Stamford Magazine, May/June 2020

THE SOCIAL MEDIA ISSUE 6 PROS ON THE SECRETS OF DIGITAL SUCCESS PLUS: Getting attention on Instagram // Ecommerce gifts // Networking with moms // 4 daily-use apps

AT OUR BEST Finding the community’s shared purpose

HOW WE RESPONDED TO THE HEALTH CRISIS A LOCAL-LEVEL MINDSHIFT ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FASHION RECHARGE WITH BOOKS, MUSIC, MOVIES AND A YARD GAME

Shippan Point The shelter of a private spot along the coast

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contents MAY/JUNE 2020 vol. 11 | no. 3

48

departments 10 PRESIDENT’S LETTER

by jonatha n mof f ly

12 EDITOR’S LETTER

by diane sembrot

15 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ David Kooris HAVYN BioFASHIONtech Stephanie Horn My Blind Bag kits 4 apps to use everyday Lovesacs Gray Matters DO How we faced COVID Avon Theatre Ferguson Library Cornhole Bow Tie Cinemas food Stamford Nature Center Stamford Symphony

feature

48

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

GO Mercedes-Benz GLC 63

One-on-one with Fairfield County social media bloggers and stylists: Elizabeth Ariola Julia Dzafic Jenn Falik Liz Joy Morgan Matkovic Stephanie Trotta

EAT Over-the-top Instagram feeds in Stamford 43 PEOPLE + PLACES 46 FINANCE FIX 63 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Here’s inspiration to up your digital status.

64 POSTSCRIPT

by e m i ly l i e b e rt

by d onna mof f ly

on the cover a quiet retreat in shippan | cover iphone photo gr aphy by garvin burke cover note For our social media issue, we used the tool of choice—the iPhone— to capture this image.

STAMFORD MAGAZINE MAY/JUNE 2020, VOL. 11, NO. 3.

STAMFORD MAGAZINE is published bimonthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to STAMFORD MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. stamfordmag.com

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CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

above: Liz Joy, of Pure Joy Home

Home is where your healthcare is with Virtual Visits There’s promise in getting care anywhere Your place. Your time. Your peace of mind. Connecting to a primary care, urgent care or specialty doctor or clinician has never been easier. Whether you have allergies, cold/flu symptoms or need a follow-up appointment, Virtual Visits are a convenient way to get the care you need, wherever you are. It’s just one more way we’re here for you.

New and existing patients can start at

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Health Quest Medical Practice | The Heart Center | Western Connecticut Medical Group

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CELEBRATING THE SCENE STEALERS OF OUR CITY

BEST OF THE GOLD COAST .

And because you love your town most of all, we also share the Best of Town winners. Did your favorites, win?

We will all know soon.

EVENT

Keep an eye out for news on our big celebration of the winners at the Best of Gold Coast Party. You can head over to BESTOFGOLDCOASTCT.COM for updates.

LET’S TALK

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JUMP ONLINE FOR OUR ARTICLES AND POSTS ON INSIGHTFUL LOCALS WHO HELP US ALL LIVE BETTER

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See it in their own words in our Highlights “Community.”

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TOP: GEORGETTE YACOUB BY JASON AND MAGGIE HENRIQUES; CALIFORNIA CLOSETS, CONTRIBUTED; BELOW: GETFITMOM_ BY CHRISTOPHER APPOLDT; SMARTPHONE BY © I380632883310 - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; ARROW BY © REY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

PRINT

In the July/August issue, we reveal the winners of our highly anticipated readers’ poll:

YA R D TO TA B LE

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Successful Real Estate Sales Demands Hard Work Your Choice of a Real Estate Professional is Easy

vol. 11 | no. 3 | may/june 2020 creative director

Amy Vischio–amy.vischio@moffly.com

editorial

executive editor

16 years of successful real estate experience $240,000,000 in sales ~ 30 annual transactions

Cristin Marandino–cristin.marandino@moffly.com editor, fairfield living; westport; stamford Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com market editor

Megan Gagnon–megan.gagnon@moffly.com assistant editor

Joey Macari–joey.macari@moffly.com contributing editors

Elizabeth Hole–editor, custom publishing Julee Kaplan–editor, new canaan • darien copy editors

Terry Christofferson, Kathryn Satterfield contributing writers

Carol Leonetti Danhauser, Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick, Malia Frame, Elizabeth Hole, Emily Liebert editorial advisory board

Harry Day, Juanita James, PJ Kennedy Jamie Krug, Michael Marchetti, Arthur Selkowitz Jami Sherwood, Lou Ursone

art

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contributing art directors

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“What is most important to Barbara is what is most important to her clients. She understands that real estate is about people and not just houses.

Barbara thrived on helping our family navigate the entire process with care and getting the deals efficiently to the closing table.” ~Chris Micka

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Taylor Stroili–taylor.stroili@moffly.com senior photographer

Bob Capazzo

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president’s letter

MAY 2020 / JONATHAN MOFFLY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Economically, it is dire for so many.

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

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

stamfordmag.com

10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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editor’s letter

MAY/JUNE 2020 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT

I

In It Together Know someone going above and beyond?

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

Email diane.sembrot@moffly.com

t’s a fair bet that in March your life turned upside down. Ours, too. Completely upside down. I don’t know if anyone can explain how one day we were counting the days to spring cornhole competitions, and the next we were afraid to leave our homes. And, yet, it happened. In fact, we were ordered to stay home. Everything changed, from how we picked up the groceries to our plans for our children’s schoolyear. Uncertainty became the new norm.

We at the magazine felt it. I’m not sure people realize that we are a small, familyowned and family-run business. We do this work because we love it and we deeply appreciate where we live. Just like the small businesses across our city, we took a hit, and the way we had been working wasn’t possible— we had to adapt quickly to the new reality.

We did. We accepted what was happening: businesses were temporarily closed, our friends and neighbors were nervous about getting sick, and we had no way of knowing when things would return to normal.

But that didn’t mean we didn’t still have our skills and our passion for, and faith in, this wonderful place, our dear Stamford. We asked ourselves how we could help. In the first couple of weeks—when there was a lot of confusion about what businesses and restaurants were open—we collected and shared their messages.

We let people know exactly how they could support their favorite Friday night pizza joint, go-to salon, inspiring fitness studio, or beloved

stamfordmag.com

12

toystore stocked to the ceiling with fun games.

Stamford places stepped up in the heartfilling way, too. Stamford Tents and Marcia Selden come to mind for their donations to the brave, talented and dedicated healthcare workers at our local hospitals. The more we can support them and the work they need to do, the more they can give. Donations from local businesses and residents helped address both critical needs and the weariness of the magnitude of the challenges our city, region, state, country and world faced together.

We decided to publish this issue, not knowing what was ahead. We wanted to cheer on our local arts venues, museums and town institutions that creatively launched virtual programs. We wanted to celebrate the generous donations businesses gave because they could.

And we wanted to thank you—all of the people who listen to the stay-at-home order, who home-school your children, who care for a sick relative, who believe (as we do) that things will get better. We don’t pretend to be an international newspaper or an investigative magazine; we are a lifestyle publication, and our job is to care about the people here. I hope you find this issue to be an uplifting break in your day—a chance to re-set and remember that we depend on one another. I want this issue to say: We love you, we miss you and we’re here for you.

WILLIAM TAUFIC

TIME TO CHANGE

121 Towne, Stamford CT (right next to Fairway) 203 541 5770 thedevcollective tacodaddystamford

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

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

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

Nominations being accepted in the following categories.

We will choose two honorees in each category.

Adult Child Health Care Professional Nonprofit Business

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buzz STATUS REPORT

AT THE CENTER

left: Stamford resident David Kooris sets the vision for downtown

DAVID KOORIS IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE DOWNTOWN SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT by joey macari

W

hile the news has been overwhelming lately, there are good moments to enjoy and take as a sign for the bright future of Stamford’s Downtown. After its longtime president and founder, Sandy Goldstein, announced her retirement from the Downtown’s Special Services District (DSSD), David Kooris was appointed as her successor this past January. His election is encouraging, as his reputation and achievements across the state precede him.

Now he has the opportunity to prove that Stamford Downtown is vibrant, dynamic and the place to be.

Since 1992, Stamford Downtown (stamford-downtown.com) has established itself as the very core of the city, serving as businessimprovement district and producer of concerts, parades, public art exhibits and a myriad smaller events throughout the year that inspire a deep sense of togetherness and culture within the growing community.

As its president, David Kooris manages a team of professionals responsible for development policy, ensuring that public infrastructure and private

focusing on coordinating publicsector infrastructure investment to best prepare communities for private-sector growth while enhancing environmental sustainability and quality of life for all. There, he was responsible for orchestrating the placebased components of the state’s economic development strategy, including transit-oriented development, brownfields, capital projects, waterfront, historic preservation, the arts, tourism and opportunity zones.

Before state service, Kooris was the director of the Office of Planning and Economic Development and Executive Director of the Redevelopment Agency for the City of Bridgeport. He oversaw ten departments in the creation of the city’s revitalization strategy and its execution in tangible public and private investments.

He currently sits as the Chair of the Board of Connecticut Port Authority, is a former Stamford

investment work together to continue to make downtown its most vibrant.

Kooris has always been about people. He received his bachelor of arts in anthropology and geography from McGill University in Montreal, and a master’s in city and regional planning and a Master Certificate in urban design at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to Stamford Downtown, he served as deputy commissioner at the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development,

MAY/JUNE 2020 STAMFORD

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elected official having held seats on the Board of Representatives and Board of Finance, is active on many local Boards, including that of the Mill River Collaborative, the Stamford Partnership and the Veterans’ Park Partnership, and is also a lecturer at Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. A Stamford resident, Kooris would oversee the Alive@5 concert series, an event the community has grown to love and look forward to each summer, as well as recurring events, including the City Challenge Race, Bark in the Park, ArtWalk, Brews on Bedford and Make Music Day. While the pandemic presents challenges for us all, he says he is “confident that, when we re-emerge, Stamford Downtown is uniquely well-positioned to provide the spaces and events that will allow our community to come together again in the ways we will so fervently need.” Let’s look forward to the days ahead.

buzz

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

GET TO WORK F

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16

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

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

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

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

KITCHEN SHOT BY CHRIS BOJANOVICH; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

HAYVN at the center of coworking and connecting now by eliz abeth hole

BUSINESS NOW T

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

everyone into our sanctuary.”

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

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

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

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

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

17

he space is closed during the health lockdown, with limited access only for people with dedicated desks and private offices. Flex-desk members must contact Felicia for options. You can find updates on its site and through its Instagram posts and stories. You can try its SLACK group and sign up for emails. The VIRTUAL HAYVN COMMUNITY started in March. HAYVN launched HAYVN HALFTIME, for virtual events and gatherings. Tune in at noon for a daily lunch meeting featuring a twenty-minute presentation and a ten-minute question-and-answer period.

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

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

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

buzz

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

Public Relations, Marketing & Advisory Services

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 // How has coworking helped your business?

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

Katy Kinsella

Julia Ford & Claudia Wood

Natural Products Sales & Marketing

Jewelry Brand Owners

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

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

2 // How has coworking helped your business?

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

KK: “The women and men at HAYVN are doers. Everyone is encouraging of each other’s projects and wants to help in any way they can. It truly is a collaborative environment where you want everyone to win. GOpure has been a sponsor of the HAYVN HATCH pitch slams, and it’s amazing to see what people are working on and how creative and passionate they are for what they do. I love being a part of the entrepreneurial environment. There’s an unmatched enthusiasm you feel from a roomful of creative minds, thinkers and executors.…I love educating and inspiring people and companies to be healthier.

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

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

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

1 // How has coworking helped your business?

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

2 // What does “KVO” mean?

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

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

4 // Why name jewelry after certain people?

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

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

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buzz A FORWARD-THINKING ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION LAB LOOKS DEEP INTO OUR CLOSETS

B

ioFASHIONtech is an ecological fashion lab that grew out of TILL, a think tank community-based studio that inspires action on a local level. An acronym for Today’s Industrial Living Landscapes, TILL is on a mission to examine environmental hazards, particularly those of brownfields (former commercial sites that are often contaminated) and figure out how to regenerate them to create a safer, cleaner world. TILL was founded by Jane Philbrick, a passionate artist, writer and teacher who has taught all over the world. “I believe our task is to reinvent how we live on Earth, starting with regenerating areas like brownfields and making smart choices in real estate development that don’t harm the planet,” she says.

Several years ago, she had an aha moment.

“As I was asking questions about what kind of places we want to live in, how to build for the future in a holistic way and how to bring about social and economic vitality to rundown areas, designers were asking these same questions about how to make fashion more sustainable and environmentally friendly,” she explains. Philbrick notes that fashion is a $2.4 trillion industry and many choices by manufacturers and consumers affect the environment. “If we can model positive change, starting with what we wear, it can help inform and shift the culture,” she says. After drawing

this parallel between fashion and the earth, BioFASHIONtech (tillbft.com) was born. She says it “models a new relationship with our world, transforming how our clothes are made, what they’re made of and where we choose to buy them, while simultaneously educating the consumer.” BioFASHIONtech began in 2017 with a community conversation called “Runway Earth: The Fashion Designer and the Earth Scientist in Conversation,” organized by TILL in Westport. Philbrick paired up designer Jacob Olmedo, who makes hydroponic couture

by malia mckinnon fr ame

(wheatgrass sprouted on a wool-base fabric), with a climate scientist she knew from Harvard and MIT to speak and raise awareness about the crossover between a healthy climate and healthy fashion. At an 2018 event held in at the Bruce Museum, Olmedo was paired with the cofounder of the Boston Open Science Lab to model an ecological fashion start-up.

Last year, bioFASHIONtech installed a pop-up lab in the Stamford Mall and hosted three designers commissioned to produce capsule collections of eco-clothing. Last summer at the inaugural bioFASHIONtech Summit, her team held over thirty-five free public workshops, from basic sewing to hand-spinning wool yarns.

Lectures about sustainability and the climate encouraged people to build a better relationship with clothes. “We learned that people want to be helpful, doing things from reducing their carbon footprint to buying clothing made of sustainable materials. At a local level, this makes all the difference,” she adds.

This June, they hope to return to Stamford and reprise “Runway Earth” to launch an ecologically positive fashion collection with forty-five looks and ninety garments, including a children’s line, all produced on premises. “We have a finite planet and we’re ripping through it,” she says. “How can people learn to make small changes every day that actually move the needle and are gentler on the earth?” left: TILL: bFt 2c pinafore dress, crafted in upcycled lyocell-and-cotton blend fabric (body and lining), 100 percent cotton sewing thread, and 100 percent cotton fusible (shoulder straps, welt pocket opening and buttonholes)

above: Yunjo Lee wearing top with slits on side seams and sleeves.; upcycled fabrics: raw silk from studio donation, overstock cotton and silk lining from Fabscrap below: Designer Yimin Deng-Wen at fitting, Stamford Station

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PHOTOGRAPHY AT TRAIN STATION BY JIHYEONG HAN; CHILD IN WHITE AND WOMAN IN BLACK BY YIMIN DENG-WEN

CLOTHES MINDED

above: Stephanie Horn is on the go, helping moms across Stamford

MOTHERLY ADVICE

TALKING EVERYTHING FROM STROLLERS TO SUNSCREEN WITH STEFANIE HORN

S

How did you start Stamford Moms?

“Stamford Moms is part of The Local Moms Network, which started in Greenwich in 2016.

When they were looking to start a Stamford site, a friend put me in touch.

It ended up being perfect timing because I worked in TV at the time and two weeks after deciding to start Stamford Moms, I found out the show I worked on was ending.

It’s been so much fun

combining some of the skills I learned as a television producer with my knowledge of Stamford and my daily life as a mom of two young children.”

What’s it like raising a family in Stamford?

“I love Stamford because there’s a little something for everyone. You can be at the beach, shopping downtown or hiking in the woods all in a matter of twenty minutes or

schools and daycares and the big one: What’s there to do this weekend or during a school break? I love getting questions because it allows me to see what my followers are interested in, and I keep their questions in mind when creating content.

I want everything I post to answer at least one person’s question about parenting in Stamford.”

What three things should every Stamford mom have?

“First is the Stamford Moms 2020 Summer Camp Guide. It’s a list of camps in Stamford for toddlers through high school age, all in one place. This way, parents don’t have to go crazy Googling. Summer in Stamford is the best.

There are farmers’ markets, outdoor movies, concerts and more. So, we will be posting guides to all

less. Plus, we have a wealth of resources at our fingertips to help parents raise healthy, smart, happy children.”

What questions do parents often ask you?

“I get a lot of questions from parents with new babies, and from parents who are just moving to Stamford trying to navigate the area. Many ask what neighborhoods are family-friendly or for information about ●

COURTNEY SOUZA PHOTOGRAPHY

tefanie Horn knows what it’s like to have your hands full. A mother to a precocious toddler son and infant daughter, she knows that it’s not always easy to do all the things she wants to do. Even seemingly quick tasks, like Googling “best organic baby food,” somehow eat up a substantial amount of valuable time. Inspired to “give moms the gift of time,” she founded Stamford Moms, a website and social media group that appeals to busy, on-the-go moms in the city. It’s a place to browse the latest products, discuss topics in a community forum and connect with other moms and, yes, dads, navigating through the all-consuming and wonderful world of parenting. Stamford magazine talked to this “mompreneur” about how she got her start, frequently asked questions and in-the-know summer 2020 tips.

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by joey macari

of those fun activities as schedules become available. The calendar on stamfordmoms .com is constantly being updated with activities and events in our area that will keep children and teens entertained during the summer. I’d say the third thing to have at your disposal as a mom is a plan for an activity you’ll enjoy and that will give you a little break. Whether it’s heading to your favorite nail salon, going to the beach alone for a few hours or finding a restaurant with great margaritas, remember that summer is a time for the whole family to relax and have fun— you’re included in that.

So, mark days and times now when you will take a little time for yourself and stick to that plan, just as you would stick with plans you make for your children.”

What inspires you?

“What inspires me are the questions I’ve had as a parent. What activities are available for a specific age group?

How do I figure out what daycare is right for us?

Where is the nearest urgent care? The Local Moms Network was designed to give moms the gift of time, so I want to do the research and answer questions like those for other parents.

Also, as a Stamford native my love for this city really inspires me.

I’ve enjoyed seeing how much Stamford has changed over the years and I love highlighting the exciting events, businesses and opportunities available.

I’ve had a chance to work with some amazing businesses and being able to help connect them to the community is a lot of fun.”

buzz

d a il y d ig it a l ess e n ti a ls

SURPRISE!

4 Sanity-Saving Apps That I Use Every Day

GOOD THINGS ARE IN THE BAG by diane sembrot

J

ill Dunn and Melissa Granata White think women should treat themselves with a surprise gift regularly—so they cofounded My Blind Bag. Each month they select a few goodies and bundle them up for their subscribers (as well as for one-off purchases). At only $22.50, there’s zero guilt—plus, the value of what’s in the bag is always higher than the fee. The fun of it is not knowing what you’ll get and to think of it as simply a gift, from women to women. Each month’s kit has its own unique theme, so

have elevated “…there’s an app for that” to an adage. (I’m on my phone all the time.) Recently, I’ve downloaded apps that help me stay productive and tend to my well-being. Here are four that I can no longer live without, not just for work goals, but also personal ones.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

“We like to think of our social media pages as a way for us to connect with other women,” says Jill. “Social media posts and personal interactions are ways we get to know the needs and wants of the women who order My Blind Bag. We love to engage and respond to questions and comments. Social media gives us instant access to our customers. It also gives them a chance to learn more about us, who we are and that we are relatable, everyday, hard-working moms who want to bring joy to other women who are like us.”

DEAL ALERT! Magazine readers, you can get 20% off your first bag! Just use code MOFFLY20 with your order.

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NIKE RUN CLUB Fitness studios are temporarily closed, but I still want coaching—so I found an app. This one tracks my run data, gives coaching and changes as I get better, and lets me connect with others.

I can take a guided run with Headspace.

HEADSPACE This app taught me about meditation. I can work on sleep, anxiety or healthy living and watch segments that guide me through the lessons. The short animations work in my tight schedule, and the narrator’s voice is ultra-calming.

WOEBOT In this app, I message back and forth with the cutest little robot, Woebot. Relying on an intuitive interface, this CBT (cognitive behavioral training) helps me to think about how I’m feeling, thanks to Stanford psychologists. I’m coached about my worries, yet it feels like a super-short check-in from a wise friend.

MEALIME This meal-planning app offers super-easy, real-life recipes, most of which I can complete in about thirty minutes. I choose how many dishes to cook each week, then which ones, and the app creates a shopping list, which I easily cross off as I pick up items. The recipe directions are always clear and accurate.

—Diane Sembrot

PHOTOGRAPHY: JILL AND MELISSA BY YVONNE MARCHESE; HAND © HAND ROBOT - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

above: Jill Dunn and Melissa Granata White, the women behind the treats

I

you are sure to get new delights each time. The February kit, for example, included lip-shaped chocolate wrapped in hot-pink foil and a diamond-shaped necklace. All of the selections were tucked into a cherry-red cloth pouch emblazoned with the wise words: “Do everything with love.”

It’s about having fun, staying positive and empowering women to trust that they deserve a treat. Choose a one-, three-, or six-month subscription with free shipping or send one gift to a friend. What if you don’t like what’s in the bag? No refunds, but you can always re-gift. If you know someone who might like to try it, use the referral link; each time it’s used, you get $5 and the buyer saves $3. Also, they launched an affiliate program, so anyone with a large network (such as YouTubers, bloggers and influencers) can earn commission for sharing.

More at myblindbag.com and @myblindbag on Instagram.

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buzz

GET COMFORTABLE WESTPORT COZY-AND-CREATIVE NEW FURNITURE STORE, LOVESAC by diane sembrot and joey macari

CEO and founder. “It’s big, it’s comfy, and it looks amazing next to other furniture.” Instead of a sectional, try infinitely adaptable Sactionals: “Starting with just a Seat and a Side, Sactionals allow you to create a couch that will always meet your needs. Change the covers, rearrange it or easily move it to a new home.”

The attention to providing overand-above comfort is impressive.

For example, instead of a blanket, try tucking your toes into a Footsac. “Lovesac Footsacs are big enough for two and come with a

built-in foot pocket to keep your toes toasty warm.” Also, you can charge any device inside your Sactionals. The Power Hub fits into any Sactionals Side, even if you already have Sactionals at home. And, of course, there’s secreted away storage, too.

The Sactionals Seats and Sides are meant to be adaptable, so that they can easily and quickly fit into a variety of spaces. The pieces are interchangeable, like cushy Lego pieces, making a chair, then a loveseat. See the website for a video of how easy it is to change them up.

Plus, here’s an extra feel-good tidbit about Lovesac: The company is committed to sustainability as well as comfort.

Some 600 bottles go into the fabric of the average Sactionals configuration, and that reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise add to landfills each year. “As we continue to expand our showroom footprint and grow the Lovesac brand, we also look forward to continuing to help people reduce their ecological footprint by creating products that are built to last a lifetime, designed to evolve with the customer, provide long-term utility and, ultimately, reduce the amount of furniture discarded into landfills,” said Nelson.

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above: Sactionals work by combining Seats and Sides, and accessories, like a cup holder, come in Hickory, Grey Ash,and Dark Walnut colors left: An example of a Sac, which comes in different sizes and more than 250 cover options. below: Founder and CEO Shawn Nelson

PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN SCHERB; HEADSHOT OF SHAWN BY CHRISTOPHER LOGAN OF CLOGANSTUDIOS

W

e could all use a little comfort right now. Actually, we could use a lot of it, especially at home. Lovesac is dedicated to that. They design and make the softest, plushest, coziest furniture imaginable. Consider the new Lovesac (lovesac.com) location that recently opened up on the Post Road. While showrooms closed because of COVID-19, shoppers could order online.

“The Lovesac SuperSac is perfect for lounging, napping and kicking back,” says Shawn Nelson,

WHAT LIES BENEATH

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

A

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

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

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

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

PHOTO BY © MILLETSTUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

WHO’S TRYING IT

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

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

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

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

The data gleaned from these scans is then

activity related to anxiety.

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

concussions “Often, the person in front of you will be talking about their challenges with mood injuries, but the question we’re asking is are those mood injuries the result of a concussion?” says Silver.

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

related to head traumas.

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

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

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Brain mapping could be the path to recovery.

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

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

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

do by diane sembrot

HOW WE DID IT I

YOU'RE COVERED above: Stamford Tent & Event Services responded quickly to install tents at medical centers, which urgently needed to expand to increase capacity.

Tents and Structures for the Medical Centers

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n a crisis, look for people doing good work. Today, see STAMFORD TENT & EVENT SERVICES, which provided temporary tents and structures to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this crisis, they looked not inward (how to help themselves), but outward (to see what the community needed).

As need for temporary locations for testing and food distribution increased, Stamford Tent stepped up. On March 24 the company reported

being in constant contact with state and local government agencies about how to help. “We have been happy to, and will continue to, supply our inventory to ensure that everyone in affected areas can get the treatment needed on a daily, weekly and even a monthly basis in this uncertain time,” noted the local business.

“With two locations [in Connecticut and Long Island], we are able to respond quickly to the needs of the communities

IMAGES FROM THE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS OF BUSINESS AS NOTED

LOCALS WHO FACED THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS BY STEPPING UP TO HELP

FEED THE SOUL

Special Deliveries

M

ARCIA SELDEN CATERING (marciaselden.com) is known for its amazing events, from weddings to gala fundraisers. Then the crisis hit and people had to shelter in place. “When this pandemic began to hit our community, we knew that we needed to pivot our business and take care of our clients to provide them with meals to fill their fridge and freezers,” says Managing

throughout the tri-state area,” noted Steve Frost, president. “We are repurposing tents that would typically be used for weddings, commencements and other social events to emergency testing sites and food distribution centers for schools and first responders.”

This is not new for the business. They report that since 1953, they have contributed their resources, including tents and temporary structures, during crises. “As

Partner and Executive Chef Robin Selden.

“They’ve supported us for forty years and we need to now be there for them when something as simple as going to the grocery store doesn’t feel safe anymore. We design weekly menus with everything from full entrees, snacks and beverages that are delivered contact free to their homes.” They also launched Party in a Box, with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, for locals to enjoy at home. Deliveries are left safely on doorsteps.

Then came another way to help. “We are proud to partner with Food for the Front Lines to provide meals to our local hospital systems which are paid for by donations to them and or to us,” she says. The staff add handwritten notes and fun candy lips to show their support. (See

agencies continue their preparation and planning, we are open and available to be part of that process,” they note. Their staff get the tents and structures up and functional quickly. Calling on decades of experiences helping their clients in any event, no matter how complex, this contribution adds to townwide peace of mind. This spirit of giving is practical and inspirational.

More at stamfordtent.com and @stamford_tent on Instagram.

@marciaseldencatering and @foodforthefrontlines on Instagram). The family business nurtured us with food and inspired us with can-do attitude.

IN IT TOGETHER How the COMMUNITY Responded to the Crisis STAMFORD The city announced Stamford Together, a citywide volunteer program to help seniors, graband-go meals for students, testing-site needs, drivers for food delivery, and public-health needs by medical and public-health professionals (through Medical Reserve Corps).

above: Dropping off 100 lunches

THE GIVING TENT A donation tent was popped up outside at the Springdale School Little League field with supplies going to those in need.

Volunteers managed the donations.

SHIPPAN POINT ASSOCIATION The community started a Birthday Train, a caravan of friends sharing birthday wishes from a distance (in cars) and enthusiastic cheers for birthday boys and girls.

STAMFORD DOWNTOWN Instagram users were asked to leave a comment about who they supported and favorite meal to order.

Three winners got a gift card to the downtown business of their choice.

above: The finished tent with patient rooms—eighteen in all, to help our community.

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STAMFORDHEALTH They started the COVID-19 Hotline (203-276-4111) to address the community’s concerns seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

do

Helping StamfordHealth Help Us

0

n April 1 the Stamford Chamber of Commerce shared truly alarming news: “StamfordHealth is at the frontline of this unfolding COVID-19 crisis caring for our

the frontlines faced the increasing number of cases, local restaurants, like Taco Daddy, Tabouli and Elm Street Diner, brought food.

StamfordHealth continued to watch out for us, the community, too. They took to social media to share reminders about guarding our health, like moving our pets’ food dishes out of the kitchen, and offering advice for self-care, including links to dealing with anxiety. They also thought of the emotional needs of family and friends who wanted to be near to their loved ones who were patients— StamfordHealth couldn’t allow visitors inside.

Instead, they created a way for would-be visitors to send virtual messages of hope and positivity. They used a link to Cheer Cards (stamfordhealth .org/patients-visitors/ cheer-cards).

President and CEO of StamfordHealth, Kathleen Silard, MS, BSN, RN, FACHE, is a Stamford resident.

She released a personal and reassuring message in April, when her hometown dearly needed to hear it: “As a health system, we have robust infection prevention processes and protocols in place and have intensified our ongoing education, training and drills. Additionally, we are fortunate to have a

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above: Instagram stories on how local restaurants provide food and businesses, such as Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut, donated needed supplies.

above: StamfordHealth thanked the National Guard for its support during the crisis, while residents and police, firefighters and other emergency-service workers thanked the heroic healthcare workers.

hospital that was built with scenarios such as COVID-19 in mind.

We can accommodate a surge in demand, should it be necessary, and our isolation rooms and highly trained staff can effectively and safely handle infectious diseases.”

To keep us informed about care, she also

reminded us about the Stamford Health COVID-19 Hotline, 203.276.4111, stamfordhealth.org/ covid-19, for prevention tips and more.

This crisis reminded us all of how interconnected and mutually dependent we are. In Stamford, we looked out for one another.

PHOTOS: PORTRAIT BY JACEK DOLATA; ALL OTHERS FROM INSTAGRAM @STAMFORDHEALTH

THE FRONTLINE

family, friends and neighbors who are contending with this incredibly infectious disease. …As you know, there is a national shortage of what is called personal protective equipment, or PPE. And that shortage is impacting us right here in Stamford.”

It was calling out for masks and eye protection; disposable gowns, gloves, foot covers; wipes, hand sanitizer and even thermometers.

This was two days before Stamford was reported to have the most COVID-19 cases in the state. Others tried to help, too. As the healthcare workers on

do

GETTING CREATIVE

THE AVON THEATRE ENCOURAGES THE ARTS COMMUNITY

MOVIE REELS ©MIGUEL GARCIA SAAVED - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CELLPHONE @ARTEMPOHREBNIAK - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; FERGUSON ON COMPUTER FROM FERGUSONLIBRARY.ORG; LIBRARY BY DIANE SEMBROT; OTHER IMAGES

above: Head to the library's website for free downloads and more.

In March, The Avon Theatre Film Center, out of concern for its employees and the community, pressed pause on its services. They dimmed the house lights, but on its website— avontheatrefilmcenter.com—shared trailers of upcoming films. During the shutdown, the membersupported nonprofit dedicated to the art of cinema also started Avon Online: online screenings ($12 or less). Plus, the staff took to Instagram to share ideas for arts-lovers to find virtual resources. For example, for “Cinema Stumper,” they posted a glimpse of a production and winners received two movie tickets. They also let us know about the Facebook Live screening of Vincent van Gogh: A New Way of Seeing, hosted by @exhibitiononscreen; the free Thursday-evening streaming of The National Theatre plays on its YouTube channel; and ten free online art classes at artsy.net. The arts community banded together and shared creative ideas. below: Th

e Avon of

fered onlin

e screenin

gs.

CHECK IT OUT F

DIGITAL OFFERINGS FROM THE FERGUSON LIBRARY ind your quiet space outside, create a cozy corner for one on the back patio or claim your favorite part of the couch, because Stamford readers are ready for summer reading, even if it’s only late spring. The Ferguson Library offers downloadable eBooks, eAudio, movies and more for free. (Head to its website, fergusonlibrary.org, for information.) Also try the SimplyE.app (an app for browsing, borrowing and reading eBooks on your mobile device—all free with your library card); search for it through Ferguson Library. Also, students can get free online tutoring through Tutor.com, available through the library’s website.

If you need assistance, send an email to refdesk@fergusonlibrary.org or try a virtual chat at fergusonlibrary.org/virtual-chat. Not sure what to read?

Consider the Reader’s Choice book The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. In this book, Anthony Peardew bequeaths his lifetime collection of lost objects to his assistant, Laura, who must return each item to its owner.

It was meant to be the book for discussion. Might as well read ahead.

above: When the library is closed, it still has plenty to offer online.

a holesome sport It’s time to practice your CORNHOLE skills at home

above: Snap shots from last

ation and pu McCann, educ Park r at Mill River ge na ma s ram

above: Trent prog

year's cornhole season.

blic

S

pring 2020 is unlike any time we have ever known. At press time, we cannot predict what will happen with town events, including the annual Cornhole League season at Mill River Park. But that does not mean we can’t play at home, so we are sharing an overview of the game to get you into the swing of things.

Some of you may want to play as quaint as the origins of cornhole—that is, thinking it’s “just a game” in which players toss a beanbag onto a slanted ramp. Others though may think much more of it. With Stamford’s Cornhole League (millriverpark.org), for example, the competition typically runs from spring to fall and is governed by the rules and regulations of the American Cornhole Organization. League players toss the beanbags in Mill River Park, taking their best shot, time and time again, as they strive to win the bragging rights of Cornhole Champions. It takes just two registered players to start

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(register online), and new teammates can join later.

For each showdown, the teams take on two other teams in two rounds of play for best in three games. Two players from the team may go at a time and must start and finish the game, but new players can join in the next round.

Subs are welcome to step forward and help when registered team members can’t make a game. The teams usually must commit to a six-week program; if a team misses two consecutive weeks, they’re out and a waitlisted team is added in its place. New ones sometimes join in, but returning teams have the advantage of a forty-eight hour “priority” window to register before registration is opened to the public. Joining early offers perks in the following season.

The fields, rink and events, including the cornhole league, is under the Mill River Park Collaborative (MRPC), a nonprofit, which relies on private donors, members and the City of Stamford. So, it’s expected that people will show up for the game, then stay for the food and drink. On game nights, you can buy beer from Half Full Brewery and snacks/meals from the Rich Pantry.

Trent McCann, education and public programs manager at MRPC, says his favorite part is “the camaraderie.”

Every year about two-thirds of the teams have played previously and it’s like a big block party or family BBQ. The league is just a lot of fun. It’s simple, it’s a great way to make friends and get outside on a weeknight.

MILL RIVER PARK NOTE At press time, the park was open, with social distancing.

See more at millriverpark.org.

PHOTOS:CORNHOLE FIELD BY BEN MICKELSON; PORTRAIT OF TRENT BY MILLRIVER PARK

do

SERIOUS BAGGAGE!

name your team

THE BAGS

PITCH PERSONALITY

6"

While you have to pitch the bag underhand, we don’t know of any rule that restricts putting your own spin on it. Here’s a few signature styles the Stamford magazine team has tested to varying degrees of success.

1"

Corn Kernels 100 plus

Weight 14-16 ounces

An official ACO cornhole bag is 6 inches by 6 inches, made with durable 10-ounce duck cloth and traditionally filled with corn feed but now are often filled with plastic resin.

If you want to bring your own bags, head to americancornhole.com/ bring-your-own-weapon for a list of bag manufacturers.

The Stress Monster The one-too-many workdays death squeeze on the bag and a flash release of the bag that leaves the results to “whatever.”

The UFO A whip release sends the bag off in a steady spin, flat to the ground, during the arch.

Left-Handed Over and Up For the technique contrarian, this toss sends the bag in a soaring arch with nearly zero rotation.

PHOTOS: CORNHOLE BOARD ©COACHWOOD - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; LORD OF THE BOARDS BY BEN MICKELSON

board approved

A selection of local team names, from clever to cheeky.

PG

R

The Sandbaggers Breaking Bags Lord of the Boards The Fun Bags Springdale Southpaws

Shut Yer Cornhole X

The Corn Stars Amateur Corn Stars Hardcore Corn

HALL OF FAME Choosing a team name is high priority— though some do push the limit. MRPC approve the names. “We have only ever said no to one team name,” says Trent McCann. “There are a couple of names that are a little risque but are cornholespecific enough that we let it slide.”

He adds that the organization itself sometimes joins in. “If there’s enough interest, we have a staff team: the Mill River Muskrats,” he says. “We’re not very good.” Below are the names of the champions from the past few years.

THE SURFACE Serious about your game? Then know that the playing surface should be finished—sanded to a very smooth texture with no blemishes in the wood surface that may disrupt or distort play.

It can be painted with a high-gloss latex paint or varnish. The surface should allow bags to slide when thrown but not be so slippery that the bags slide back down the platform.

THE HOLE Must be six inches in diameter, centered nine inches from the top and twelve inches from each side.

above: Michael Caminiti and Ben Mickelson of the five-time winning champs Lords of the Boards

Lord of the Boards fall and spring 2019 fall and spring 2017 fall 2016

FRONT HEIGHT The board is three to four inches from ground to playing surface.

BACK HEIGHT The board is twelve inches from the ground to the top of the playing surface.

MAY/JUNE 2020 STAMFORD

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Springdale Southpaws fall 2018

The Fun Bags spring 2018

do THE PITCH Never in your life will you think so much about how you throw a beanbag. Trent McCann says the secret is: “Consistency. Not that I'm very good at it, but the players who are really dominant are repeating the exact same motion over and over again.”

If you do nothing else, keep these ACO basics in mind as you approach your turn.

2

Pitch before time’s up (15 seconds).

3

Throw your bag from your designated pitcher’s box.

4

Make sure your bag does not hit the court or ground, even if it lands on the board.

What’s everyone talking about?

Here’s three key terms, thanks to ACO:

Sure, everyone’s welcome, but before you kick off a competitive game, freshen up on the bare minimum that you learned in your youth.

Woody

d, above: League or backyar

Alternating, you and your opponent pitch your four bags in your designated lanes.

Teammates on the opposite end keep score—then take their turn, tossing the bags back.

1

Keep at least one foot inside the pitcher’s box when you toss.

SLANG

the basics

A game is played to twenty-one points.

See the full rules at american cornhole.com/rules.

You can download the “ACO Cornhole Rules Guide” to be fully informed.

When someone tries to break protocol, you can call him or her out.

remember to have fun.

ruling party MRPC Cornhole League isn’t just winging it.

They follow the rules and regulations of the American Cornhole Organization (americancornhole.com), the governing body of the sport. Since its founding in Ohio in 2005, it has overseen memberships, tournaments, standings lists, conferences and more. The ACO website reveals a world of cornhole events and devotees—enough to make you wonder if UConn Stamford should teach Cornhole 101.

LONGEST GAME ON RECORD

6

Make a clean toss—your bag shouldn’t hit anything on the way to the board.

7

Pitch underhand— don’t get fancy, people.

8

Once you take that forward swing, release the bag. If you mistakenly drop it, it counts.

try this!

Target Don’t have a proper board?

Use two coffee cans nailed to a base.

Bags Fill eight old socks with dry rice, nutshells or dry beans.

A bag that makes the hole

A bag that’s not a woody or cornhole violates a rule.

The Cal Poly Cornhole Club broke the world record for longest cornhole game played May 18, 2018. After 27 hours, 12 minutes and 55 seconds of play on Dexter Lawn, Chasten, Billy Markham, Brian Finger and Nick Appen-Lippard made a new Guinness World Record.

If you’re playing in your backyard, get creative with the necessary equipment.

Cornhole

Foul Bags

scoring

5

In fact, make sure your bag is fully on the board, not touching the ground.

A bag that remains on the board at the end of the frame

Scoring Have a nonplayer serve as ref and scorekeeper.

Keeping score is not for beginners. It takes a lot of thinking, so be grateful if someone steps up to take on this responsibility.

Here are the very basics so you have some sense of what’s going on.

woody 1 point

cornhole 3 points

RAIN, RAIN…

math

Serious players find a way to play— even when it rains: “We postpone if it's too wet to play,” says McCann. “I build a rain date into the schedule and usually we end up needing to use it in the spring.”

above: Millriver players have competed under a tent to keep the season on track.

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32

In cancellation scoring, only one player/team can score in each frame, so the winning player cancels out the opponent’s points.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY COVID-19

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

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

do

above: From fresh veggies to popular choices, like sliders and pizza, the options at Bow Tie are impressive.

GOOD PREVEIW

YES, WE WILL GO TO THE MOVIES AGAIN (FOR NOW, WE GO TO PICK UP FOOD)

above: Fresh drinks to quench your thirst

full-service, to be enjoyed when movie going or not. Starting this spring, they offered curbside pickup. Once social restrictions are lifted, we can head to the theater lobby to catch a seat at the Majestic Bar. U-shaped, it seats twenty-five and features largescreen TVs to enjoy sports, music videos and films. Plan to take part in Movie Trivia Night or Ultimate Karaoke night as well as weekend brunch with mimosa flights and the daily Happy Hour (because we all need more happy).

Once the movies are running again, you’ll be able to order food—like Philly Cheesesteaks, Eggrolls and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites—at your seat. You’ll even be able to select a recliner seat in advance with online tickets.

You can support the theater at any time by buying gift cards online. Keep up with the news at bowtiecinemas.com.

Majestic 6 Theater, at 118 Summer Street. Before the crisis that had us all shut in, it had been utterly renovated for today’s audiences. The renovations include reserved luxury recliner seating in all auditoriums, a brand-new lobby with a full bar and bar menu, a new concession stand and new restrooms. Plus, it added a brand new BTX-BOW TIE XTREME® large-format auditorium with giant screen presentation and DOLBY ATMOS® 13.1 digital surround sound.

You also know it’s something completely different—before you experience it—because it includes a new restaurant and bar. Two years ago, Norwalk’s cinema got a luxe auditorium and bar service, but in November, Stamford stepped up its game—adding a full-scale restaurant kitchen and authentic bar, called Majestic Bar. The restaurant/bar portion is

MOVIES TO WATCH Until the cinema is reopened and showing the hottest releases, we’re watching movies at home. Here are TWO PICKS to consider for your movie binging. stamfordmag.com

34

FUN FACTS Bow Tie Cinemas is a family business. It was founded

by B.S. Moss in 1900, and four generations of family have been part of its story, from its early days in Vaudeville to its current standing as the oldest theater circuit in North America and one of America’s fifteen largest exhibitors.

Young Frankenstein

Butterflies Are Free

The late, great Gene Wilder was a Stamford resident. His movie career is too vast to list them all, but we wanted you to at least think beyond Willy Wonka. We pick Young Frankenstein because he made us laugh at scary things.

The late Eileen Heckart, a Stamford resident, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as the overprotective mother of a blind adult son in Butterflies Are Free (1972).

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY GONATION; POPCORN © ©VAASEENAA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

C

lassic movies are amazing. They’re films.

Glamorous. Moody.

Spectacular. They are a window into a different time. Today’s movies are nothing like the films of a generation or two ago. Now, so too are the cinemas. We’ve spent the spring watching movies from our couch and just can’t wait to experience films on the big screen again. Our first stop will be the local Bow Tie Cinema,

above: Check out virtual programs

above: Stamford Symphony Music Director Designate Michael Stern below: The symphony

PORTRAIT OF MICHAEL STERN Y BY CRANE SONG; ORCHESTRA BY DAVID SUSSAN; COMPUTER BY FENSKEY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; FERGUSON ON COMPUTER FROM FERGUSONLIBRARY.ORG; CELLPHONE ©NATEE MEEPIAN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM: LAPTOP ©PANITAN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM;

VIRTUAL, NATURALLY The STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER is known for its walks, camps, cooking classes, exhibits and more.

Usually, something’s happening. When we all got word about staying home, this cultural and educational resource came up with daily Facebook Live classes.

Head to its website (stamfordmuseum .org) for updates on its the rescheduled events and summer camps.

If you need a pick-me-up, check out its Facebook video “Goat Zoomies” (it was all of us at least once recently). below: Latest info is online

DULY NOTED

michael stern steps in as new music director of the stamford symphony

T

he bad news: STAMFORD SYMPHONY (stamfordsymphony.org) concerts were postponed. The good news: It welcomes Michael Stern, music director designate. “Michael’s artistry, energy and global network give us an opportunity, as a city and region, to elevate the symphony to the next level,” notes Russell Jones, president and CEO. “His leadership gives us the chance to imagine a larger orchestra capable of presenting even more challenging and inspiring repertoire. Further, we remain committed to bringing music to schools, historically underserved communities and the wider Fairfield County community.”

He has conducted such symphonies as Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Seattle and Boston as well as the Cleveland and Philadelphia orchestras and the New York Philharmonic. He has also led major overseas orchestras, including London, Stockholm, Paris and Tokyo.

About the current COVID-19 crisis, he says: “We are feeling unsettled without being able to predict what comes next. But music can be many

MAY/JUNE 2020 STAMFORD

35

things to different people at different times. I have always felt, for everyone, that music can be an antidote to fear. During this time, our being more isolated because of social distancing does not change our need for community, for one another and for music. The musicians of the Stamford Symphony are not going to stop making music, and we want you to know that we are here with you and for you. That’s why we created our new Stamford Symphony Channel —to allow us to stay connected with you, and for you to stay close to our musicians and to music.

We need to look forward together, and with hope and confidence, I can’t wait to start a new chapter for music and for the Orchestra in the new season this fall.”

To help, buy subscriptions or gift cards or donate back an unusable ticket.

DURING THE CRISIS “The Stamford Symphony Channel” was launched online. Music lovers can find musical content, including recorded performances by its musicians, interviews, articles, things for kids and more. It is continually updated with fresh content.

go LET’S GO, LORD VADER THE MANY FUN MOODS OF MERCEDES GLC 63 by chris hodenfield

behave more unreasonably.

Coming from the manufacturer’s performance wing, it features a turbocharged V8 producing 469 stomping horsepower, which in street terms may be defined as “a helluva lot of temptation.”

Ah, but there's a dial on the dash to change the modes of its personality. It was delivered in sport mode, which produced that hilarious drag-strip soundtrack.

But with clicks of the dial, the character moved toward more civilized states of being. It grew quieter and more polite. The suspension moved from tough to creamy. The shifting points on the nine-speed automatic became more relaxed. The inner racehorse

became a pleasant pony.

The cabin is a sumptuous and regal setting for touring the galaxy, being composed of the sleek design and cool leather of any upscale Mercedes. The Burmester Surround Sound system could go clean or bombastic, depending on your mood. In all, it costs a pretty penny, but delivers a gorgeous vehicle.

The same gorgeousness can be had in the GLC 43 model, which features a lesser but still strong V6 engine, better fuel mileage and a $14,000 discount.

Still, there was no forgetting that our GLC 63 was a highperformance brute. In any mode, pushing the throttle meant

stamfordmag.com

36

holding on tight. After a few days driving, it becomes apparent that back-country corners can be taken at harrowing speeds in the utmost confidence.

It’s the last car you’d entrust to a teenager. But if it should transform a seasoned, mature driver into a teenager, well, that’s the risk of riding with the hooligans.

STATS

MERCEDES-BENZ AMG GLC 63 Base price: $73,750. As tested: $79,705 Drivetrain: 469 hp 4.0-liter V8. AWD EPA mileage ratings: 16 city/ 22 highway

CONTRIBUTED

W

hen the metallic black Mercedes GLC 63 arrived in our driveway, bellowing and snorting like Darth Vader on a hot date, it seemed immediately to fall into the category this reviewer thinks of an “HUV.” That is, Hooligan Urban Vehicle. But, unlike the dark lord of the empire, this one has a dial to turn down the aggression.

Mercedes-Benz has several other crossover models that provide the desired basics—four pleasant seats, all-wheel-drive, a modicum of prestige—and most are priced more reasonably. The GLC 63 is geared toward the driver who likes to occasionally

An Evening with Laurel House

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

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

Penny Johnston-Foote

Leo Karl

Genevieve Eason

Darien

Saturday, June 13, 2020 6:00 PM

New Canaan

Delamar, Greenwich Harbor

Greenwich Wilton

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

SPECIAL MEMORIES LAST FOREVER WE HELP create THEM

C O N NECTICUT: 203.324.6222

• LONG ISLAND:

631. 643. 2848

MAY/JUNE 2020 STAMFORD

37

• STAMFORDTEN T .C O M

eat 5 STAMFORD RESTAURANTS WITH OVER-THE-TOP FOOD FEEDS e’re hanging out, cruising our Instagram feeds,

FORTINA

and there is it—that

@fortinapizza followers:about 45k

extraordinary food shot that reminds us that it’s been more than an hour

A

t the polenta table, the mix is poured out, dramatically, indulgently, playfully. Fortina has what some call “personality” and others call “attitude.”

Whichever it is, we love it! The atmosphere at Fortina is: “Whatever you have on your mind—all that noise— yeah, it can wait. We got this. Here, have a meatball.”

The swagger-in-chief is Chef Christian Petroni, and he’s not the shy type. As the owner of Fortina (in Stamford, but also Armonk, Yonkers, Rye Brook and Brooklyn), he sets the tone. And this larger-than-life man has proof that he's a winner—he’s won bragging rights for having topped Season 4 of Chopped and serves as a judge on the Food Network show. He has an appetite for good food and good times, and inspires it in those around him. Fortina puts you at ease by bringing you in on the fun. The proof is in fresh-from-the-oven pizza and the Instagram posts.

since we last ate. A minute ago, we weren’t hungry; now we are. Stamford has serious foodies around town, and they also know how to have fun, which they put on full display through social media. We offer up visual proof with just a few examples of how Stamford has over-the-top food skills served with a big side of humor. Kudos to our local

DURING THE CRISIS

Chef Petroni ran live cooking classes on Instagram and auctioned off a post-pandemic pizza party.

chefs and social content creators for always delighting us.

by diane sembrot stamfordmag.com

38

ALL SCREENSHOTS FROM THE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS, AS NOTED

W

INSTA GRAM BIO W Listen, E'D RE we'll be COMM serious END: but tha about t's whe our foo re we d d, raw the line.

INSTAGRAM BIO WE'D RECOMMEND: In the heart of Harbor Point, watch out for whale-sized cocktails and food with a side of biting humor.

LEFT: sweetThese es devote th o to p at to s 't n do ip late-ch choco and s ie k o co am, ed cre whipp n e h w not an add they c late o c cho syrup, nd cake a re nd mo more a . re o and m

SIGN OF THE WHALE @signofthewhale followers: about 9,700

W

e’re going to admit it right here, right now: We have a weakness for all things Star Wars.

So, as much as we’ve always had mad love for Sign of the Whale—especially on a warm day with a gentle breeze off the water—we went next level when we saw its post of baby Yoda with one of its cocktails. Who are we to question other-worldly wisdom? Other posts reveal that the staff is willing to discard layers of dignity to have a good time, meaning they’ll costume up for anything: reindeer in winter, pretzels in summer and elaborate face painting for Dia de los Muertos. We go to relax with an ocean-sized cocktail, so we appreciate a staff that’s offering a reprieve life’s too serious side.

D: ge MMEN hallen RECO s, 'D t E k he c W o o waffle t , e onuts 987, w d 1 , s in e k d she rt. ilksha to hea Establi our m vorites e with fa iv t h a c e r c brun to get rs and burge

DURING THE CRISIS

Sign of the Whale informed us that a mimosa contains 32 percent of one's suggested dose of vitamin C (thanks!)

ELM STREET DINER @elmstreetdiner // followers: about 60k

E

ver have one of those days when you are (A) starving to the point of being a menace to society or (B) just went through a stressful event (like running into your ex who looks heartachingly amazing) and just want comfort food? Well, we do. And Elm Street Diner’s Instagram feed is a regular reminder that they “get” it, too: food fills us up, but to our inner six-year-old, it’s also a pleasure. Who cares about the diet?

Consider some Instagrammable dishes here as break-in-case-of-emergency, super-stacked treats. We’re talking waffles topped with donuts that have cupcakes perched like antennae and a wedge of cake that has an Oreo-cookie halo—all splattered with chocolate syrup. You get the idea. Why add one sweet ingredient when you can layer in seven? If you’re into savory, consider a massive double cheeseburger with fried chicken between the buns. You might need a friend to help you hold it.

DURING THE CRISIS

Elm Street launched “Do-It-Yourself Donut-Decorating Kits,” complete with toppings for crafty and sweet home decorating, for pick-up and local delivery.

MAY/JUNE 2020 STAMFORD

39

eat INSTAGRAM BIO WE'D RECOMMEND: This business is all about soul-satisfying Italian food—come hungry, become family (be the weird cousin, maybe)

LEFT: og , the d Dallas co the Ta d in h e b , is brand y d d a D of itome p e e th is -as-ite if -l e tak at is, th l— il ch 's good if there nd. u ro a d foo

CAFÉ SILVIUM @cafesilvium followers: about 4,600

C

afe Silvium’s Instagram feed tells you how serious they are about serving beautiful, generous portions of Italian comfort food. It also reveals that someone there has a funny bone. It seems that their social media pro wondered how to best express the pure outrageous deliciousness of the food—the feeling of each dish—and the response was a creative mix of food and art: a bomb going off atop fresh sauce and mozzarella, a plate of rice balls out in space (out of this world) or a football player leaping with everything he has to catch his Osso buco.

D: MMEN nd RECO ore" a 'D m E 's W e r O e I h B t ait, .

GRAM ascot) "but, w INSTA added rcute m e d p n u a s s ave k taco s we h We too oa (plu got wh

DURING THE CRISIS

The cafe closed temporarily but kept the humor, like this post: “OVER-FILTERED FOOD PIC

TACO DADDY

& CAPS LOCK CAPTION REINFORCING SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE. #ONBRAND.”

@tacodaddystamford followers: about 56k

I

f the name didn’t give you a clue that this place has a sense of humor, the Instagram feed certainly will. The tacos are stacked, packed and wonderfully dripping in cheese or sauce; the desserts are dripped in chocolate, topped with whipped cream, dusted with sugar, dappled with M&Ms; the drinks are lavender, embellished with flaming marshmallows (two, please) or topped with a mini puffy cloud. Just because the Tex-Mex food is creative, doesn’t mean it stops there; for Taco Daddy, creativity is the starting point. This place is all about that “leave the attitude at home” vibe. The true draw of the Instagram feed is the dog, Dallas, a lovebug with puppy eyes and irresistible folds that make us feel good about our own love handles.

DURING THE CRISIS

Taco Daddy offered to feed frontline workers in need for free, posted food reviews of fellow restaurants, and served humor with Dallas (above) proclaiming that, because of the quarantine, “summer body” has been postponed. stamfordmag.com

40

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If you have a project or firm in CT, go to athomefc.com and find out how to get on the A-List!

Deadline to enter: May 19

SAVE THE DATE for the A-List Awards Networking Gala!

September 16, 2020 at the Palace Theatre in Stamford.

JUDGES

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MARA MILLER Carrier and Company

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42

people&PLACES by joey macari

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNA BASCOM 1

2

3

4

5

6

BANK OF AMERICA / Neighborhood Builders

Family Matters

T

he Center for Family Justice and Fellowship Place, Inc., a nonprofit based in Fairfield that addresses domestic violence and abuse prevention, was named the 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders award recipient for Southern Connecticut.

The grant ceremony, held at Fairfield University, highlighted the importance of the Bank of American Neighborhood Builders program, which awarded the center a $200,000 grant, which will allow the organization to expand its programs, increase economic mobility and provide critical care to its patients. Bank of America Market President Bill Tommins addressed the guests, as did Senator Richard Blumenthal and other esteemed supporters. Âť

1 Bill Tommins, Debra Greenwood, Anne Demchak and Andy Sieg 2 Joe Rog, Kathy Reichenbach, Mike Jehle and Jonathan Moffly 3 Chris Zell, Lisa Cerbone Montalto, Kelly Ann Day, Christie Stewart and Steve Samuels 4 Andy Sieg, president of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, addresses the crowd 5 Senator Richard Blumenthal 6 William Garay and Daniel Sorial MAY/JUNE 2020 STAMFORD

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ASPETUCK LAND TRUST / Haskins Lecture

Nature’s Own 1 Aspetuck President Bill Kraekel, Doug Tallamy and Aspetuck Executive Director David Brant 2 Heather Williams, Amy Harlacker and Misty Beyer 3 Alan Feldman and Mary Hogue 4 Naomie Bleifield was honored for her fifty years of Aspetuck Land Trust membership 5 Lisa Hersch and Dr. Jonathan Siner 6 Lecture speaker Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home 7 Bill Kupinse and Bob and Bonnie Kreitler 8 Honoree Margery Silk, Walter Greene and Ellen Greenburg 9 Nancy Saipe, Eva Grundy and Nancy Doniger 10 Aspetuck Stewardship Director Lou Bacchiocchi and Board Member Nancy Moon 11 Aspetuck’s Landowner Engagement Director Mary Ellen Lemay, Board Member Jeff Galdenzi and Luisa Francoeur

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNA BASCOM

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he annual Aspetuck Land Trust Haskins Lecture was held at Branson Hall in Westport. Aspetuck Land Trust is a nonprofit conservation group that protects local open space in Westport, Weston, Easton and Fairfield for the benefit and education of the public. Professor Doug Tallamy from the University of Delaware, author of Bringing Nature Home, was this year’s featured speaker. The lecture focused on the importance of suburban homeowners and how they can help bring more biodiversity back to the landscape to benefit wildlife.

Recently, the land trust announced its Green Corridor Initiative to protect the last remaining open space in the four-town region and engage thousands of homeowners to take care of their yards in more environmentally sustainable ways.

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FAIRFIELD COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION / Fairfield County Giving Day

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARILYN ROOS PHOTOGRAPHY

Give Way

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airfield County Community Foundation’s biggest philanthropic event of the year, Fairfield County Giving Day, celebrated a remarkable, twenty-four-hour fundraising marathon—its seventh year running. Over $1.65 million was raised by 12,666 donors. These life-changing funds support dozens of nonprofits across twenty-three towns and cities within Fairfield County. Curtain Call Inc. in Stamford raised the most, $131,666, while this year’s Grand Prize winner was Wildlife in Crisis based in of Weston. Bank of America was once again the champion sponsor of the event, and Moffly Media served as the exclusive media sponsor at this year’s fundraiser. S

1 Matt Seebeck and Preston Gage 2 Edwin Ford, Joel Green, Martha Olson, Briggs Tobin, First Selectman Jim Marpe, FCCF President and CEO Juanita James, Bill Tommins and Charlie McCormack 3 Juanita James and Jonathan Moffly 4 Paola Murphy, Sara Tucker, Juanita James and Rob Fried 5 Steven Soyland, Kevin Begley and Sean Schillo 6 Krista Watson, Kristi Novin, Rita Watson, Ainsley Novin, Nora Watson and Brian Bish 7 Emily O’Connor, Juanita James and Marcella Rooney 8 John Breunig 9 Juanita James and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling 10 Bill Tommins, Carol Heller, Juanita James and Jason Grippo

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MONEY / BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

A NEW LOW

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FINANCIAL STRESS, OR DOW AFFECTIVE DISORDER

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

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

Yes, as a matter of fact.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Turn off the TV and get some exercise.

Connect with others to avoid feeling alone.

Try meditation or hypnosis to reach relaxation.

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

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

Dr. Martin Klein

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We’re in this together The Shantz Mantione Group is proud to support the UBS Optimus Foundation’s partnership with Americares to help combat the spread of COVID-19

The UBS Optimus Foundation is working to fight the spread of COVID-19 with the aid of Americares, a trusted partner organization with 40 years of experience responding to disasters including disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Funds will provide personal protective equipment and help alleviate suffering in the most heavily impacted communities in the US.

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

All UBS client and employee donations will be matched 100% by the firm.

To learn more and find out how you can get involved, contact: Andrew Shantz 203-705-4223 andrew.shantz@ubs.com

Thomas Mantione 203-705-4222 thomas.mantione@ubs.com

ubs.com/team/shantzmantione

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

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

by emily liebert sidebars by diane sembrot

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

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

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

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

Elizabeth Ariola @mrsnipple_

new canaan

Liz Joy

@purejoyhome

fairfield

Julia Dzafic

@lemonstripes

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

westport

Jenn Falik @jennfalik

westport

Stephanie Trotta

@stephanietrotta darien

Morgan Matkovic @lilies.and.lambs greenwich

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Elizabeth Ariola new canaan

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

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

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

BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH

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

TIPS

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

ultimately, just not feel alone.”

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

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

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

The more niche the better.”

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

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

“Vulnerability is always a good thing.”

“Don’t take yourself too seriously.”

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PHOTO OF ELIZABETH BY JULIA DAGS

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

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

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

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

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

IN THE CRISIS

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

i was torn about leaving my full-time job.

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

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

That sticks with me every day.

PHOTO ON STEPS AND OF FAMILY BY CARTER FISH

WORDS TO LIVE BY

even a close friend to experience life alongside them.

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

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

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

BALANCE

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Plan ahead to find time for work and family.

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

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

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

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

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

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brands started to take notice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IN THE CRISIS

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

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

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

PHOTO ABOVE BY JULIA DAGS

WORDS TO LIVE BY

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

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

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

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

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

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WORKING WITH BRANDS

Jenn Falik

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parenting insecurities and

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

PHOTO OF JENN BY JULIA DAGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Falik family time means being equal parts silly and fabulous.

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

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

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

IN THE CRISIS

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

PHOTO OF FAMILY BY JEN GOLDBERG PHOTOGRAPHY

WORDS TO LIVE BY

and Instagram account.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4 Liz Joy

fairfield

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THE POWER OF INSTAGRAM AND BLOGGING TO CONNECT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, CONTRIBUTED

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

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

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

Liz regularly shares beautiful family shots with her followers

IN THE CRISIS

WORDS TO LIVE BY

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

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

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Morgan Matkovic greenwich

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STARTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH BRANDS

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

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

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

Then a funny thing happened.

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

“Between my struggles with

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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PHOTO OF MORGAN BY JULIA DAGS

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

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

IN THE CRISIS

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

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

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

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

WORDS TO LIVE BY

two crazy dogs running around.

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

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

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

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

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TIPS

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

Stephanie Trotta

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

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

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

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

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

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

Originally, The Girl Guide was almost 100 percent fashion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PHOTO OF STEPHANIE BY JULIA DAGS

darien

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

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

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

IN THE CRISIS

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

CONTRIBUTED

WORDS TO LIVE BY

says, is incredibly special.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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BUSINESS & FINANCE Cummings & Lockwood LLC ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 Davidson, Dawson & Clark LLP ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 UBS Financial Services Inc./ The Shantz Mantione Group ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 47 ENTERTAINMENT The Ridgefield Playhouse �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������42 Stamford Tent & Event Services ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37 EVENTS 8th Annual Best Bartender Contest

by Stamford magazine ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 A-list Awards ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 41 An Evening with Laurel House ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37 Light a Fire 2020 ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14 FASHION

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STOCK.ADOBE.COM

HEALTH & BEAUTY Greenwich Fertility ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9 The Nathaniel Witherell ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19 Nuvance Health ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 The Residence at Selleck's Woods ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11 The Residence at Summer Street ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11 The Residence at Westport ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11 Stamford Health ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 3

We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs. Weddings should have a current Stamford family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day. Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted.

Send Information to: editor@stamfordmag.com Stamford Magazine 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880

postscript

MAY/JUNE 2020 / DONNA MOFFLY

S

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

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

But in a world flooded with the stuff—along with its own vocabulary of tweets, likes, posts, friending, following and such—I’m a bit lost.

Of course, FaceTime does allow you to look someone in the eyes, but let’s not forget about the original social media.

I’m not a techie. I leave that to my children and grandchildren. But I was the first of my friends to have a home computer, and I’ve known just enough about them to do my job at Moffly Media for the past thirty years.

Communicating is also part of my DNA— editing my high school yearbook, writing copy for an ad agency and scripts for kids’ shows, doing publicity for schools, and serving as founding editor of greenwich magazine. And I’m still at it today.

Now, because of the coronavirus, we’ve been hit with something new—social distancing.

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

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

I wonder what my favorite cartoonist Gerry Dumas would have done. Gerry was a very stamfordmag.com

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funny guy who once did an article for us entitled “Call Me”. As a writer, he was home alone a lot and got, well, lonely. He loved cold calls. He figured these people had a tough job, and he could cheer them up with some friendly banter. So he’d keep the conversation going until they hung up on him.

He loved his phone but didn’t have his nose buried in it 24/7 as we do today.

So what’s wrong with the old-fashioned way of connecting with real live people? On long drives with the kids, we’d entertain ourselves singing “Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall” or playing auto-bingo, who could spot a cow first. No TVs on board back then. When conversation lagged at big family dinners, we played “telephone,” made even better if Grandfather was a little deaf. Remember? You’d whisper something to Billy sitting next to you like: “I wish we could go to Basin Harbor;” and by the time it went around the table, it would’ve become, “A fish doesn’t go to the barber.” No electronics. All generations happily involved.

So reach out to your friends, even while social distancing. Instead of texting or e-mailing them, why not give them a call? Your high school classmate in a nursing home in Florida would love to hear your voice; your long-ago bridesmaid will be bowled over that you still remember her birthday. And depending where we’re at with sheltering in place, you might ask your bored grandson stuck at home to come make a buck gardening. It’s great bonding planting petunias together. Or you might invite a couple of people for dinner—not in a noisy restaurant where you can’t really talk, but in the peace and quiet of your own home.

All that’s social life—without the media.

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

OF OLD-FASHIONED SOCIABLE MEDIA

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