”
Dance, they explain, offers something that traditional workouts often don’t: joyful movement.
“People don’t even realize they’re exercising because they’re having so much fun,” Micic says. “But beyond the physical, it’s the confidence, the social connection, the sense of accomplishment—that’s what keeps people coming back.”
Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New Canaan welcomes all ages and levels. Additional Fred Astaire Dance Studios are located in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and Southport.
SOPHISTICATED ADVOCACY
Parrino|Shattuck, PC has a well-earned reputation for assisting clients in complex and high-asset cases. We are committed to client communication, and we are attentive to our clients’ needs in any divorce or family law matter. Many of our cases involve businesses, deferred compensation, valuable assets and other high-net-worth matters, in which experienced advocacy is essential. Tumultuous times require a legal team that will be effective, efficient, and sensitive to their clients’ concerns. Your case is important. We have a wealth of experience handling the many overlapping issues and legal complexities that may arise, and we work with a skilled team of experts including forensic accountants, valuation professionals and mental health care providers.
Most of the clients whom we represent are referrals by colleagues, well-satisfied clients and spouses of former clients who appreciate the talented representation that we provided. Our services include representation in matters involving divorce, asset division, alimony, child custody, child support and modification of court orders.
How to Choose the Right Divorce Lawyer
Many people are aspirational in their assessment that they can achieve a quick, inexpensive and conflict-free divorce. In some cases, that assessment may be accurate. However, Connecticut matrimonial law is extraordinarily complicated. Parties to a dissolution action would be well-served to select highly skilled counsel at the inception of the action.
Key questions to ask:
1 How accessible is the lawyer and what is his/ her communication style? Choosing a firm that has a commitment to consistent and clear communication will facilitate informed decisions.
2
How does the attorney analyze financial data to fully discover all assets in the marital estate? It may be necessary to engage forensic accounts and expert witnesses to uncover all marital assets, including assets held by trusts, crypto currencies, collectibles, undisclosed accounts and properties, carried interests, and non-cash compensation such as stock options and restricted stock units.
3 Does the attorney develop individualized legal strategies for each case, or do they take a more standard course to obtain any possible resolution? We recommend choosing an attorney who will help you identify your goals and then work to achieve them.
by malia mckinnon frame • photography by venera alexandrova
DISHING IT UP IN ROWAYTON
GATHER AROUND THIS RESIDENT’S KITCHEN ISLAND FOR DELICIOUS FOOD, COOKING INSPIRATION AND MORE
Ask Michele Salmini when she first fell in love with cooking, and she’ll recall watching her grandmother make homemade pasta. “I remember being in awe of how she rolled, cut and pinched the dough to make her famous ravioli on an extra-long cutting board that ran the length of her kitchen table. Her fresh pasta and tomato sauce were so delicious,” she says. Many years have passed, and Salmini has not only perfected her grandmother’s sauce, but now she’s the one behind the kitchen island, turning her passion into an opportunity to make life a little easier for others.
Salmini was, no surprise, a schoolteacher who always loved to entertain and have people over on the weekends. So when her youngest started high school five years ago, she created Oak Street Kitchen and began hosting small cooking classes in her New Canaan home. These casual
lunchtime tutorials became popular among the moms in town, both for the convivial nature of the gatherings as well as the takeaways. “A lot of parents are at a loss of what to make for dinner or stuck in a rut with the same five to ten recipes. Having three kids of my own, I remember how
hard it was to get dinner on the table, so my goal is to make minor tweaks and provide new meal ideas for people’s weekly rotation—anything to make mealtime simpler,” she says.
Salmini’s 90-minute classes accommodate eight to ten people, and she typically shares and serves three to four recipes. “What’s unique about my classes is that they are a break for moms," she explains. "It’s BYOB, so they socialize, have a drink and relax while I prepare everything.” After doing this for several years, she reflects that the value in these sessions comes from the combination of a fun atmosphere, eating great food and learning cooking hacks that can be implemented into everyday
Salmini (right) loves cooking in the kitchen of her new home, with an island that fits ten and offers beautiful views of the Long Island Sound (left).
life. “These women watch the way I make everything, they taste and learn how to do it for themselves and their families. This is different from a straight cooking class where you’re trying to read directions and prepare meals on the spot, which can be stressful.”
In addition to providing copies of the recipes, Salmini shares various tips and tricks during the class, advice on how to meal prep and provides links to her favorite kitchen gadgets and accessories. “I recommend things they can do ahead of time each morning, like mixing up a marinade or chopping chicken or vegetables, even making a sauce so it can simmer and develop flavor,” she says. “This way, when
“this is different from a straight cooking class where you’re trying to read directions and prepare meals on the spot, which can be stressful.”
– michele salmini
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Salmini reccommends having these items in the kitchen (top to bottom): a good olive oil; a mini food processor; a pepper mill, juicer, mini whisks and zester; an acrylic cutting board; and lots of bowls.
mealtime comes there’s not a mad rush.” All her recipes are doubled or tripled so you’ll have leftovers, and if you’re lucky, you’ll receive a party-favor-size of her top-secret sauce that can be used as a dressing or on top of chicken, beef or vegetables.
Some past Oak Street Kitchen classes have included these themes: Easy Weeknight Meals, One Pan Dinners, Healthy Bowls, Slow Cooker Favorites, Hearty Winter Soups, How to Throw a Dinner Party and Three Sauces That Go With Everything. Salmini focuses on meals that are simple in preparation with fresh ingredients. Describing her dishes as “healthy-ish,” she admits she’s not over the
left: Salmini (second from right) wants guests to leave feeling confident they can easily recreate the dishes she prepares during the class (top)
top, yet everything is seasonal, flavorful and family-friendly. “I see so many people grabbing prepared meals at the grocery store, and I want them to realize you don’t need a ton of time or effort to make a delicious meal,” she says.
In May 2024, just when classes were at their peak, life threw the Salminis a curveball when a fire tore through their New Canaan home, resulting in a total renovation that was estimated to take more than a year. Nothing was available to rent in town, so a realtor friend found an available cottage just across the street from Rowayton Seafood. With summer upon them, the family settled into a new normal, enjoying new experiences like taking in sunsets and water views, walking on the beach and all the little pleasures small community living offers.
In August, just before their rental was up, the tides turned again when their “empty nester” dream house came on the market.
“The truth is, we had fallen in love with everything about Rowayton—being on the water, the tight-knit community and welcoming
“i love filling my home with lots of people and everyone feels happy when they leave.”
– michele salmini
attitude, the simplicity of life here. We feel like we’re permanently on vacation,” she explains. They jumped at the opportunity to buy this home, which offers stunning views, a small pool and a no-maintenance yard. “It’s literally everything we ever wanted, the size is perfect for my husband and I and spacious enough for when our three kids come home.”
Her favorite part? “I have an amazing kitchen with an island big enough for ten people, so I can cook to my heart’s content while overlooking the Sound. It’s perfect!”
Salmini started up her classes in Rowayton in February, and she’s hosting around two per month. “I love filling my home with lots of people and everyone feels happy when they leave, plus I’m thrilled to be able to feed some of my new neighbors as well as former clients,” she says. Future plans include having a stand at the Rowayton Farmer’s Market with her own special dressings and sauces.
For more information or to book a cooking class, contact Salmini at oakstreetkitchen.com or send a DM on Instagram @oakstreet.kitchen
This group of Rowayton women spent the afternoon watching and learning from Salmini while also enjoying a glass of champagne and a delicious meal.
eat
FROM STARTER
TO SCHMEAR
HOW A PANDEMIC HOBBY TURNED INTO A GROWING LOCAL BUSINESS
by liz barron
Like so many others, Jennifer Balin— owner of Sugar and Olives, a culinary studio turned farm-to-table restaurant in Norwalk—found herself caught up in the sourdough frenzy during the pandemic. But rather than making bread, Balin decided to try her hand at bagels. “Unlike bread, bagels have a much lower hydration level and are more dense,” says Balin. “At first I really didn’t know what I was doing and my bagels all looked like pancakes.” Through a trialand-error period that lasted months, Balin perfected her recipe. Initially debuting her creations to rave reviews at an outdoor Rosh Hashanah dinner, Balin left the socially distant celebration with numerous orders.
above: At Badass Bagels, customers can choose from a wide variety of unique toppings, including smokey black garlic (left) and green goddess cream cheese (right), made with buttermilk, preserved lemon, parsley and locally grown tarragon and dill.
Before she knew it, “what was originally meant to be a relaxing hobby had turned into a full timeand-a-half job,” says Balin, who now produces 1,000 to 2,000 bagels per day. Balin’s “covid bagel operation,” run by a team of local acquaintances and friends, has become a booming business with multiple locations, the newest of which opened this March on Burtis Avenue in New Canaan.
NOT ALL STARTERS ARE CREATED EQUAL
The base of all Badass Bagels is Balin’s sourdough starter, a special combination of wild yeast and naturally occurring bacteria, which she says is very stiff and strong—it even floats because it’s very active and has a lot of gas bubbles. “Many other starters can be poured, but mine is too dense for that,” she explains. “It’s dense but light, almost like playdough, which gives the bagel needed structure while it’s baking on a rack with no sides.” The starter is used to leaven the bread, allowing it to rise without using commercial yeast. The fermentation process takes more than four days. Balin’s ingredients are a combination
of local, regional and organic flours and include both high-gluten bread flour and rye flour that are sourced from mills that recognize the importance of quality ingredients. “Most flours are enriched and sprayed with commercially made vitamins that contain GMOs and all sorts of other allergens and immune system disruptors which can cause reactions similar to gluten and wheat allergies,” says Balin, who is committed to making her bagels not just delicious but also healthy. Badass Bagels are made with unenriched flours that translate into a much less processed bagel.
SPREADING THE JOY
In addition to bagels, Balin sells a variety of distinctive cream cheeses and spreads, with a wide variety of unique flavors, like Cowboy Candy (pickled jalapeño peppers), Preserved Lemon, Fried Caper and more. Her extensive menu includes pastries, sourdough pasta, pizza crusts and more. As important as the recipes and ingredients are to Balin, her customers and the culture at Badass Bagels are just as important. “I love it when people come in and we stand
around talking about our love of food,” she says. “I don’t just make trendy bagels, I’m invested in the community, and I’m here to stay.”
NATURALLY DELICIOUS
Ironically, Balin once turned her nose up at the very thing that would make her such a successful local businesswoman. So much so that, years ago, when Balin was getting divorced, she had a line added to the divorce agreement about bagels. She requested that her ex-husband (now a valued board member of her company, in addition to being her lawyer and close friend) “not give our children bagels for dinner.” After having created such a healthy and delicious product, Balin now sings a different tune and calls her bagels a perfect complement to dinner at only 275 calories each, with a low glycemic index, high protein, low gluten and fiber.
Balin has four children and resides in Westport. Badass Bagels has locations in Armonk, Rye, Norwalk and now New Canaan. Balin and team also appear at a local Farmer’s Markets, including ones in New Canaan, Darien and Rowayton. Follow her on Instagram @badassbagels.
Norwalk’s New Destination
A PASSION FOR JAPANESE COOKING DRIVES CHEF
by
After months of not-so-patiently waiting, the day is here. Jeff Taibe and Steph Sweeney, co-owners of Taproot, officially opened the doors to their new restaurant Bar Bushido, a traditional Japanese izakaya. While the restaurant is new, the idea isn’t. Taibe actually has been working on the concept for Bar Bushido for over five years.
The name originates from Taproot’s former pop-up series, called “Bushido,” that took place prior to COVID. Taibe introduced the oneSunday-per-month experience as a way to fuel his passion for Japanese cooking, something he missed dearly from his days at Kawa Ni in Westport. Bar Bushido has been years in the making, but it wasn’t until the 51 Wall Street space opened up, that it became a reality.
There are two ways to dine at Bar Bushido. First, there’s the front room: it’s straight out of Tokyo, relaxed and playfully appointed with Japanese prints and Miyazaki-style anime graphics, making it a great spot to hang out and share delicious food and drinks. You can grab a seat at the bar, standard tables, one of four cozy reservation-only booths or around the two old-school arcade games to indulge in some friendly competition. The main inspiration was to create a space that Taibe wanted to hang out at every day, a place that is centered around great food and drinks, but warm and inviting for all.
Taibe describes the menu as “out-of-thebox." It’s pairings you wouldn’t think would go together, that work in perfect unison. Think
pork katsu stuffed with oaxacan cheese and curry mayo or wagyu with smoked cheese and sake-cured cukes.
“By making it small plates and shareable, it allows us to keep the per-plate costs lower. There is nothing on the menu over $18, but you can add some high-end ingredients to change that very quickly,” Taibe shares.
And, you can add caviar to anything!
Then there’s the back room, which features an elegant bar and small dimly lit dining space, exclusively serving temaki and a sakebased spirits menu. You can sit right at the handroll counter or at one of six tables along the Japanese bamboo-panelled wall. It’s a little more upscale compared to the front room and is by reservation-only. In the future, Taibe has
JEFF TAIBE 'S NEW VENTURE, BAR BUSHIDO
stephanie webster and sam schwab
left: Hamachi Sashimi middle: Jeff Taibe and Steph Sweeney, co-owners of Taproot right: "Gingers Have No Sole."
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visions to transform it into a late night vinyl bar.
“When I lived in the East Village back in 2003 and when Alphabet City still had a bit of a "punk" edge and St. Mark’s was primarily basement yakitori shops, we would start the night o on Avenue A with a bucket of PBR during happy hour and conclude the night on St. Mark's for some yakitori and a beer. Bar Bushido would be a mash-up of that, with a bit of our own style, edge and creativity,” says Taibe.
But regardless of which room you dine in, we can guarantee you will eat exceptionally well. We were truly mesmerized by how much attention to detail went into each menu item. And, of course, none of this would be possible without Taibe’s tremendous team, including Chef Rob Haidar who runs the day-to-day operations and Bar Manager Kylie Keeley who has put together an amazingly creative, playful and well-balanced cocktail menu.
Nearly everything on Bar Bushido’s menu is made in-house, with many ingredients requiring a multiday process: the tare (Japanese seasoning), broth, seasoned soy sauce, the list goes on and on, are all made from scratch. When we spoke to Taibe about the menu, he radiated enthusiasm. e
chicken wings, for example, take four days to make and are sourced locally from either Gottleib Farm in (Wycko , NJ) or Hudson Valley Farm (Ferndale, NY). e team respects the Japanese culture by following proper technique and not taking any shortcuts, but they inject their own background and heritage into it to create a unique dining experience.
“Not being of Japanese heritage, there is a very thin line to toe to make sure you're respecting their proud heritage but still keeping your own spin on things. So by doing that, we do everything the way it would be done in Japan, but with our own ingredients and twists that make it unique to us,” Taibe says.
While the back room is exclusively temaki, the front room menu has eight sections to choose from: snacks, pickled and cured, large group of friends, there’s a ton of shareable items to choose from. e koji beef jerky topped with togarashi is a must-order as is the okinawa potato salad. It is made with purple potatoes, so it’s vibrant and showstopping. Even if you’re not vegetarian, you’ll certainly enjoy the pillowy agedashi tofu with onion tentsuyu, wasabi zuke, onion, and sesame. en, there’s all of the grilled skewers. Each one was an absolute hit, but the pork belly with chimichurri was a standout for us. e meat was so tender it practically melted in your mouth.
handrolls, fried, on rice, grilled, sandwiches, and noodles. It’s an extensive menu, but, rest assured, there is no “wrong” order… although, we’d probably say that no visit to Bar Bushido is complete without ordering at least one temaki. Among our favorites are the fried oyster, which is topped with smoked ikura, kasuzuke tartare, and shiso and the hokkaido scallop, which has yuzu tobiko, brown butter kewpie, and shiso kombu. en, there’s also a classic spicy tuna or a wagyu beef/uni hand roll for non-seafood eaters. If you’re dining in the back room, you’ll want to look out for the cucumber black goma hand roll. It’s topped with a plum paste and furikake that was so avorful, it was hard to believe it was vegetarian.
If you nd yourself at Bar Bushido with a
Last but not least, there are some larger dishes under the rice, sandwich and noodles sections, which we thought might be better as a main or shared between two. e ramen at Bar Bushido is probably unlike any other ramen you’ve had before since they make the tares, broths, and avor oils/animal fats from scratch. Taibe shared that one day he also hopes to make the noodles in-house too.
It’s going to be tough to narrow down your order, but, to start, let us steer you toward the handrolls, a favorite among us and Taibe. “I love raw sh and just the simplicity of perfectly vinegared rice, crunchy nori and di erent textured sh. Nothing better. As simple as it is on the surface, the technique behind it is amazing,” he says.
Bar Bushido is at 51 Wall Street in Norwalk and open for dinner at 4:30 every day except Monday. Happy hour which recently started is a more casual way to enjoy boiler makers, PBR and ramen, an array of drink specials, yakitori and fried items.
Bar Bushido 51 Wall Street, Norwalk
above: Okinawa Potato Salad.
below: Hokkaido Scallop Handroll.
above: Chicken Wings.
above: Pork Katsu Pocket.
chathambarsinn.com
DESIGNER-APPROVED DESTINATIONS
WILD AT HEART
Welcome to the jungle, where a new four seasons concept has captured the spirit of magical Mexico
by megan gagnon
Naviva from above, with a glimpse at the three-level Selva Pool
T“ent-living” and “all-inclusive” aren’t ordinarily the first things that come to mind when planning for an ultra-luxury getaway. But there’s nothing ordinary about Naviva. Spanning 48 acres on the edge of a private Punta Mita peninsula, Four Seasons has reimagined the resort experience with an immersive escape that celebrates Mexico’s natural beauty.
A quick five-minute ride from its larger sister property, Naviva feels a world apart. A cocoon-like lattice bamboo bridge forms the connection to this new world, where guests emerge into an environment left mostly untouched. Architecture bows to nature, with curved rooflines and winding pathways that follow the contours of the land, while open-air structures allow for uninterrupted views of the surrounding flora and fauna. Greet your guide, who will
Naviva’s luxury tents are hybrid structures that take glamping to the next level.
Risco Terrace is the perfect spot for sunrise yoga and an intimate sunset dinner for two.
left: Capullo Landing anchors the entrance into Naviva.
left, below: From Copal’s dining space, guests can view the copperclad bamboo lounge.
give a tour of the walkable grounds and explain the ethos of Naviva’s mission. Here, everyone is on a first-name basis, and the team is eager to deliver an unforgettable stay.
Available to adults only, there are just 15 bungalows nestled into the lush landscape, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living. Each nightly rate includes all meals, drinks and experiences, plus two spa treatments per trip, eliminating any transactions during your time away. There are no menus, no front desk and no room keys (replaced with discreet corded bracelets) and most of the time, no other guests in sight, making it feel like your own personal paradise.
Days unwind at your own pace and leisure, free from rigid schedules. A pre-arrival consultation ensures every activity is tailored to your getaway goals, from spiritual
renewal in a temazcal ceremony to invigorating hikes or paddleboarding. Everything is flexible, casual, but without sacrificing any of the service expected from five-star hosts.
In between your morning yoga or training session at the Flintstones-style outdoor gym, get acquainted with your new friends at Copal Cucina—more of a gathering place than a traditional restaurant. Choose from daily specials—which range from sushi to molcajete tacos—or simply ask them to prepare whatever you’re craving that day. Take the chef up on an invitation into the open kitchen to see ceviche prepared with freshly caught fish and vegetables grown nearby. Or pull up a seat at the bar for a masterclass in margarita making and sample some locally crafted raicilla (a tequilaadjacent agave spirit).
All of these excursions assume you’ll venture out of your private oasis overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Designed by Luxury Frontiers—the creators of Amangiri’s Camp Sarika pavilions—each tent embraces Naviva’s biophilic design principles. But calling them “tents” hardly does them justice; they feel more like grand treehouse villas. A centrally positioned king bedroom is flanked on either side by a safaristyled living room and generous bathroom, with the option to open all the canvas walls for unobstructed views. Outside, a large patio awaits with a hammock, chaise lounges, a fire pit, a plunge pool and an outdoor shower. From sunrise to sunset, you’re enveloped by the sights and sounds of the jungle.
And if after all that enlightenment, you feel like emerging from your Naviva sanctuary and escaping into the fantasyland that is Four Seasons Punta Mita, you’re free to do that as well. Because sometimes, a visit to the churro cart and a day on the lazy river are good for the soul, too.
fourseasons.com/naviva
A dedicated curandero guides guests through a temazcal ceremony in the house of heat.
The design for the spa pods was inspired by flowers from local ceiba trees.
The soaking tub is positioned to capture the Pacific coastal view. above: Welcome the day with open walls, embracing the beauty of Naviva’s serene setting.
Thank you New Canaan, Darien + Rowayton Magazine for sponsoring New Canaan Community Foundation’s spring luncheon!
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Westy Mover Concierge
For over thirty years, Westy Mover Concierge has recommended select movers to thousands of customers in order to make their moving experience pleasant and at reasonable cost. Westy does not charge movers for the service, but insists that they satisfy our customers.
money matters
BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER
TALES FROM THE DIY TRENCHES
The roller coaster stock market of 2025 has been a wake-up call for DIY investors, many of whom have relied on years of record gains to stoke their confidence. Not recently, however.
“We’ve had a lot of people calling,” says Martin Maffei, senior vice president/wealth management at UBS Maffei Wealth Management Group in Westport. “In the past couple of years, people got a little spoiled.
But we look at this through a long-term lens. Corrections are healthy and normal.”
While the reassuring words could serve as a balm to jittery investors, many continue to make similar mistakes, Maffei reports. They:
Try to time the market.
One skittish investor confessed to Maffei in early 2024 that he’d sold all of his holdings after several tumultuous days of world events. Then, after months of watching on the sidelines as stocks soared to record highs, the investor bought back in again. “Remember, it’s always time in the market, and not timing the market. Often, the best days happen during bear markets,” says Maffei, noting that investors who missed the best five days in the market since 1988 would have reduced long-term gains by 37%.
Stash too much money in cash.
The bad news is, inflation lingers. The good news: interest rates remain attractive to savers. That
attraction has led some investors to keep their money in cash vehicles like CDs, money markets and high-interest savings accounts. Beware, Maffei warns.
“It’s still a bit of an illusion. As long as inflation is present you’ll be losing purchasing power over time.”
Overlook tax-advantaged accounts such as HSAs.
“I think we don’t talk about HSAs enough,” Maffei says. “They really can be looked at like an investment account and a supplement to retirement savings.” Health savings accounts enable holders to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for medical expenses, lowering their taxable income in the process. In the meantime, if holders don’t use that money for medical bills, they can invest their HSA money. At age 65, they can withdraw the money penalty-free.
Have too many accounts. What with 401(k)s from various jobs, high-interest savings accounts, Roth IRAs, a cache
of crypto, and your day-job, keeping track of everything may lag in importance. The time has come, Maffei says, to consolidate, “at least for the sake of your beneficiaries. Where it really gets messy is when there’s an estate issue and there are dozens of accounts and nobody knows where they are. Make sure your accounts have beneficiaries on them, which supersedes what’s on the will.”
Forget to diversify.
A lot of DIY investors seek the hot holdings, without a nod to diversification and asset allocation, Maffei says. “They might know they have a concentrated position but they don’t necessarily do anything about it.” While that seems fine when the market rises, when the position gets hammered, it risks a freefall with no buffers. Many advisory firms use derivatives, options, calls, puts and more to help mitigate risk. These tools can be beyond the financial ken of even savvy DIYers.
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you’re guided by investment professionals, don’t forget to review what you have, where you have it, and why you have it. Whether quarterly, annually or twice a year, compare your holdings to their benchmarks and to your long- and short-term goals. “Things change very quickly. We want to make sure that whatever we did last time we met is appropriate for the future,” Maffei says. “You have to have a disciplined approach. You don’t want to let greed drive your decision making.” Amateur investors often use past performance as a measure of success, but that doesn’t predict future results. Instead, scrutinize each holding as you did when you acquired it, then decide whether it should stay or go.
Martin Maffei
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people&PLACES
Carriage Awaits
History buffs celebrated the Jim Bach Special Collections with a grand opening at New Canaan Museum & Historical Society. Named after Bach, a historian and longtime resident, the new building houses a restored 1825 carriage, a print shop and the studio once used by painter Addison Millar, a founder of Silvermine Art Colony. nchistory.org »
1 Jim Bach and family members Lauren Bach Sapienza, Meredith Bach, Kim Bach Como, Lucy-Ann M. Bach, Pam Jameison, Alison Bach. 2 Janice Luddy, Carroll Yanicelli 3 Dede Bartlett, Betty Branch, Jim Bach, Janice Luddy 4 Paul Stone, Nancy Geary, Mark Markiewicz 5 Betty Branch (front row, right) and family
6 Sarah Casey, Larry Caldwell, Andrew Ault, Alec Casey, Mark Markiewicz 7 Steve Karl, First Selectman Dionna Carlson
8 Jennifer Volmer, Ed Volmer, Allison Douglass 9 The Jim Bach Special Collections Museum
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARYALICE GELHAUS
JIM BACH SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / New Canaan Museum
Game On!
uests learned to rally, dink and stay out of the “kitchen” at the Depot Youth Center’s Pickleball Social and Fun-Raiser. The players competed in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, along with a contest to challenge the pros. Sporting preppy attire, they also vied for Best Costume and a shot to win exclusive trips and experiences in the silent auction. Novices tried their skills on learn-to-play courts, while guests mingled on and off the courts. A DJ kept the crowd moving throughout the night. dariendepot.com »
DARIEN DEPOT FUN-RAISER / Pickleball America
1 Ted and Erika Rodormer, Shannon and Jonathan Keefe, Julie and Simon Seguss 2 Chris and Kimberly O’Brien, Kevin and Cami O’Brien 3 Depot Event Committee: Anne Fox, Shannon Keefe, Amy Daniels, Jennifer Morici, Kristen (Kiki) Levinson, Vicky Coghlin, Sarah Godshaw 4 Annie Zawacki, Amy Walton 5 Christopher Swope, John Flippen, Jessica and Jim Caulfield, Jeanne-Marie and John Scura 6 Conor and Doreen Godfrey 7 Amy Daniels, Eliza Sheffield, Sarah Mackie, SJ Zaremba 8 Scott Witthuhn and Armel Jacobs Witthuhn 9 Larry and Jordan Castellani 10 Shay and Ray Karczewski
Julia Zottner, event sponsor and founder of Prepchester (see page 22 for more), with her husband Tommy.
FROM BEACON TO CLASSROOM
Lighting the Way Forward
At this year’s Light the Night event, you can help us launch a new era of hands-on education and coastal exploration with the R/V Sound Keeper — a vessel built to inspire the next generation of stewards, scientists, and storytellers
With your support, this floating classroom will provide safe, sustainable access to the Lighthouse and bring learning to life along our shores — connecting students and the community to the history, ecology, and future of our coastline.
Light the Night · May 21st · 6-9 PM Wee Burn Beach Club, Rowayton, CT
The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) recently held its annual Pediatric Benefit at the Rainbow Room in New York City in support of the Lerner Children’s Pavilion. It was an inspiring evening led by cochairs Mary Kathryn Navab and Alexander Crisses, honoring Darien resident and paralympic silver medalist Ali Truwit with the HSS Children’s Champion Award. The evening raised $2.6 million to further HSS’s mission to provide the highest-quality musculoskeletal care to young patients. hss.edu »
1 Dr. Bryan Kelly, Ali Truwit 2 Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi, Lynette Buck, Dori Solomon, Robert Yaffa 3 Dr. Douglas Padgett, Patsy Warner 4 Alexander Crisses, Ali Truwit, Mary Kathryn Navab 5 The iconic view from the Rainbow Room 6 Sara Weiner, Peter Sabbeth, Lara Schwartz Lerner, Dr. Daniel W. Green
Heartwarming
Afternoon
Blossom Hill welcomed guests with open arms at a Valentine’sthemed event, For the Love of a Child. Held at New Canaan Playhouse, the luncheon featured a flower bar, chocolate bar, signature cocktails, specialty teas and a shopping experience. Fellow “galentines” dined and shopped for a cause, while supporting Blossom Hill’s mission of education for peace. Proceeds from the luncheon will be used to “transform the lives of displaced and at-risk children and youth globally.” blossomhill-foundation.org
1 Eva Landeggar, Justine Landegger, Shiva Sarram, Vanessa Landegger 2 Eileen Thomas, Laura Dobbin 3 Erna Szekeres, Eva Levine 4 Jess Heckerling, Lisa Silver, Lauren Nussbaum 5 Helen Ramos, Shiva Sarram, Janet Hartwell, Rosy Nimroody 6 Lally Jarvik, Afsaneh Amir-Aslani 7 Steffi Badanes, Danika Landers, Jess Heckerling 8 Fatou Niang, Alicia Meyer, Julia Stewart, Jessica Knowles, Sara Bakker 9 Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, Shiva Sarram 10 Flower bar
BLOSSOM HILL’S GALENTINE’S LUNCH / The New Canaan Playhouse
Queen Gems of
After Rowayton Seafood did a rebrand of the restaurant and market, owner Kevin Conroy wondered “What next?” The answer is A FLOATING OYSTER BAR NAMED PEARL.
photographs by KATHARINE CALDERWOOD
by ELIZABETH KEYSER
While Pearl will remain docked behind Rowayton Seafood, guests will still enjoy all the perks of being on the water—from the fresh salt-water air to spectacular views of the Five Mile River.
PEARL , A RESTORED VINTAGE WORKBOAT, HAS DOCKED ON THE FIVE MILE RIVER AND IS OFFERING A ONE-OF-A-KIND WATERFRONT EXPERIENCE IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
The historic vessel has been lovingly transformed into a floating oyster bar serving refreshing drinks, a raw bar and light fare. It’s a casual, sporty space with a six-seat high-top table. Along the port and starboard sides, stools swivel so guests can socialize while also enjoying the prime riverfront scenery. A retractable grey and white striped awning, providing shade and shelter, hangs from a refurbished wooden boom.
The new oyster bar will be docked just behind Rowayton Seafood (Pearl will not be cruising this year). Standing on deck, guests feel the fresh salt-
left: Pearl offers a unique outdoor experience to residents and visitors of Rowayton. right: A cold local beer served with fresh local oysters.
above and right: A perfect afternoon spent aboard Pearl—enjoying good company, fresh seafood, specialty cocktails and breathtaking views.
water air, see the glistening river and relax to the rhythmic motion of the boat on the water. Pearl’s flag flies from the restored wood mast while happy tropical music plays against the percussion of the bartender shaking icy cocktails. The menu offers a curated selection from Rowayton Seafood, easy to eat from take-out containers while standing or perched on a stool.
NAVAL HISTORY
The arrival of Pearl on the Five Mile River is the culmination of years of searching, designing, planning and building. A few years ago, Kevin Conroy shared his idea for a floating oyster bar with his friend Norm Bloom, owner of Copps Island Oyster Company, a regular supplier of
TROPICAL MUSIC plays against the PERCUSSION of the BARTENDER shaking ICY COCKTAILS.
“ I FOUND the BOAT YOU
RE LOOKING FOR.
—Norm
”
Bloom, to Rowayton Seafood’s Kevin Conroy, upon spotting her in a Milford boatyard.
fresh seafood to the restaurant and market.
One day in September of 2023, Conroy’s phone rang and Bloom said, “I found the boat you’re looking for.” He had spotted the 40-foot oyster and clam dredge in a Milford boatyard. She was in bad shape, but the size was right and there was potential.
Originally built in 1946 as supply vessel for the U.S. Navy by Peterson Builders, an American shipbuilding company that was the main contractor for the Navy, she was converted into a clam and oyster dredging boat in 1960, and spent the following decades harvesting fresh seafood in the Long Island Sound.
For the last 20 years, Chuck Viens in Port Milford captained and ran her for his Charles Island Oyster Farms. After Conroy bought the boat, then named Mohawk, Viens agreed to work on the restoration. Conroy designed the layout.
“Working with my restaurant team and project manager, we designed the bar area to fit refrigeration equipment, a tap beer area, custom bar shucking station and prep area,” says Conroy.
The entire Conroy family pitched in their areas of expertise to transform Mohawk into Pearl and her new role as floating oyster bar. Son Wilson planned the operational and practical aspects of serving guests food and drink on a boat. Brand Manager Barbara and daughter Grace oversaw aesthetics, branding and marketing.
The renovation grew more complicated as the project evolved.
“We started at the bow of the boat and worked out way back to the stern,” says Conroy.
left: Kevin Conroy and his friend Norm Bloom, owner of Copps Island Oysters. above: Before her transformation, Pearl looked similar to Bloom’s Cultivator
SHIP RULES & REGS
BOTTOMS UP
Pearl is for adults, 21 and up. No children or pets are allowed onboard. And no jumping off the boat.
Pearl is available for standard, standingroom reservations (1.5 hours aboard the boat) Wednesday through Friday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9:00 p.m.
Reservations are required and can be made up to a week in advance. Guests may book a private dockside event with passed appetizers, platters and raw bar.
GALLEY MENU
There is limited seating onboard, but you don’t need sea legs to stand—perch on a stool or, if you are lucky, snag a seat at the long high-top table.
The menu focuses on Rowayton Seafood favorites
A raw bar including Copps Island oysters, clams and shrimp; chips and dips (RS’s house-made potato chips with whipped ricotta, smoked seafood dip, tuna tartare or splurge on the caviar); fried favorites including calamari, cod and truffle fries. Our favorite when we tried it last October was the tuna sashimi flatbread. And yes, of course, Pearl offers lobster rolls.
The bar menu features three signature cocktails:
PEARL’S PUNCH
Rum blended with pineapple, orange and cherry juice with a dark-rum floater
WALK THE PLANK
Spicy, jalapeño-infused tequila with lime and pear juices
SHE SELLS SEASHELLS
Aperol infused with strawberries, vodka, lemon and grapefruit juices.
Limited additional cocktails include a Dark & Stormy, Aperol Spritz, gin and tonics and martinis. Local beer in draft and cans, and wine by the glass, including Rowayton Water rosé, sancerre, prosecco, chardonnay, cabernet and pinot noir.
“ WE WANT TO GIVE as MANY GUESTS as POSSIBLE the OPPORTUNITY to
EXPERIENCE PEARL
— Barbara Conroy, Rowayton Seafood
Viens and his team removed all the steel oyster rigging and booms to make room for the bar and refrigeration equipment. They tore up the old decking and replaced it with nonslip fiberglass and grey grit finish. They pulled down the old railings, found and milled wood to build higher railings and installed the bar top. “They are much harder to maintain,” says Conroy, of the wood surfaces. “But they’re authentic for the boat’s era, and they look great.”
In the wheelhouse, they restored the original mahogany siding and had more milled to match. They rebuilt the engine, installed a generator, new wiring, electronics and radar, a new shaft and propeller and new battery charging system. Behind the wheelhouse, Conroy designed a space that is no ordinary “head” (the nautical term for a bathroom). A skylight sends sunlight and shadows bouncing across the white bead board.
“I wanted it to be functional, but to feel and look authentic to the era,” says Conroy. “People say, ‘That is a beautiful bathroom for a boat!’”
WAYPOINT: ROWAYTON
The United States Coast Guard has now designated Pearl a “Vessel of Historical Interest.”
Per Coast Guard regulations, Pearl is allowed 30 guests on the boat at any given time, so reservations are required, and there is a time-limit for being aboard—although it allows plenty of time for guests to soak in the atmosphere, have a drink and enjoy some fresh seafood. “We want to give as many guests as possible the opportunity to experience Pearl,” Barbara Conroy says of the 90-minute time limit.
Whether guests reserve for weekend lunch, a sunset drink or evening dinner, there’s only one challenge: No one wants to disembark. But no worries—once ashore, guests can always extend their experience in Rowayton Seafood’s large, covered dock patio, interior dining rooms or bar. Just keep the party going with a second rezy at the ready.
. ”
by jill johnson
Spring is a time of awakening —flowers are blooming, brooks are babbling, baby birds are preparing to fling themselves from the nest … It’s the perfect time to harness all that curious, eager energy and awaken a new passion. Try a new look, sign a new lease on life with a different approach to your health, expose your kids to creative or athletic pursuits, pamper yourself or just pack a picnic with the best local fare and take in the sweet summer weather and a water view. Here are some wonderful ways to explore the Good Life in 2025. »
mann
SUNSHINE
and SUMMER BREEZES AHEAD! There’s no better time to DINE BY THE WATER , maybe even in a BATHING SUIT . Check out these casual options and QUINTESSENTIAL NEW ENGLAND MEALS , no primping or tablecloths (except maybe paper ones) necessary.
Note: It’s completely coincidental that a timely theme of immigrant American-dream stories emerged in this list!
Nothing says summer in New England like a scrumptious lobster roll. Pick up the best in town at Greenwich Fish Company and head down to Tod’s Point for lunch and a dip in the Sound or a sunset picnic. Owner Victor Alvarez is passionate about selling only the finest-quality wildcaught or responsibly-farmed fish. Victor was a teacher in Guatemala before immigrating to the States and becoming a student of the restaurant and seafood world. He learned fast and helped expand a leading fish market to multiple locations. He then met Karina, an expert fish cutter, who helped him fulfill his dream of opening Greenwich Fish Company and captured his heart, too.
The name of the grill may change, but one thing remains a given at Compo Beach’s eatery: buttery lobster rolls (or the cold mayo version). Just hit the beach with a towel and flip flops, and leave the food and drinks to Hook’d, which caters to the sandy-footed crowd with a casual cafeteria-style line and picnictable seating in an open-air pavilion. Elevated offerings like salads and fish tacos balance out the standard burger-and-hot dog beach fare—plus irresistible greasy fries for all.
Tote a gourmet picnic from Palmer’s to Pear Tree Point Beach or Weed Beach in Darien. Palmer’s Market has been in the family for five generations, which is why everything they do is time-tested and done right. Palmer’s began as a butcher shop over 100 years ago, launched by young Italian immigrant Rocco Joseph Palmer. Now their excellent butchery is complemented by a bakery, prepared meals, produce, specialty items, catering, a flower shop and a gift shop. The Palmers who run the store today combine an array of business and culinary degrees to continue the Palmer’s dedication to integrity, legacy, ambition and charitable spirit. »
Grab take-out and a table on the porch at the back of Rowayton Market anytime of day for a serene, low-key snack or meal, overlooking Five Mile River. Sip a coffee or ice coffee in the morning with an egg sandwich or pain au chocolat or enjoy a Caesar Salad at lunchtime or one of the Market’s gourmet bestselling sandwiches: the Crockett, East Beach, Indian Trail or the McKinley. At sunset, nibble on gourmet cheeses, or indulge in a cheesesteak. Then ponder what the river was like in the mid-1800s when packet ships stopped at this very market (one of the oldest in Connecticut), delivering meats, produce and dry goods.
drsordersbakingco.com
Daniel Reardon has been obsessed with baking since hovering over his mother’s shoulder in their Indiana kitchen. Fortunately for us, he now resides in Connecticut (and New York), and the Doctor is ordering us to indulge in the exquisite cookies he has been fine tuning since he was a midwestern boy. You may have seen his cookies sprinkled around New Canaan, including at The Playhouse. His “prescriptions” come in the forms of: Kitchen Sink Cookies (there’s even a gluten-free version), Peanut Butter Cookies, Brown Butter Blondies, Carrot Cake and a whole host of drool-worthy medicines in-between. Go for the Assorted Dozen to try them all. And don’t forget Roo’s Dog Treats for your furry pals. The DRs. ORDERs Baking Co. also offers catering, which, of course, is sweet.
1835 Post Road East, Westport HOURS: Wed.–Sun. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (or until sold out) fattoamanobreads.com
You know those stories of people eating carbs in Italy and not feeling the same slump they experience here? This new artisanal Italian micro-bakery, Fatto a Mano, brings you the fine ingredients and timetested recipes you’d find in the old country. Enjoy fresh sourdough bread, focaccia, pannetone and pastries—all naturally leavened. You may have already tasted these goods at the farmer’s market or Wakeman Town Farms. The brickand-mortar shop means your breadbox will be full all week. »
Drs. Orders Baking Co., Brown Butter Cereal Bars
Fatto A Manno
THE GOOD LIFE IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE. We want to FEEL GOOD ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, to tend to our appearance but not obsess about it, to find the MOST REWARDING CAREER PATH and navigate the bumps with ease and HELP OUR KIDS LAND AT THE IDEAL COLLEGE FOR THEM (without either of us going batty in the process!). FROM A BROW MAKEOVER TO A LIFE REBOOT , the services and mavens you need to COMPLETE YOUR LIFE MAY BE RIGHT HERE in this list of editor FAVORITES.
theessayconqueror.com @conquertheessay
Life is not good when you must constantly nag your slothful teens—whose attention spans have been reduced to the length of a TikTok video—to write their college application essays. Enter the Essay Conqueror. Suzanne Gannon is an award-winning journalist and essayist whose work has appeared in titles like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Town & Country. Now her college-bound students are amassing a new list of wins for her: Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Duke, UCLA, Berkeley, Brown, Dartmouth, Northwestern, UVA (her alma mater), University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin and more. Suzanne has a way of pulling out kids’ quirks and helping them highlight their individuality. No nagging necessary. Coaching sessions are via Zoom and commence with a 20-minute complimentary consultation.
juttaguiati.com
Finns are known to be some of the happiest—and healthiest—people on the planet. But rather than jet over to Scandinavia to unearth their secrets, you can get a life and career reboot right here, from Jutta Guiati. Described by one of our editors as “the most effervescent Finnish woman,” Jutta is a corporate career coach who offers personal coaching. She has guided stay-at-home moms back into the workforce; enabled stressed professionals to thrive at work and find more joy at home; and helped individuals establish, stick to and achieve ambitious career goals. Is this your year?
Westport/Online newwaywriter.com
Have a film or TV pilot idea you always wanted to get down on paper? Whether you dream of selling a script or are just looking for a creative outlet, Hollywood screenwriter GiGi New will help you find your voice and master the challenging art of storytelling for the screen. Work one-on-one or in groups in her Westport studio or online. Offerings for teens and aspiring film school students will help them catch the attention of top programs. Check GiGi’s site for upcoming classes and workshops.
Aileen Barcia has been beautifying eyes for eight years after falling in love with her wedding lashes. She offers lash extensions, lash lift and tint, eyebrow waxing, tinting and lamination. Her clients call her a magician and love the ease of low-maintenance always-glam lashes. Aileen also swears by the lash growth serum she sells. Her site features an array of eye-enhancing products like Fluff Up Lash Wands, Cool Down Eye Masks, Lash Bath Gel and Foam Cleanser.
972 Post Road (Suite 202), Darien 203-939-0077 skinstudioct.com
173 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich 914-565-5229 fabulousbrowstudio.com @fabulousbrowstudioct
What Fernanda Ortega wants is for her clients to feel fabulous every day of their lives. Her highly skilled handiwork with enhancing lashes and brows is a sure way to bestow a bright-eyed outlook. Fernanda is a certified artist in 3D microblading, microshading and powder brows. Her specialty is the hyper-realistic brow technique, a micropigmentation that yields the most natural results. Other services include eyelash extensions and lash lift, brow lamination and semipermanent makeup applications—lip blush, powder brows and tightliner. Clients rave about Fernanda’s work and the warm and welcoming feel at her studio. Fernanda recently became a U.S. citizen and also got married in a small ceremony—in her boutique!
Skin Studio has had its own glow-up recently, moving to a luxe new space above the Goose in Darien. Clients rave about the glowing results of laser treatments here. Offerings include: Facial Wrinkle Release (Botox, Dysport and Xeomin), Studio Secret IPLxResurfacing laser, Sculptra (an injectable treatment that stimulates collagen production and restores facial volume), Morpheus (a skinrejuvenation treatment combining micro-needling and radio frequency technology), Glo2 Facial (a noninvasive treatment that oxygenates, exfoliates and hydrates the skin), dermaplaning facial, chemical peels, laser hair removal, Keralase (for hair loss) and more. Those who want to go all in can indulge in the Holy Grail: a combo of Morpheus8, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and Ultra Resurfacing Laser technology.
1698 Post Road East, Westport thebeautyloftspa.com
Detox your body from the inside out at Sofia Guerrero’s Beauty Loft. Word is that The Beauty Loft’s lymphatic drainage massages have a cult following. Rejuvenating facials, lash and brow enhancements and teeth whitening are also on the menu. Bonus: The Beauty Loft is located within Kara Mac’s A Place to Glow spray tan boutique. »
HAS A FAVORITE NEW SHOP OPENED in your neighborhood? Better yet, HAS ONE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS OPENED ONE?
Stamford Town Center 100 Greyrock Place, Stamford shopstamfordtowncenter.com/ stores/hey-stamford
“Hey Stamford!” blogger PJ Kennedy has opened a Hey Stamford! shop in the Stamford Town Center. The proud native Stamford resident (his family has been here since 1879) has stocked the fourth-floor store with merchandise like sweatshirts, PJs and more, repping different neighborhoods. The T-shirt that reads, “Stamford runs on hot oil” (a nod to Colony Pizza) was a huge holiday hit.
it all. Founder Katherine Kane, who has been passionately designing and making jewelry since she was a kid, has moved the chic jewelry brand’s headquarters from Nolita to Fairfield County. Each piece is handcrafted, just for you, by artisans in K Kane’s workshops in the U.S. Stay tuned to find out where she opens up her shop, to which every stylish woman in town and savvy gift/ring-buying man are sure to flock!
Love Bella founder Ellie Zieminski prides herself on treating each client in her boutique like a girlfriend— meaning she won’t let you buy something that doesn’t make you look and feel great. Not to mention, your Love Bella shopping spree—a floral maxidress, a summery suit for work, a fun mini dress, a fashionforward top—won’t break the bank either. Stamford is the fourth is
k-kane.com; @kkanejewelry
From the coolest letter charm necklaces and bracelets for a casual summer day to exquisite diamond rings for the Big Day, K Kane does
K Kane, Fine Friendship Link Stud
K Kane, Protection Golden Age Studs
K Kane, Fine Friendship Skinny Ear Cuff
Spice, Westport
location after successful boutiques in Larchmont, Rye and Charleston (a store Ellie opened with her sister in 2019). The North Carolina native now lives in Stamford with her family and furry friends, so shopping at Love Bella means showing some love for a neighbor. The beaded pouches make sweet gifts for everyone on your love list.
888 Post Road East, Westport
HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; 203-293-6910; saatva.com
Mattresses, huh? How does this fit in this list? A sound night’s sleep is foundational to a good life, people! Saatva has opened a viewing room in Westport, where you can test out mattresses before purchasing and enjoying a 365-night home trial. Saatva assures its beds support proper spinal alignment for a healthy, happy back. Mattress toppers come with a 180-night home trial. Saatva also sells bed frames, the coolest bedside lamps, benches for foot-ofbed storage, serene bedroom chairs, rugs and candles—for the finishing touch on dreamy bedrooms.
Longtime Westporter Susan Altschuler has opened a Sconset Square outpost of her Delray Beach shop, Spice. The name is not about what you put on food. It’s about those good things that bring a little spice to life: housewares, décor, gifts, art, fashion. There is even Tiny Spice for the wee ones, with the most adorable baby clothes. The shop has character, flair and heart. When Susan came across a gorgeous coffee table book on Los Angeles in January, she immediately put in an order and earmarked the proceeds for the L.A. Red Cross. »
257 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich
48 Reef Road, Fairfield
110 Main Street, New Canaan
HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
203-814-9198
no-299-ct.myshopify.com
No. 299 has opened a new location in Old Greenwich, bringing curated goods for home and her to Sound Beach Avenue. Shoppers looking for gifts or some shopping therapy will find unique dishes, tumblers, stoneware, hand-painted measuring cups and butter dishes, home fragrance, candles, frames, jewelry, apparel, bags and more. Owner Jackie Fucigna infuses a vintage vibe with her love of mixing old and new.
We are an artsy bunch here in Southern Connecticut. THE ARTS HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE POWER to turn a dull day into a MAGICAL ONE, to cradle us fully IN THE MOMENT, TO LIFT UP the marginalized, TO GIVE VOICE and VISION to anyone who can stand on a stage, type a script or hold a paintbrush. ART, MUSICAL THEATER, CINEMA, IMPROV, WRITING, JAZZ, WOODWORKING— there are ENDLESS CREATIVE and CULTURAL ACTIVITIES here for kids and adults.
like in the 1700s at the Bush-Holley House), Artful Adventures (learn about the Cos Cob Art Colony and the artists who lived and created in the Bush-Holley House) and Historical Happenings (for senior campers to explore history from Colonial times through the 19th century). Family and friends are invited for Family Fridays from 2 to 2:30 p.m., to see what their campers have created.
47 Strickland Road, Cos Cob 203-869-6899; greenwichhistory.org
Art & History Camp kicks off on July 14 for second- through eighthgraders. Campers enjoy a highly interactive exploration of the unique history and art of Greenwich across the Historical Society campus. Weekly camps include Colonial Connections (discover what life was
19 Stephen Mather Road, Darien 203-202-7602; matherhomestead.org
The Mather Homestead dates back to 1778. Stephen Tyng Mather was the founder of our National Parks System. What better place to take a breather from our fast-paced, digital world and enjoy an art lecture on Impressionist gardenscapes (Wednesday, June 11, 12:30 p.m.), a seminar on the lyrics of Bob Dylan (Thursday, July 31, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), a kids’ book club and craft, or a week of art plein-air for those eager to paint, draw or photograph among fellow artistes (Sunday, June 8 to 15 with a lunch on Wednesday, June 11).
palacestamford.org/arts-educationprograms
Theater kids will love the Palace’s “Triple Threat Performer” summer camp—a two-week intensive musical theater program from Monday, July 7 to 18 (ages 9–16). Program director Luis Salgado, Broadway Assistant Choreographer of the Tony-winning show In the Heights, emphasizes making art with a purpose while immersing students in the dynamic components of musical theater. Classes (Musical Theater, Body Percussion, Latin Fusion, Song Interpretation, Hip-Hop and more) are taught by New York artists from Salgado Productions.
Congregational Church 524 Pequot Avenue, Southport 917-361-7765 mybroadwaybootcamp.com
In its 24th year, Broadway Boot Camp offers three three-week sessions (third through tenth grade) throughout the summer and a new two-week session (K through second grade) the second half of July, each culminating in a musical production staged at Downtown Cabaret Bridgeport during the final weekend of each session. The rehearsal days include acting and dance classes, scene and music rehearsals, performance games and a whole lot of theater-kid glee!
Toquet Hall & Saugatuck Congregational Church, Westport triplethreat.us
Cynthia Gibb’s Triple Threat Academy has an array of programs for young thespians and future SNL improv actors, but some of the most enthusiastic goofballs on their stages lately are the students in the growing Adult Improv class on Monday nights. Why should the kids have all the fun? It’s impossible to ponder your to-do list when on stage thinking on your feet or watching in stitches. The staff includes two teachers who cut their teeth on the L.A. improv scene: Keith Contreras-McDonald (Upright Citizens Brigade) and Mike O’Hara (Second City). Contreras-McDonald, a Juilliard grad and professional actor based in New York, also comes out to teach an Adult Acting scene-study class on Tuesday evenings. »
Think you have to head to Greenwich Village to find a great jazz club? Think again. For two years, the Jazz Society of Fairfield County has been bringing celebrated jazz artists and promising new talent to a venue overlooking the Saugatuck River and boasting fabulous acoustics: Westport’s Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399. Every Thursday evening, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., jazz enthusiasts, music lovers and anyone looking for a little toetappin’ decompression should make it a weekly tradition. It might be worth the trip just to hear notes played on the 1937 Steinway—formerly the house piano at the famous Village Gate jazz club in New York City.
151 Main Street, New Canaan 203-594-5000 newcanaanlibrary.org
The beautiful New Canaan Library green opened last year, and many events are in the works for your openair enjoyment. Groove on the Green, a must-hear free music event, hits the Green on Saturday, May 17. This year’s event will bring a country twang to the Green with the upbeat country music band Shot Down, as well as line dancing lessons to make the outing an active and contagiously fun one. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic dinner to enjoy on the Green.
93 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-594-1200 cinemalab.com
The historic New Canaan Playhouse reopened last year, giving the discerning film buff a venue with style, history, and more than your average Blockbuster flicks. Cinema Lab, the company behind the revamp, believes that “movie theatres that were once the literal and metaphorical heartbeat of the community should be reimagined as the social and entertainment soul … the backbone of the high street.” The Pub offers delicious fare and a full bar. The Marquis Lounge on the second floor provides a membersonly retreat. The lounge and theater are both available for private rentals. Keep a lookout for fun local events and movie screenings followed by Q&As with local writers and directors.
If you haven’t experienced a concert at this spectacular venue, get your tickets now! The summer lineup is as star-packed as ever, with a slew of nostalgic treasures, including Ringo Starr, Counting Crows, Rick Springfield, Barenaked Ladies, Styx, Chicago, Toto, Goo Goo Dolls, James Taylor and even Jerry Seinfeld. Tedeschi Trucks Band is so popular they are playing two nights. VIP lounges, suites, clubs and fare abound, but there is no bad seat in this breathtaking, canopy-covered, open-air venue. The place even has marble public bathrooms. Enjoy warm summer breezes and local food from Garden Catering, Gotham Burger, Lil Pub, Nordic Fish, Freskos Greek and many more. »
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, and Stamford Health have opened a new outpatient center in Westport. The nearly 10,000-squarefoot location offers orthopedic appointments and on-site X-rays. Physical therapy services are available at another HSS–Stamford Health collaboration, open since 2022—HSS Sports Rehab Westport (1547 Post Road East). Westport happens to be the birthplace of HSS’s third Surgeonin-Chief, William B. Coley, MD, born in 1862. HSS also has locations in Wilton (195 Danbury Road) and, of course, Stamford (in the Tully Health Center and Stamford Hospital).
104 Heights Road, Darien 22 Pine Street, New Canaan 20 Elm Street, Westport 888-663-6331 onemedical.com/locations/ct
Amazon’s One Medical has arrived at your doorstep. Primary care doctors here care for adults of all ages, including seniors on Medicare. From physicals and screenings to gynecological care and mental health services, One Medical offers everyday and preventive care. Sameday appointments and 24/7 video chats with providers are part of One Medical’s commitment to the ease of the healthcare experience for its members.
AT THE ROOT of the GOOD LIFE is GOOD HEALTH. New medical centers are popping up in our towns, along with NEW APPROACHES to FEELING GOOD . While we have wonderful hospitals in Fairfield County, FINDING HEALTH CARE RIGHT DOWN the STREET CAN BE A RELIEF when the alternative might be a busy ER or faraway imaging center. JUST NEED a SOOTHING SOUND BATH, NUTRIENT IV or REMEDY for BRAIN FOG? READ ON ...
877 Post Road East, Westport 203-557-0644 restore.com/locations
Cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, compression, IV therapy, skin health services and more … Develop a wellness plan at Restore Hyper Wellness, and get in on the movement launched by triathlete Steve Welch in 2015. Reduced inflammation, reduced muscle aches and pain, increased collagen production, enhanced mood and better sleep are just some of the benefits of these innovative treatments.
184 Selleck Street, Stamford 203-973-7768
950 Post Road East, Westport 203-303-9933; spotonvet.com
203-717-4777 groundedmeditationstudio.com
Even though stillness goes against the grain of us uber-busy folk, it’s what we need most! Grounded Meditation, founded by attorney-yogi-healer Diane Barnett (who knows a thing or two about the fast-paced life), offers a menu of meditation styles, reiki, dancing mindfulness, sound healing and more, in group or privates, with virtual options. The latest events are drawing the calmest of crowds to be bathed in the sounds of crystal and Himalayan bowls, chimes, gongs, drums, bells and Native American flutes in backyards and at partner locations like Carriage Barn Arts Center (New Canaan), Nielson’s Green House (Darien) and The Healing Sanctuary (Fairfield).
516-447-8024; phlowiv.com
Are you ready for IV therapy but prefer the drip be administered in the comfort of your own home? No problem. Phlow IV’s registered nurses come to you, with rejuvenating IV treatments for postpartum women, migraine sufferers, fertility, flu, hangovers, rehydration, energy and more. Clients also frequently report: “No more brain fog!”
Versailles Medical Spa offers all kinds of face and body treatments, but the one that people are buzzing about from the spa’s health and wellness menu is IV therapy. These nutrient infusions boost beauty, energy and hydration. Tailored blends serve each client’s specific needs: anti-aging, weight loss, overall wellness, performance boosters, fat burners, immunity boosters and the popular “Myers’ Cocktail.” Unlike the kind you get at happy hour, it will make you happier and healthier.
World-class care, conciergelevel customer service, luxurious environment—clearly this is the place for your pampered pooch or queenly kitty cat. The Stamford location on the Greenwich border houses a stateof-the-art veterinarian hospital, plush pet hotel, doggie daycare, a grooming spa and training services. A new location in Westport (in the former Men’s Wearhouse site) is open seven days a week. Recovering pets have toddler beds and even TVs in their rooms, as well as cameras so owners can keep a watchful eye on their furry friends from home. Dr. Phillip Putter and his wife, Rebecca, run the business and care for all creatures, great and small. Spot On also makes house calls and offers valet service to pick up pets and drop them home— mended, groomed and clearly living the good life.
1055 High Ridge Road, Stamford 203-890-9200
36 McKinley Street, Norwalk rowaytondogpark.com
Because dogs need fresh air, a nice run, recreation and social time to maintain their good life! Dogs go off leash in this expansive, fencedin meadow. Chances are, the furry visitors will make friends at Rowayton Dog Park and so will their owners. Perks include doggie bags, fresh water, benches and a rinse-off hose. »
Squash used to have that twobusinessmen-whacking-away-whiletalking-stock-deals kinda vibe. But these days, squash as a youth sport is growing like mad. At Chelsea Piers, the program is led by the incredibly lovely good-guy Will Newnham, who also happens to coach the Darien High School team and previously coached at Ox Ridge and King. Newnham has coached top-ranked junior players on the international level, but he is just as passionate about teaching the game to those who are looking for some fun and a social connection.
Greenwich Youth Football Club greenwichyouthfootball.org
Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich bgcg.org
Flag football has become such a big deal that the tackle-free game will be an Olympic sport in the 2028 games. Stamford Flag Football is so well run and popular that talks are underway with multiple locations to continue to the middle school years, possibly beyond. Teams are coed. Dedicated players even keep making touchdowns after the snow flies; Greenwich Boys and Girls Club has run an off-season, indoor winter league since 2019. Greenwich Youth Football caters to first- and second-graders in the fall and firstthrough eighth-graders in the spring. Wherever you live, your town is sure to have a flag team.
The Clubhouse Westport 1620 Post Road East, Westport 203-292-3169 theclubhousewestport.com
Not your average golf course, The Clubhouse Westport is an indoor activity and social hub with full-swing golf simulators, Dartsee dart boards, two karaoke rooms, a full bar with the largest video wall in Westport and an extensive pub menu to rival any country club’s. A rooftop bar will appeal to those who like to lounge more than walk the links. Owners Tim and Emily Zobl are University of Michigan alumni, so all major U Mich sporting events are a party at the Clubhouse complete with an Ann Arbor-inspired menu. (Wear your maize and blue.) Multiple spaces
or the whole shebang can be rented out for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, bachelor nights or corporate events.
Greenwich Water Polo is the only East Coast team even uttered in the same conversation with the renowned California squads. That said, CT Premier, which practices out of Chelsea Piers, is steadily improving its ranks and sending recruits to top schools. Kids come from all over Westchester and Fairfield County to learn what is arguably one of the most physically strenuous and mentally demanding sports. Players are constantly swimming and treading water, so they need strength and endurance, while also needing to handle the ball with finesse. The summer programs at local shore and country clubs are also gaining in popularity.
Sure, there are a lot of rowing clubs in our coastal towns, but one of the programs at Westport’s Saugatuck Rowing Club is notably unique. If you happen to notice a sea of pink-clad rowers in a pink boat gliding along the Saugatuck River, mostly likely you are watching a group of breast-cancer survivors pulling with all their might and celebrating pulling through. “Empowering breast cancer survivors one stroke at a time” is the program’s motto. Formed in partnership with Smilow Family Breast Health Center at Norwalk Hospital in 2018, the program is free of charge, reaffirming that fact that rowers have big hearts. Donations to support the program, which helps these women feel like they are flying and walking on water all at the same time, can be made on the website. G
Grace Farms
365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan 203-920-1702 gracefarms.org
Yoga studios abound in our towns, but the yoga on the first Saturday of each month at serene and otherworldly Grace Farms is a full experience, including acoustic accompaniment and a cup of tea from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee. Instructor Pilin Anice, a wellness guide, believes in connecting, healing and evolving through Ayurveda, yoga, self-care, dance and drum. She is also on faculty at Kripalu and Ailey Extension.
Pilin Anice of Grace Farms
HOMES WITH HOPE – GATHER ‘ROUND THE TABLE 2025
THANK YOU, DESIGNERS, FOR AN INCREDIBLE EVENT YOUR CREATIVITY & GENEROSITY MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!
Patricia Scanlan Designs
THANK YOU SPONSORS & PARTNERS FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
Barbara & Greg Joseph • Lauren & Brian Schiller • Jane & Ben Carlin
Molly Alger & Jay Dirnberger • The Rabinowitz Charitable Foundation
Karen & Toly Spheeris
hwhct.org
fresh flower bar
DOUGLAS WRIGHT Douglas C. Wright Architects HEIDE HENDRICKS Hendricks Churchill
JOSH GREENE Josh Greene Design
MELISSA REAVIS Hollander Design
ZOË FELDMAN Zoë Feldman Design NEAL BECKSTEDT Neal Beckstedt Studio
Nominations being accepted in the following categories:
Most Involved in the Arts
Most Dedicated Committee Member
Outstanding Philanthropist
Outstanding Teen Volunteer
Best Friend to Children
Best Health Advocate
Lifetime Achievement
Best Friend to Seniors
Most Involved Couple
Corporate Good Neighbor
HOMETOUR
Platinum Sponsor
Katie Kingsley
Reach New Patients Showcase Your Expertise
Over 1/4 of ALL Moffly Media magazine and website readers use our annual Top Dentists list as part of their search for providers.
16th Annual
TOP DENTISTS
Dental Profile Special Section
• Special section following our annual Top Dentists editorial feature, within our popular July/Aug Best of the Gold Coast issue
• Reach an audience of 200,000+ families and local residents
• One year inclusion in our online dentist directory
• Bonus issue distribution to local events reaching health-conscious families, charitable organizations and community influencers
Issue Date: July/August 2025
On Newsstands: July 1, 2025
Commitment Date: May 12, 2025
Contact Gina Fusco at Gina.Fusco@moffly.com for more information.
ThankYou!
to our participating restaurants and this year’s sponsors!
2025 SPONSORS
10TH ANNIVERSARY RESTAURANT WEEK
2025 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Coffee for Good Constantino’s Pasta Bowls Casamigos
DiMare Pastry Shop The Ginger Man
Refinery
Silent
Townsend
Build Awareness. Reach New Clients.
Legal Profile Special Section
• Special section following our annual Top Lawyers editorial feature
• Annual guide to Fairfield County’s law firms & legal experts
• Custom profile created for your practice
• Reach an audience of 200,000+ families and local residents
• One year inclusion in our online lawyers directory
• Bonus issue distribution to local events reaching families, charitable organizations and community influencers
• 65% of our magazine and online users are willing to pay more for a service that has won an award1 .
Wednesday, July 23 • 6:30-9:00 p.m. (Rain Date Thursday, July 24) Harbor Point, Stamford
MAY 1
The Next Generation of Dance, under the artistic direction of Francesca Harper.
An evening with David sedaris
MAY 19
A book reading, audience Q&A, and book signing with the bestselling author and humorist.
MAY 3
TWO PERFORMANCES! Recommended for ages Pre-K through 3
Celebrate 50 Years of Jaws at the Playhouse with this screening and post-show conversation with Mark Shanahan.
with David sedaris MAY 5
Stay tuned for the title announcement of our May Script in Hand playreading!
The critically acclaimed play based on real behind-the-scenes events from the movie Jaws and co-written by Ian Shaw, son of Robert Shaw.
Scan for a full list of events!
Photo credit: Anne Fishbein
Photo credit: Nir Arieli
Day & Boarding School Fair
May 7
postscript
by
GREAT ISLAND AWAITS
Darien has ushered in a new season of public access with the reopening of Great Island. A roughly one-mile walking loop allows visitors to immerse themselves in the island's tranquil atmosphere, offering captivating water views, sprawling meadows and glimpses of the former estate’s main house and horse stables. Great Island access is limited to pedestrians only from sunrise to sunset. Additional access information can be found at darienct.gov
eileen murphy • photograph by nicholas venezia
Top cancer care close to home
heart
At Norwalk Hospital, part of Nuvance Health Cancer Institute, the brightest minds are with you at every step of your cancer journey. Teams specialized in each type of cancer offer you expert care, personalized treatment plans and access to the latest clinical trials. Because top care close to home means you can focus less on treatment and more on the moments that matter most to you. nuvancehealth.org/cancerinstitute
