newcomers and natives share their path here and why they call this city home
Coastal life is booming
Hayley and Ryan Dichter with their two children
Pictured left to right: (front row) Dr. Henry Yoon, Dr. Asha Shah, Dr. Maher Madhoun, Dr. Bismruta Misra, Dr. Joonun (Chris) Choi, Dr. David Hsi, Dr. Michael Bernstein; (back row) Dr. Craig Olin, Dr. Corinne VanBeek, Dr. Joshua Herbert, Dr. Robert Babkowski, Dr. Michael Ebright, and Dr. Kevin Dwyer.
44
LIVING
THE GOOD LIFE
Our annual insider’s guide uncovers some top local spots to shop, dine, visit and more.
by jill johnson mann
60 STORIES OF STAMFORD
Meet the newcomers and locals who call this city home.
by joey macari
BUZZ
Shippan Point Garden Club celebrates 100 years, FS8 fitness concept opens in Harbor Point
SHOP
Mother’s Day Bling
68 COASTAL BOOM
Stamford Harbor is a bustling waterfront with a focus on the future.
by scott thomas
GO
A storied hotel on Martha’s Vineyard gets a reboot
HOME
Front door style tips; red hot décor ideas
DO
Local resident conducts Broadway Scores; The JCC gets a renovation; summer events and outings; health benefits of ballroom dancing
EAT
BarVera Mediterranean opens on Bedford Street
MONEY MATTERS
Tales from the DIY Trenches
80 POSTSCRIPT
Garden Variety
For over 100 years, Cummings & Lockwood has been building meaningful and lasting relationships with our private clients, their family offices, businesses and charitable entities, serving as trusted advisors throughout their lifetimes and providing sophisticated legal counsel at every important stage of their lives.
Our core services include:
■ Estate planning and administration
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For a private consultation, please contact one of our attorneys by visiting our website at www.cl-law.com.
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founder’s page
“The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly cost $34 million, but $32 million of it was for security.”
MAY/JUNE 2025 / DONNA MOFFLY
OF BUDGETS & BRIDES
Grooms, too, naturally. Once again, we’re arriving at the month where weddings are “busting out all over just because it’s June, June, June!”.
Weddings, of course, cost money for somebody, usually the bride’s parents—the amount relative to the wallet and preferred level of fanfare. My marriage to Jack Moffly in Cleveland in 1959 was particularly special, since it had taken him thirty-three years to get up the aisle. I was a decade younger, and he told me he was marrying me for my potential. I could identify with Katharine Hepburn who once observed: “Spencer grew me up beyond my potential.”
But about our wedding: I still have Mother’s handwritten notebook with all the details. It started with the engagement party for 100 in our apartment. One gregarious future usher stood at the front door of 2B introducing himself to each guest as “Tom Flood, Philadelphia”, so everybody thought I was marrying him. Another was Newbold Smith who mother kept calling Nouveau. The final bill including liquor, caviar, mushroom sandwiches and a family casserole for afterwards totaled $193.40.
Then came the ceremony on a rainy Saturday in July. The service was at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where $68 covered the organist, baritone, Sexton and candles. For the reception, The Country Club on Lander Road could accommodate 350 guests. Hough Caterers provided heart-shaped watercress sandwiches, lobster salad, petit fours with Orange Blossom Trim, a five-tier cake on a table draped in “newly-made chartreuse organdy, bouffant effect,” candelabra, baskets of rose petals and waitresses—all for $1,684. And the Hal Lynn Trio played from 6:15 to 10:15 for $100.
But I did get lots of mileage out of my wedding gown. It started as a diaphanous Grecian-stye cocktail dress in moss green
chiffon with a satin cummerbund; but by special request, the designer made it floorlength in white for me. Later I cut it off and dyed the cummerbund green, then brown with black cummerbund, then gained weight and gave it to the Rummage Room.
Now fast forward five or six decades. A young friend of mine, planning her wedding for 150, made the rounds of local clubs and figured the reception at $220 a person, the band at $9,000, flowers $12,000 and photographer $6,700. Total: $60,700.
But that’s a mere bagatelle compared to Forbes list of the most expensive celebrity weddings. Among them: At Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach Donald Trump married Melania Knauss decked out in a Christian Dior gown with 300 feet of satin beaded with 1,500 crystals ($1 million). Tiger Woods and Swedish model Elin Nordegren took over an entire resort in Barbados plus, to thwart the paparazzi, the island’s only helicopter service ($1.5 million).
The eighth time Elizabeth Taylor wed it was to construction worker Larry Fortenski at Neverland Ranch with Michael Jackson walking her down the aisle ($2 million). And, when Liza Minnelli married concert promoter David Gest in New York, Michael Jackson was best man with Liz Taylor, maid of honor ($4.2 million).
And the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey reportedly cost $34 million; but $32 million of it was for security, so maybe that shouldn’t count. To save money, the royal lovebirds might have considered a fast getaway on their wedding present from the Mayor of London—a bicycle built for two.
That's a wedding I’m sure will last. But divorces among those aforementioned celebrities does prove that money can’t buy love.
Anyway, with destination weddings the rage now, I wonder who picks up the tab for all that airfare? Hmmm.
DOUGLAS WRIGHT Douglas C. Wright Architects HEIDE HENDRICKS Hendricks Churchill
JOSH GREENE Josh Greene Design
MELISSA REAVIS Hollander Design
ZOË FELDMAN Zoë Feldman Design
BECKSTEDT Neal Beckstedt Studio
Nominations being accepted in the following categories:
Most Involved in the Arts
Most Dedicated Committee Member
Outstanding Philanthropist
Outstanding Teen Volunteer
Best Friend to Children
Best Health Advocate
Lifetime Achievement
Best Friend to Seniors
Most Involved Couple
Corporate Good Neighbor
History in Bloom Shippan Point Garden Club Celebrates 100 YEARS!
by elizabeth keyser
When the hills of Czescik Park burst into a sea of yellow, white and purple daffodils and crocus (7,700 of them!) this March and April, it brought more than joy to Shippan’s residents and visitors—the blooms herald a season of public events celebrating Shippan Point Garden Club’s
(SPGC) 100th anniversary.
In May, a favorite Mother’s Day Weekend tradition, SPGC’s May Market plant sale will fill the grounds of Our Lady Star of the Sea, and the month will close with a Centennial Celebration with the mayor. In June, the club will run a garden tour of six private
above: Club members help at the annual May Market.
GARDEN TOURS
year will close with the annual Doors of Shippan wreath contest in December.
The club estimates that over the 100 years, they have planted about 1,500 deciduous, evergreen and flowering trees, hundreds of shrubs and rose bushes, and thousands of bulbs
and perennial flowers. Over the last dozen years, club members have focused on Magee Avenue and its intersection with Shippan Avenue, transforming a formerly depressed and neglected area into a beautified road leading to the Shippan Point residential community.
In collaboration with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and community groups, SPGC has installed a Welcome Garden at the corner of Magee and Shippan Avenues, a Gateway Memorial Garden, and transformed a pit-like site into the Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center Garden. They donated the cherry trees that bloom on the right side of Magee and the euonymus shrubs and grasses on the operations back fence.
Cindy Lannon, a “relatively new member” since 2015 and president for the last two years, has been using her latent project management skills to organize the 100th-anniversary season of celebrations. “Reflecting on the last ten years, it’s amazing what our members have accomplished,” she says. “They work so hard— they are out there two to three times a week.”
The club’s 62 members (48 active) are a mix of Master Gardeners, home gardeners,
Shippan gardens, and in July, the Centennial Flower Show at the Stamford Yacht Club. For the fall season, the community will come out for a second massive bulb planting at Czescik Park, and the
above: Two noteworthy stops on the annual garden tour featuring neighborhood gardens and parks.
above: Throughout the year, the Club hosts Bench Show luncheons where members hone their craft, express their creativity and learn from each other. Some examples of the club’s green thumbs were featured in the competition.
MEMBER BENCH SHOWS
100 YEARS of BEAUTIFICATION
Stamford Advocate May 13, 1930
1926 What began in 1926 as a plant exchange for members quickly evolved into the garden club’s annual May Market — a plant sale open to the public that provides most of the funding for SPGC’s civic planting, community and philanthropy efforts.
1942
1952
Landscaping at Stamford Hospital
SLocal Conservation
ince their start, members of the Shippan Point Garden Club have been warriors for conservation and civic beauty. Many of their efforts centered on the industrialized areas that led to Shippan Point.
SPGC embarked on its first civic project in 1926, planting 50 Norway Maples and London Plane Trees along Shippan Avenue.
In the 1930s, members successfully fought the construction of an extra incinerator on Magee Avenue. To stop the dumping of abandoned automobiles on Magee Avenue, the Board of Public Safety appointed six SPGC members as temporary policewomen. They also blocked a permit for an auto junk yard. They battled Dutch elm disease, and joined with other clubs to create a bird sanctuary at Woodside Park.
1939
In the 1950s, they continued their work cleaning up Magee Avenue. They waged a successful skirmish to remove 50 dilapidated Quonset huts left over from World War II in Cummings Park. Volunteers donated plants and restored the site.
In the 1960s, SPGC members stopped a rubber plant from buying a property on Magee Avenue, and scraped the building of a heliport. In the 1970s, they prevented 20 healthy trees on Sound Avenue from being chopped down. Since then, SPGC members have pulled out invasives and dug in natives at West Beach to create habitats for birds, and they have planted dozens of trees throughout the city.
1964 With the help of a donation from SPA and a Sears Beautification Grant, SPGC members added another 47 pink and white Dogwoods (for a total of 225 trees planted) along Ocean Drive East and West.
2000
To celebrate the installation of the Welcome Garden, SPGC hosted a special garden party for neighbors, supporters and city partners.
Yew trees planted at Ferguson Library
Members partnered with other Stamford garden clubs to create a bird sanctuary at Woodside Park.
condo-dwellers, folks who want to learn and those with a love of horticulture and floral design.
Stamford magazine (March/April 2023) featured the waterfront garden of Erna Szekeres, an SPGC member since 1978, who turned 100 in March.
SPGC has been recognized many times by the Federated
Garden Clubs of Connecticut and New England Garden Clubs. Their website, full of educational information, has also won awards. Members also do community outreach at St. Camillus and offer an annual scholarship to a collegebound senior planning to study biology or environmental science.
AS SEEN IN PRINT
Celebrate & Save the Date
May 9 & 10:
May Market at Our Lady Star of the Sea
An annual tradition for the community, guests can shop a selection of quality annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and hanging baskets from local wholesalers and members’ own gardens. Pre-orders can be placed on the website.
May 31:
Centennial Dedication and Celebration at SPGC’s Welcome Garden
The Stamford mayor, local dignitaries, and the community come together for a celebration at the Welcome Garden. Includes a tour of SPGC’s civic gardens, which the members have created and maintain.
June 13: Beauflora Centennial Garden Tour of Shippan Point
Featuring beautifully landscaped properties, this paid walking tour showcases five or six private gardens.
July 17
Centennial Flower Show:
above and right: Erna Szekeres’ garden was featured on the cover and in an article from Stamford magazine’s March/April 2023 issue. below: The Garden Club’s annual holiday wreath decorating competition, Doors of Shippan, has been a popular neighborhood tradition since 1989 and was showcased in a Westchester magazine.
100 Years of Beauty and Blooms at Stamford Yacht Club
Flower show will feature members’ floral designs, horticultural specimens, botanical arts and educational exhibits, meeting the standards of the National Garden Club. Judges from the Federated Garden Club will choose the winners.
Nov. 1:
Second Annual Hill of Blooms Planting Party at Czescik Park
After last year’s successful planting party, it’s back by popular demand. This year, planters will bring augers to drill holes into the hard earth.
Dec. 4:
Doors of Shippan Holiday Wreath Contest
This neighborhood favorite returns. Locals deck out their front doors for the annual wreath contest.
WESTCHESTER IS JUST A SHORT DRIVE AWAY!
Mark your calendar for the most prestigious gourmet gathering in the area. This week-long celebration brings together the finest gourmet food, exceptional wines, beers, spirits, burgers, food trucks, and award-winning chefs.
EVENTS INCLUDE
ZWILLING Knife Skills Class
Tuesday, June 3
6:00PM – 7:30PM Zwilling Cooking Studio Pleasantville, NY
Perfect Pairings of Wine & Food with Kevin Zraly
Tuesday, June 3, 6:00PM – 9:00PM The Briarcliff Manor Briarcliff Manor, NY
Wine Collectors’ Dinner
Friday, June 6
6:30PM – 10PM Kanopi White Plains, NY
Party on the Pier
Wednesday, June 4
6:00PM – 9:00PM Playland Rye, NY
Grand Tasting Village
Saturday, June 7
12:00PM – 4:00PM Kensico Dam Plaza Valhalla, NY
Burger & Beer Blast
Thursday, June 5 6:00PM – 9:30PM Kensico Dam Plaza Valhalla, NY
Boozy Brunch & Beats
Sunday, June 8 12:00PM – 4:00PM Hudson Prime Steakhouse Irvington, NY
For updates, scan QR code or visit westchestermagazine.com/winefood.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
MEET
Go ahead, try it out. Point your phone’s camera at the Flowcode to scan.
Full-Body Fitness
Bringing fresh eyes and business savvy to the personal fitness space, Anthony Licitra opens FS8 in Harbor Point
by scott thomas // photography by jason lee
Anthony Licitra believes his team’s approach to FS8 will be a gamechanger for people looking for new methods of physical advancement. In early summer, FS8 will open at 121 Towne Street in the Harbor Point area. The innovative fitness brand combines reformer Pilates, yoga, and cutting-edge technology to offer transformative full-body workouts. Licitra opened an FS8 studio in Fairfield last year. “The first thing you need to distinguish yourself is a great product,’’ Licitra says. “You want to have a smart location. You want easy accessibility. And you want great energetic teams with the people you hire. You have to create a great experience and develop a
community within the gym that makes people feel comfortable coming in. It’s a lot of little things that go into it, but you need a great product and operations.”
Licitra has the experience and proven success to make FS8 a winner in Stamford. He spent 13 years in the business world in accounting and finance. In 2018, he co-founded and scaled F45 studios in Stamford and Norwalk. Those locations became top-performing franchises and were later acquired by Club Sports Group, the largest F45 franchisee group in the world, and Licitra now runs the studio operations for CSG. “We have seven years of proof of concept in Stamford,’’ Licitra says.
above: Yoga, Pilates and tone are blended into the FS8 concept. below: Strength and flexibility are a focus of the workouts.
FS8 brings a whole new approach to fitness with revolutionary, science-backed techniques to lengthen, strengthen and mobilize clients’ bodies with a full-body workout that ties into physical and psychological well-being. “We’re focusing on strength and flexibility, and getting people to rethink how Pilates, tone and yoga can work for them.”
The secret sauce to FS8 is a smorgasbord of workouts and plans that accommodate people with different goals, motivation and fitness levels. The 50-minute classes can be scheduled via monthly memberships or class packages. “Clients understand what kind of workout they need,’’ Licitra explains. “Some clients come six or seven days a week and make FS8 their entire fitness program. Some come once a week and use it to supplement their fitness. Some want to dabble, some want a little more, some a little less. You need to meet the clients where they are.”
The FS8 model includes 3,000 workouts that feature a blend of strength, balance and mobility. All the classes include an instructor and television monitors that help clients ensure they are making proper movements.
Reformer Pilates uses a machine that is equipped for resistance, a sliding carriage, ropes, a footbar and other elements. The machine provides adjustable resistance and allows for a wider variety of exercises and the ability to target specific muscle groups.
Classes begin with warmup yoga movements, followed by the focus for that particular session and a cool down. “The benefits of training with reformer Pilates and yoga are that it’s going to be easy on your joints, you’re not going to get as sore, and you’ll see improved flexibility and muscle lengthening,’’ Licitra says. “It will improve your balance, coordination, and even cardiovascular level.”
Licitra brings more than experience in the personal fitness space to the endeavor. His business background is equally important,
along with his own athletic experience. He served as the captain of his high school basketball team at Glastonbury and Keene State College before launching his professional career. The combination of experience and skills, along with his passion for fitness, leads to a promising path for FS8.
“You learn so much through sports,’’ Licitra says. “You learn what leadership is, and you learn who are good leaders and who are not strong leaders. Having seen that and building leadership skills can transition into anything in life. Teamwork and collaboration are important when you’re on a team. Everything is earned, and nothing is given. Sports have taught me so much, and those lessons have transitioned into my professional career.”
FS8
121 Towne Street Harbor Point in Stamford
above:
The studio will open this summer in Harbor Point.
this photo: Classes are full-body group training experiences.
this photo: Pilates reformers help target specific muscle groups.
L AGES W LCOME RENTALS AVAILABLE
S TURD Y, JULY 12 SATURDAY, JULY 12
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.
Westy Mover Concierge
For over thirty years, Westy Mover Concierge has recommended select movers to thousands of customers in order to make their moving experience pleasant and at reasonable cost. Westy does not charge movers for the service, but insists that they satisfy our customers.
by hannah deely
JL ROCKS
14K and Diamond Adjustable Link Chain Necklace, $1,450, Westport and Greenwich; jlrocks.com
PETER SUCHY JEWELERS
Australian Oval Opal
Diamond Halo Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring $2,880, Stamford; petersuchyjewelers.com
LUX GOLD
Amethyst and Diamond Bangle Bracelet, $1,500, Westport; lbgreen.com
MOMS DESERVE A MEDAL—BUT JEWELRY IS PRETTIER!
SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW
Pearl & Diamond Dangle Earrings, $2,500, Greenwich; shrevecrumpandlow.com
Rainbow Colored Emerald Cut Sapphire and Rose Gold Eternity Band, $28,500, Greenwich; stevenfoxjewelry.com
DESIGNER-APPROVED
Gypsy Soul
A storied hotel is reborn on MARTHA’S VINEYARD— a bohemian haven that celebrates the island’s rich history
by megan gagnon
Every summer, visitors arrive on Martha’s Vineyard hoping to fall into the restful rhythm of easy island living. From the gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs to the cobblestone streets of Edgartown, the local architecture and historic landmarks create an atmosphere that feels like a step back in time—the perfect place to disconnect and unwind. And now, nestled steps away from the harbor, Faraway Martha’s
Vineyard lures travelers with yet another reason to leave the mainland.
Building on the success of Faraway Nantucket, Bostonbased Blue Flag Partners has delivered another boutique hotel destination—a refined retreat that reflects the laid-back charm of the coastal community. The site for their renovation was the iconic Kelley House, a 300-year-old former tavern that served sailors in the island’s earliest days as a settlement for whalers. Workshop/APD was
above: Workshop/APD pulled its lobby inspiration from early Georgian libraries. below: Spend some time on a lounger or in one of the cabanas at the property’s pool.
Wednesday, July 23 • 6:30-9:00 p.m. (Rain Date Thursday, July 24) Harbor Point, Stamford
recruited for the project, with a focus on crafting an experience that honors the local history while carving out a unique design narrative.
“We spent months working on uncovering the property’s true soul and were immediately drawn to the island’s inseparable association with flowers as well as the free spirits that attend to them,” says Blue Flag’s managing partner, Brad Guidi.
The botanical boho vibe is balanced with midcentury styling, which comes to life in the dreamy lobby. Stepping in from the exterior’s classic Georgian architectural façade, guests are greeted with an immersive space, complete with bold furniture pieces, statement lighting and soaring shelving, blooming with custom installations by artists and floral designers.
From there, exploration is encouraged via landscaped pathways that connect to 58 guest rooms, a gym, a courtyard pool and two restaurant options: an outdoor sushi spot called The Pelican Club and a reopened version of the beloved The Newes From America, serving locallysourced favorites.
Each space echoes the larger design narrative— an earth-tone palette punctuated by impeccable finishes—for what Workshop/ APD associate principal Andrew Kline calls “seamless connectivity between spaces, eras and even aesthetics.”
Explore Edgartown’s quaint shops and pristine beaches, then return to the property for inspiration, awakening your inner artist or budding gardener. Faraway is a state of mind, after all, and this escape is just a ferry ride away.
Faraway Martha’s Vineyard 23 Kelley Street Edgartown, MA 02539 farawaymarthas vineyard.com
GET A ROOM
These Vineyard vibes are laid-back and luxe.
CHAPPY DAYS
Settle into a suite in Chappy House, where guests can take in views of the Edgartown Harbour and Chappaquiddick Island from the bed or balcony.
BETTER BUNKS
The setup in this Court House suite includes two full-size bunk beds, a kitchenette and deck overlooking the pool. Fish wallpaper adds to the fun factor for guests of any age.
SLEEP SOUNDLY
Take advantage of the Bluetooth-enabled turntable from a king-size bed in Kelley House, an ideal spot end your evening.
top: Lightened wood provides a backdrop for the playful layers of pattern and texture throughout. middle: Dive into a cocktail, and order from a fresh sushi menu at The Pelican Club. bottom: The check-in desk gives guests a view of the custom floral installations and art works.
Deep Roots, Strong Futures
2025 CHILD OF AMERICA GALA
FRIDAY, MAY 30
6pm Reception 7pm Dinner & Program
Shorehaven Golf Club I 14 Canfield Avenue, Norwalk, CT
HONORING
Marcus Shaw CEO & President of AltFinance
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSORS
INNOVATION SPONSORS The Baudouin Family Inquiries: Nikki LaFaye I nikki@the-carver.org 203.945.9665 I bit.ly/carvergala2025
2 GARDEN GLORY Pearl ribbon door knocker; $129. gardenglory.com
3 THE URBAN ELECTRIC CO. Arcade light; starting at $1,681. urbanelectric.com
4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN HARDWARE Rectangular entry set with Baker door knob; $1,370. Interstate Design Center, Greenwich, Westport; interstatelumber.com
“the front door is the focal point of your home. adding the right door handle, knocker, or even a mail slot can be like jewelry, giving your door that wow factor.”
—daniel rappaport, architectural hardware manager, interstate design center
5 STUDIO ANANSI Doormat; $24.95. CB2; cb2.com
6 DESU DESIGN Pendulum door knocker in brass; $725. desudesign.com
8 CLAY IMPORTS House numbers; $11 each. clayimports.com
9 GOOGLE Nest doorbell in Ivy; $179.99. The Home Depot, Fairfield; homedepot.com
STYLE STARTS AT THE FRONT DOOR by megan gagnon
ThankYou!
to our participating restaurants and this year’s sponsors!
2025 SPONSORS
10TH ANNIVERSARY RESTAURANT WEEK
2025 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Coffee for Good Constantino’s Pasta Bowls Casamigos
DiMare Pastry Shop The Ginger Man
Owl’s Brew
Refinery Kitchen
Silent Pool Gin
Spacecat Brewing Company
Sweet P Bakery
Tony’s at the J House
Townsend
megan gagnon
GSOvation!
CRIMSON & STRINGS
A
TANGO AFFAIR
Join us for an evening of music, mingling, and philanthropy in support of Greenwich Symphony Orchestra
Our masterful string players will set hearts racing, while the incomparable Stuart Malina, Music Director, ignites the keys with the soul-stirring pulse of tango. Let the sultry melodies transport you to an era of romance, drama, and electrifying energy.
June 6, 2025 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The Bruce Museum
Greenwich, Connecticut
Performance | Cocktails | Dinner by the Bite | Auction
Share your passion for the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra at this night of music, mingling and fun—all in support of your orchestra’s excellence and music education in our community!
do
MUSIC MAN
NEW STAMFORD RESIDENT ANDREW WILK TO CONDUCT BROADWAY SCORES WITH WATERBURY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, PROMISING A CONCERT THAT IS “POWERFUL BEYOND BELIEF” by jill johnson mann
Stamford recently gained a creative and musical force: longtime producer and director Andrew Wilk. Last year, he and his wife, Heather, moved from Westport to a one-hundred-year-old house on Shippan Point—the five Emmy Awards on the mantle came along. When faced with a complete home remodeling project, naturally Wilk threw himself into a passion project— and those always evolve into spectacular, unforgettable events. Broadway Scores, a concert with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and Broadway stars, which Wilk will conduct on May 17, promises to be well worth the drive.
Why this concert? What makes it exciting?
Conducting has always been my first love. It's how I met my wife, conducting Jesus Christ Superstar at Papermill Playhouse. I’ve conducted the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with special guest star Art Garfunkel and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. In my 20s and 30s, I had enough energy to direct television during the day and put on a tuxedo and conduct at night. But television became my full-time career. Last year, I attended a Cinema and Symphony concert in Waterbury, where the orchestra played live to the movie Home Alone. I was blown away. We started formulating a project to do together and decided on Broadway Scores, a concert featuring the past twenty years of musical theatre at The Palace in Waterbury to celebrate its twentieth year
since reopening. The Palace Theater is an amazing hall—Art Deco brought back to life—and has some of the finest acoustics
above: Stamford resident Andrew Wilk at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, where he will conduct Broadway Scores May 17.
above: Producer, Director and Conductor Andrew Wilk got his start at CBS Television.
I've ever experienced. To conduct a full symphony orchestra with Broadway talent in a hall that looks and sounds this grand is as thrilling for me as it gets!
Tell us about your music background and career. I studied piano for ten years, played guitar in a rock band and drums in the marching band. I went to NYU Tisch as a film major/music minor, which got me my first job in television with CBS. I was the only kid in the film school who could read a full conductor's score. At one taping, the music coordinator for CBS was out sick. Opportunity knocked! I became the new music coordinator. I was eventually made the producer/director of the series and won my first Emmy at 28. While directing a new PBS series, I conducted a series of symphony concerts for Papermill. I then launched the National Geographic Channel. Later I was Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment and then Executive Producer of Live From Lincoln Center on PBS—again because of my music background. In 2019, I began focusing on passion projects, including on Stage—three PBS Concert Specials taped at the Westport Playhouse with Brandon Victor Dixon, Shoshana Bean and the late Gavin Creel. I am finally returning to the podium for Broadway Scores. With a company of eight incredible Broadway stars— Debbie Gravitte, Jess LeProtto, Andrea McArdle, Soara-Joye Ross, Antoine L. Smith, Allison Strong, Gene Taylor and Donna Vivino— accompanied by the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, it will be a spectacular evening! Now, if I can just find my baton...
music.
Why should people come to the concert?
You will know these tunes. It's Broadway music sung by some of the most talented performers on Broadway, accompanied by the powerhouse Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Hearing these melodies with a full symphony orchestra is a very different experience
— powerful beyond belief. I guarantee you will be moved!
When and why did you move to Stamford?
We always loved the peninsula that is Shippan Point but landed in Westport for 18 years. I love the city aspect of Stamford and the diversity with its arts scene, incredible restaurants and so much more.
Stamford favorites: Cafe Silvium, The Wheel and Brennan's—all close to our house, and Stamford’s own Palace
Broadway Scores
The Palace Theater & Waterbury Symphony Orchestra May 17 at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $35 – $150 (plus fees) 20th Anniversary Reception: $75 (in addition to ticket price) palacetheaterct.org (203) 346-2000 Waterbury, CT
A portion of proceeds from this event will benefit the Palace Theatre and WSO Education programs. This event is sponsored by Webster Bank, Ives Bank, ION Bank and Post University.
left: Wilk won his first Emmy at age 28. right: Standing in front of Waterbury's Palace Theater, Wilk's new concert graces the marquee.
Enriching the Community
After some recent renovations,THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER expands offerings for all ages
by liz barron // photography by jason lee
Originally founded in 1916 as The Hebrew Institute, The Stamford Jewish Community Center (also known as “The JCC” or “The J”) has long served as a gathering place for Stamford residents. The JCC officially planted its roots at 1035 Newfield Avenue in 1978, which “allowed for significant growth and modernization while continuing a long-standing tradition of serving diverse community needs,” says CEO Marshall
Kurland. More than one hundred years later, the JCC continues to provide a wide variety of cultural, educational and recreational activities, designed to meet the diverse needs of Stamford area residents of all ages and stages in life. “We try to meet each person, each family, where they are and as they are. Our doors are open to anyone, and we try to create a safe, inclusive and accessible community for all who choose to affiliate with our community,”
above: The Stamford Jewish Community Center (The JCC) offers engaging activities for children. below: Six outdoor pickleball courts have been added to the property.
says Kurland.
After a recent and comprehensive transformation, the JCC has taken on significant capital building projects to provide its community with the best-in-class programs and amenities in high-quality spaces. Each project has been made possible by the philanthropic support and investments of the Stamford JCC members, its community, and through grants and foundation gifts. Among the many improvements, the JCC upgraded
its locker rooms, transformed its KidZone play space and turned its Kuriansky Fitness Center into a high-end, modern athletic facility. “Member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about the renovations and new offerings,” says Kurland.
On deck are plans for a Climbing and Training Studio, partially funded by a grant from JCamp 180, that will be utilized by summer camps and afterschool and fitness programs for both children and adults.
“The new center will provide physical, mental and social benefits, including improved fitness, confidence building and teamwork skills. The climbing wall will be fully inclusive and accessible to all ages and abilities and was designed to complement our Outdoor Adventure Course, further enriching our offerings. Completion is anticipated by June 2025,” says Kurland. While membership declined during the depths of COVID, The J has since experienced strong growth surpassing its pre-pandemic levels. The JCC welcomes thousands of daily users who come to learn, work and connect with one another every day. The recent addition of six outdoor pickleball courts, which complement five indoor courts, has helped further drive membership and involvement.
“Dozens have come for pickleball and now stay for the community; it’s a whole new layer of adult engagement for The J,” explains Kurland. While the facility itself may initially draw people in, what matters the most at the JCC is connection. “It’s a place to bring people together, meet them wherever they are on life’s journey, and help them flourish through our programs, services and experiences,” adds Kurland. Always looking for innovative ways to expand beyond the walls of its Newfield Avenue campus and reach as many members of the local community as possible, Kurland and his dedicated staff and volunteers consistently ask themselves, “What can we do that will positively impact people the most?” Whether it’s providing programming focused on enriching lives, like basketball summer clinics, parent-infant classes and senior activities, or holding cultural Jewish events open to the entire community, these offerings “demonstrate a commitment to providing opportunities for growth, connection and education across all life stages,” says Kurland For more information about programming or gaining access to The J’s state-of-the-art facilities and its community, visit stamfordjcc.org.
right and below:
The fitness center and locker rooms have been renovated as a more modern facility.
above: JCC programs serve both adults and children.
this photo: A sauna is part of the athletic facility. right: The KidZone Play Space is a popular new upgrade.
SUMMER FUN
No. 1
CATCH A SHOW
Get ready to sing and dance at The Palace Stamford!
Blippi: Join the Band Tour will be in town May 1 at 6 p.m. Bring the whole family to explore what makes music, including sounds, rhythms and instruments, through all your favorite Blippi hits.
Then, sing and dance along to today’s biggest BOPs live on stage at KIDZ BOP Live June 14 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
It’s the ultimate pop concert experience for kids (and their grown-ups!) with eyepopping new stage design and interactive elements, as well as the return of the popular Daddy Dance Off.
No. 3
PARTY WITH BLUEY AND BINGO
Join the Stamford Moms Bluey Party outside in Stamford Town Center Restaurant Plaza June 1 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m Snap a photo with Bluey and Bingo, enjoy entertainment for kids and more. Visit stamfordmoms.com for details.
No. 2 REMEMBER AND HONOR
Get out your red, white and blue! The 2025 Stamford Memorial Day Parade will take place Sunday, May 18 at noon. Arrive early to grab a seat at one of the restaurants on Bedford Street, so you can eat and relax while watching the parade. A ceremony will follow at 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.
Kick off the season with outdoor adventures and happenings around town. This May and June, celebrate summer, and experience some fresh-air fun with FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS by stefanie horn
No. 4
GET OUTSIDE
It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy time outside! Head to Stamford Museum & Nature Center to visit the animals. Take a family walk at Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, and be sure to visit the Word Garden to leave a message. Bring along the kids’ bikes and scooters for a morning or afternoon riding at Cove Island Park. Enjoy a picnic and time at the playground. Chestnut Hill Park, Stamford Museum & Nature Center and Barrett Park are a few of our many favorites.
No. 5 WELCOME SUMMER
The Stamford Town Center Block Party is the ultimate beginning of summer celebration. Held the weekend of June 21 and 22, noon - 6 p.m. each day, it’s a family-friendly weekend outdoors in Stamford Town Center’s Restaurant Plaza. Enjoy live performances, delicious eats and exciting activities for all ages. This event is the ideal way to kick off the summer season with friends and family.
Stefanie Horn, Stamford mom of three and head of Stamford Moms, shares some of her favorite things to do—from seasonal activities to can’t-miss events. Follow @stamfordmoms on Instagram, sign up for the newsletter, and check out the calendar for more family-friendly activities at stamfordmoms.com.
Wednesday, May 7
6–7:30 p.m. • New Canaan Country School 635 Frogtown Rd, New Canaan, CT
For a list of schools attending and to register for this free event, please visit: www.countryschool.net/SchoolFair2025
MORE THAN JUST MOVEMENT
THE SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS OF BALLROOM DANCING
by georgette yacoub
Humans have told stories with their bodies since the beginning of time. Across ancient civilizations—from the rhythmic ceremonial movements of early African tribes to the Haka of the Mãori in New Zealand— dance was a language, a means of storytelling, emotional expression and communal bonding. It was how people celebrated, mourned, connected and even healed.
While dance has evolved through centuries, its fundamental purpose remains unchanged. Today, we may dance for fun, for fitness or to celebrate our most joyous occasions. But dance still fulfills those deeper human needs. It builds confidence, strengthens relationships and creates a sense of belonging—benefits that have existed since the very first beat of a drum.
At Fred Astaire Dance Studio, co-owners Amy Cherrez and Marko Micic are bringing the transformative power of dance to the community. With roots in two distinct dance
traditions—Cherrez, originally from Ecuador, steeped in the rhythms of Latin dance, and Micic, a ten-time national ballroom champion from Serbia—they combine expertise and passion to create a welcoming space for dancers of all levels.
Since opening its doors, the studio has become a hub for people looking to move, connect and rediscover themselves through dance. While some come for practical reasons—learning a
routine for a wedding or to pick up a new hobby—many find that dance becomes something much greater.
“We’ve had couples come in just wanting to prepare for their child’s wedding, and then they end up staying because it brought them closer as a couple,” Cherrez shares.
“We’ve seen single men and women walk in feeling shy and leave with a new sense of confidence. Dance transforms people—it lifts them up.”
The science behind dance’s impact on mental and emotional well-being is compelling. Studies have shown that it not only improves mood but also reduces stress, enhances cognitive function and delays the onset of neurological conditions like dementia.
According to research from Harvard Medical School, dance engages multiple regions of the brain at once, strengthening neural connections and promoting mental agility. It’s for this same reason that Cherrez says dance is such an effective form of stress relief: “You have to be fully present—your
mind, body and emotions have to be engaged.”
Cherrez and Micic see this science play out in real time at their studio. “We had a woman come to us after a long illness, just to get out of the house—she was hesitant, shy, unsure if she even belonged in a dance class,” Cherrez recalls. “Now, she’s the most social, confident person in the room. She not only improved her health, but completely transformed her outlook on life.”
Dance, they explain, offers something that traditional workouts often don’t: joyful movement.
“People don’t even realize they’re exercising because they’re having so much fun,” Micic says. “But beyond the physical, it’s the confidence, the social connection, the sense of accomplishment— that’s what keeps people coming back.”
Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Norwalk and Southport welcome all ages and dance levels. fredastaire.com
Bold Flavors on Bedford
Warm hospitality is a signature of BarVera Mediterranean, just as much as the hot, puffy pitas the chefs bake in the kitchen’s brick oven—and there’s no better way to settle into this cozy new restaurant with a menu by “Top Chef” winner Charbel Hayak than with the mezze trio platter.
by elizabeth keyser
It’s meant to be shared, this colorful array of spreads, bread and fresh veggies. Hummus, rich with tahini, bright with
lemon, slicked with olive oil, garnished with whole garbanzos, is silky smooth. Baba ghanouj, smoky, meltingly soft eggplant, is scattered with sparkling pomegranate seeds. Muhammara, a pretty puree of red bell pepper, walnut and pomegranate, is garnished with a mint leaf. Rainbow carrots, slices of cucumber and glistening green, brown and black olives nestled in leaves of baby romaine are ready for dipping. The house-baked pita is
above: To create a Mediterranean fine dining experience at BarVera, local restaurateur Myrna Lahood teamed up with Executive Chef Charbel Hayak.
piping hot, puffy, wheaty and substantial, the best we’ve ever torn into.
Chef Hayak won “Top Chef, Middle East and North Africa (MENA).” He was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, home of one of the world’s great cuisines. He was the executive chef at Ladyhawk in Los Angeles and wrote Lemon and Garlic: Middle Eastern Cuisine. Longtime Fairfield County restaurateur Myrna LaHood and her husband own and operate BarVera and Greenwich Flavor by Myrna’s.
Chef Hayak has created a menu that doesn’t overwhelm the diner. To make manouche, the chefs bake a dough that has fermented for 48 hours into a disk topped with zaatar, a blend of herbs and spices, or akkawi, a brined white cheese similar to feta.
There are two pizzas, classic Margherita and trendy hot honey four cheese, and there are two pastas. Pistachio pesto clung to the al dente orecchiette, showered with finely grated Parmesan, which melted into the herby, nutty sauce.
We noticed servers delivering many plates of shish tawook to tables. The chunks of grilled marinated chicken thighs are served with rice, pickles, garlic sauce and pita. Our server kindly offered to remove the chicken from the skewer. The menu also features tender lamb shank over pearl couscous and duck confit duck with poached pears, with a touch of rose water and honey.
A sprightly salad of frisée and parsley and shiso leaves perched over the grilled branzino filets, which rested in herby green harissa sauce. Grilled asparagus and a nice wedge of lemon rounded out this satisfying dish. Myrna also recommended the burger, adorned with brown butter onions and sumac pickled onions. The chefs triple cook the fries to achieve a puffy crispness, then dust them in spice. Guests can order them as a shareable (or not) starter.
The house-baked lemon olive oil cake is the lightest I have ever tried. A ring of whipped ricotta filled with a spoonful of limoncello syrup adorned the cake, which was showered with lemon zest. Every bright forkful was a joy. Chef Hayak’s take on affogato is special too—a frozen martini glass of vanilla gelato with a shot of espresso melting into a widening well. It’s sprinkled with pistachio brittle.
Black and white photos from all over the Mediterranean hang from the white-paneled
wall in the simple, cozy room. There are 50 seats in the dining room and four comfortable seats at the bar, which faces a hand-painted mural. Four signature cocktails feature Middle Eastern ingredients, including a Lebanese espresso martini with cardamom and the Pom-grenade, a smoky rum, coconut and pomegranate blast. The wine list is also focused, covering the bases with old and new world reds, whites and rosés. Arak, the aniseflavored unsweetened liqueur served over ice, is an old-school tradition and an acquired taste for the uninitiated.
On the evening we visited, guests filled the room with the buzz of conversation and conviviality. Myrna Lahood greeted everyone warmly. This is a family-run restaurant of professionals who want to share their love of Mediterranean culture and cuisine. With an additional 30 outdoor seats, BarVera is destined to be a favorite sidewalk dining spot, so call ahead for reservations.
Open for dinner and soon to be open for lunch. 148 Bedford Street. For more details, visit barverarestaurantgroup.com or follow @barvera.mediterranean on Instagram.
above: BarVera's Charbel Hayak is a former "Top Chef" winner. top left: The homemade hummus is flavored with tahini. left: Shish tawook and baba ghanouj are two popular menu staples. bottom left: Signature cocktails include the Figeroni and Pom-grenade. bottom right: Housebaked pitas are served with the mezze platter's array of dips.
wall in the simple, cozy room. There are 50 On the evening we visited, guests filled
money matters
BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER
TALES FROM THE DIY TRENCHES
The roller coaster stock market of 2025 has been a wake-up call for DIY investors, many of whom have relied on years of record gains to stoke their confidence. Not recently, however.
“We’ve had a lot of people calling,” says Martin Maffei, senior vice president/wealth management at UBS Maffei Wealth Management Group in Westport. “In the past couple of years, people got a little spoiled.
But we look at this through a long-term lens. Corrections are healthy and normal.”
While the reassuring words could serve as a balm to jittery investors, many continue to make similar mistakes, Maffei reports. They:
Try to time the market.
One skittish investor confessed to Maffei in early 2024 that he’d sold all of his holdings after several tumultuous days of world events. Then, after months of watching on the sidelines as stocks soared to record highs, the investor bought back in again. “Remember, it’s always time in the market, and not timing the market. Often, the best days happen during bear markets,” says Maffei, noting that investors who missed the best five days in the market since 1988 would have reduced long-term gains by 37%.
Stash too much money in cash.
The bad news is, inflation lingers. The good news: interest rates remain attractive to savers. That
attraction has led some investors to keep their money in cash vehicles like CDs, money markets and high-interest savings accounts. Beware, Maffei warns.
“It’s still a bit of an illusion. As long as inflation is present you’ll be losing purchasing power over time.”
Overlook tax-advantaged accounts such as HSAs.
“I think we don’t talk about HSAs enough,” Maffei says. “They really can be looked at like an investment account and a supplement to retirement savings.” Health savings accounts enable holders to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for medical expenses, lowering their taxable income in the process. In the meantime, if holders don’t use that money for medical bills, they can invest their HSA money. At age 65, they can withdraw the money penalty-free.
Have too many accounts. What with 401(k)s from various jobs, high-interest savings accounts, Roth IRAs, a cache
of crypto, and your day-job, keeping track of everything may lag in importance. The time has come, Maffei says, to consolidate, “at least for the sake of your beneficiaries. Where it really gets messy is when there’s an estate issue and there are dozens of accounts and nobody knows where they are. Make sure your accounts have beneficiaries on them, which supersedes what’s on the will.”
Forget to diversify.
A lot of DIY investors seek the hot holdings, without a nod to diversification and asset allocation, Maffei says. “They might know they have a concentrated position but they don’t necessarily do anything about it.” While that seems fine when the market rises, when the position gets hammered, it risks a freefall with no buffers. Many advisory firms use derivatives, options, calls, puts and more to help mitigate risk. These tools can be beyond the financial ken of even savvy DIYers.
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or you’re guided by investment professionals, don’t forget to review what you have, where you have it, and why you have it. Whether quarterly, annually or twice a year, compare your holdings to their benchmarks and to your long- and short-term goals. “Things change very quickly. We want to make sure that whatever we did last time we met is appropriate for the future,” Maffei says. “You have to have a disciplined approach. You don’t want to let greed drive your decision making.” Amateur investors often use past performance as a measure of success, but that doesn’t predict future results. Instead, scrutinize each holding as you did when you acquired it, then decide whether it should stay or go.
Martin Maffei
Build Awareness. Reach New Clients.
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contact your Moffly Account Director or Sales Assistant Lemuel Bandala at Lemuel.Bandala@moffly.com or 203.571.1661 for more information.
by jill johnson
Spring is a time of awakening —flowers are blooming, brooks are babbling, baby birds are preparing to fling themselves from the nest … It’s the perfect time to harness all that curious, eager energy and awaken a new passion. Try a new look, sign a new lease on life with a different approach to your health, expose your kids to creative or athletic pursuits, pamper yourself or just pack a picnic with the best local fare and take in the sweet summer weather and a water view.
Here are some wonderful ways to explore the Good Life in 2025. »
mann
SUNSHINE
and SUMMER
BREEZES
AHEAD! There’s no better time to DINE BY THE WATER , maybe even in a BATHING SUIT . Check out these casual options and QUINTESSENTIAL NEW ENGLAND MEALS , no primping or tablecloths (except maybe paper ones) necessary.
Note: It’s completely coincidental that a timely theme of immigrant American-dream stories emerged in this list!
Nothing says summer in New England like a scrumptious lobster roll. Pick up the best in town at Greenwich Fish Company and head down to Tod’s Point for lunch and a dip in the Sound or a sunset picnic. Owner Victor Alvarez is passionate about selling only the finest-quality wildcaught or responsibly-farmed fish. Victor was a teacher in Guatemala before immigrating to the States and becoming a student of the restaurant and seafood world. He learned fast and helped expand a leading fish market to multiple locations. He then met Karina, an expert fish cutter, who helped him fulfill his dream of opening Greenwich Fish Company and captured his heart, too.
The name of the grill may change, but one thing remains a given at Compo Beach’s eatery: buttery lobster rolls (or the cold mayo version). Just hit the beach with a towel and flip flops, and leave the food and drinks to Hook’d, which caters to the sandy-footed crowd with a casual cafeteria-style line and picnictable seating in an open-air pavilion. Elevated offerings like salads and fish tacos balance out the standard burger-and-hot dog beach fare—plus irresistible greasy fries for all.
Tote a gourmet picnic from Palmer’s to Pear Tree Point Beach or Weed Beach in Darien. Palmer’s Market has been in the family for five generations, which is why everything they do is time-tested and done right. Palmer’s began as a butcher shop over 100 years ago, launched by young Italian immigrant Rocco Joseph Palmer. Now their excellent butchery is complemented by a bakery, prepared meals, produce, specialty items, catering, a flower shop and a gift shop. The Palmers who run the store today combine an array of business and culinary degrees to continue the Palmer’s dedication to integrity, legacy, ambition and charitable spirit. »
Grab take-out and a table on the porch at the back of Rowayton Market anytime of day for a serene, low-key snack or meal, overlooking Five Mile River. Sip a coffee or ice coffee in the morning with an egg sandwich or pain au chocolat or enjoy a Caesar Salad at lunchtime or one of the Market’s gourmet bestselling sandwiches: the Crockett, East Beach, Indian Trail or the McKinley. At sunset, nibble on gourmet cheeses, or indulge in a cheesesteak. Then ponder what the river was like in the mid-1800s when packet ships stopped at this very market (one of the oldest in Connecticut), delivering meats, produce and dry goods.
drsordersbakingco.com
Daniel Reardon has been obsessed with baking since hovering over his mother’s shoulder in their Indiana kitchen. Fortunately for us, he now resides in Connecticut (and New York), and the Doctor is ordering us to indulge in the exquisite cookies he has been fine tuning since he was a midwestern boy. You may have seen his cookies sprinkled around New Canaan, including at The Playhouse. His “prescriptions” come in the forms of: Kitchen Sink Cookies (there’s even a gluten-free version), Peanut Butter Cookies, Brown Butter Blondies, Carrot Cake and a whole host of drool-worthy medicines in-between. Go for the Assorted Dozen to try them all. And don’t forget Roo’s Dog Treats for your furry pals. The DRs. ORDERs Baking Co. also offers catering, which, of course, is sweet.
1835 Post Road East, Westport HOURS: Wed.–Sun. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (or until sold out) fattoamanobreads.com
You know those stories of people eating carbs in Italy and not feeling the same slump they experience here? This new artisanal Italian micro-bakery, Fatto a Mano, brings you the fine ingredients and timetested recipes you’d find in the old country. Enjoy fresh sourdough bread, focaccia, pannetone and pastries—all naturally leavened. You may have already tasted these goods at the farmer’s market or Wakeman Town Farms. The brickand-mortar shop means your breadbox will be full all week. »
Drs. Orders Baking Co., Brown Butter Cereal Bars
Fatto A Manno
THE GOOD LIFE IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE. We want to FEEL GOOD ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, to tend to our appearance but not obsess about it, to find the MOST REWARDING CAREER PATH and navigate the bumps with ease and HELP OUR KIDS LAND AT THE IDEAL COLLEGE FOR THEM (without either of us going batty in the process!). FROM A BROW MAKEOVER TO A LIFE REBOOT , the services and mavens you need to COMPLETE YOUR LIFE MAY BE RIGHT HERE in this list of editor FAVORITES.
theessayconqueror.com @conquertheessay
Life is not good when you must constantly nag your slothful teens—whose attention spans have been reduced to the length of a TikTok video—to write their college application essays. Enter the Essay Conqueror. Suzanne Gannon is an award-winning journalist and essayist whose work has appeared in titles like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Town & Country. Now her college-bound students are amassing a new list of wins for her: Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Duke, UCLA, Berkeley, Brown, Dartmouth, Northwestern, UVA (her alma mater), University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin and more. Suzanne has a way of pulling out kids’ quirks and helping them highlight their individuality. No nagging necessary. Coaching sessions are via Zoom and commence with a 20-minute complimentary consultation.
juttaguiati.com
Finns are known to be some of the happiest—and healthiest—people on the planet. But rather than jet over to Scandinavia to unearth their secrets, you can get a life and career reboot right here, from Jutta Guiati. Described by one of our editors as “the most effervescent Finnish woman,” Jutta is a corporate career coach who offers personal coaching. She has guided stay-at-home moms back into the workforce; enabled stressed professionals to thrive at work and find more joy at home; and helped individuals establish, stick to and achieve ambitious career goals. Is this your year?
Westport/Online newwaywriter.com
Have a film or TV pilot idea you always wanted to get down on paper? Whether you dream of selling a script or are just looking for a creative outlet, Hollywood screenwriter GiGi New will help you find your voice and master the challenging art of storytelling for the screen. Work one-on-one or in groups in her Westport studio or online. Offerings for teens and aspiring film school students will help them catch the attention of top programs. Check GiGi’s site for upcoming classes and workshops.
Aileen Barcia has been beautifying eyes for eight years after falling in love with her wedding lashes. She offers lash extensions, lash lift and tint, eyebrow waxing, tinting and lamination. Her clients call her a magician and love the ease of low-maintenance always-glam lashes. Aileen also swears by the lash growth serum she sells. Her site features an array of eye-enhancing products like Fluff Up Lash Wands, Cool Down Eye Masks, Lash Bath Gel and Foam Cleanser.
972 Post Road (Suite 202), Darien 203-939-0077 skinstudioct.com
173 Hamilton Avenue, Greenwich 914-565-5229 fabulousbrowstudio.com @fabulousbrowstudioct
What Fernanda Ortega wants is for her clients to feel fabulous every day of their lives. Her highly skilled handiwork with enhancing lashes and brows is a sure way to bestow a bright-eyed outlook. Fernanda is a certified artist in 3D microblading, microshading and powder brows. Her specialty is the hyper-realistic brow technique, a micropigmentation that yields the most natural results. Other services include eyelash extensions and lash lift, brow lamination and semipermanent makeup applications—lip blush, powder brows and tightliner. Clients rave about Fernanda’s work and the warm and welcoming feel at her studio. Fernanda recently became a U.S. citizen and also got married in a small ceremony—in her boutique!
Skin Studio has had its own glow-up recently, moving to a luxe new space above the Goose in Darien. Clients rave about the glowing results of laser treatments here. Offerings include: Facial Wrinkle Release (Botox, Dysport and Xeomin), Studio Secret IPLxResurfacing laser, Sculptra (an injectable treatment that stimulates collagen production and restores facial volume), Morpheus (a skinrejuvenation treatment combining micro-needling and radio frequency technology), Glo2 Facial (a noninvasive treatment that oxygenates, exfoliates and hydrates the skin), dermaplaning facial, chemical peels, laser hair removal, Keralase (for hair loss) and more. Those who want to go all in can indulge in the Holy Grail: a combo of Morpheus8, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and Ultra Resurfacing Laser technology.
1698 Post Road East, Westport thebeautyloftspa.com
Detox your body from the inside out at Sofia Guerrero’s Beauty Loft. Word is that The Beauty Loft’s lymphatic drainage massages have a cult following. Rejuvenating facials, lash and brow enhancements and teeth whitening are also on the menu. Bonus: The Beauty Loft is located within Kara Mac’s A Place to Glow spray tan boutique. »
HAS A FAVORITE NEW SHOP OPENED in your neighborhood? Better yet, HAS ONE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS OPENED ONE? Since space here allows only A
Stamford Town Center 100 Greyrock Place, Stamford shopstamfordtowncenter.com/ stores/hey-stamford
“Hey Stamford!” blogger PJ Kennedy has opened a Hey Stamford! shop in the Stamford Town Center. The proud native Stamford resident (his family has been here since 1879) has stocked the fourth-floor store with merchandise like sweatshirts, PJs and more, repping different neighborhoods. The T-shirt that reads, “Stamford runs on hot oil” (a nod to Colony Pizza) was a huge holiday hit.
After
k-kane.com; @kkanejewelry
From the coolest letter charm necklaces and bracelets for a casual summer day to exquisite diamond rings for the Big Day, K Kane does
it all. Founder Katherine Kane, who has been passionately designing and making jewelry since she was a kid, has moved the chic jewelry brand’s headquarters from Nolita to Fairfield County. Each piece is handcrafted, just for you, by artisans in K Kane’s workshops in the U.S. Stay tuned to find out where she opens up her shop, to which every stylish woman in town and savvy gift/ring-buying man are sure to flock!
Love Bella founder Ellie Zieminski prides herself on treating each client in her boutique like a girlfriend— meaning she won’t let you buy something that doesn’t make you look and feel great. Not to mention, your Love Bella shopping spree—a floral maxidress, a summery suit for work, a fun mini dress, a fashionforward top—won’t break the bank either. Stamford is the fourth
K Kane, Fine Friendship Link Stud
K Kane, Protection Golden Age Studs
K Kane, Fine Friendship Skinny Ear Cuff
Spice, Westport
location after successful boutiques in Larchmont, Rye and Charleston (a store Ellie opened with her sister in 2019). The North Carolina native now lives in Stamford with her family and furry friends, so shopping at Love Bella means showing some love for a neighbor. The beaded pouches make sweet gifts for everyone on your love list.
888 Post Road East, Westport
HOURS: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; 203-293-6910; saatva.com
Mattresses, huh? How does this fit in this list? A sound night’s sleep is foundational to a good life, people! Saatva has opened a viewing room in Westport, where you can test out mattresses before purchasing and enjoying a 365-night home trial. Saatva assures its beds support proper spinal alignment for a healthy, happy back. Mattress toppers come with a 180-night home trial. Saatva also sells bed frames, the coolest bedside lamps, benches for foot-ofbed storage, serene bedroom chairs, rugs and candles—for the finishing touch on dreamy bedrooms.
Longtime Westporter Susan Altschuler has opened a Sconset Square outpost of her Delray Beach shop, Spice. The name is not about what you put on food. It’s about those good things that bring a little spice to life: housewares, décor, gifts, art, fashion. There is even Tiny Spice for the wee ones, with the most adorable baby clothes. The shop has character, flair and heart. When Susan came across a gorgeous coffee table book on Los Angeles in January, she immediately put in an order and earmarked the proceeds for the L.A. Red Cross. »
257 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich
48 Reef Road, Fairfield
110 Main Street, New Canaan
HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
203-814-9198
no-299-ct.myshopify.com
No. 299 has opened a new location in Old Greenwich, bringing curated goods for home and her to Sound Beach Avenue. Shoppers looking for gifts or some shopping therapy will find unique dishes, tumblers, stoneware, hand-painted measuring cups and butter dishes, home fragrance, candles, frames, jewelry, apparel, bags and more. Owner Jackie Fucigna infuses a vintage vibe with her love of mixing old and new.
We are an artsy bunch here in Southern Connecticut. THE ARTS HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE POWER to turn a dull day into a MAGICAL ONE, to cradle us fully IN THE MOMENT, TO LIFT UP the marginalized, TO GIVE VOICE and VISION to anyone who can stand on a stage, type a script or hold a paintbrush. ART, MUSICAL THEATER, CINEMA, IMPROV, WRITING, JAZZ, WOODWORKING— there are ENDLESS CREATIVE and CULTURAL ACTIVITIES here for kids and adults.
like in the 1700s at the Bush-Holley House), Artful Adventures (learn about the Cos Cob Art Colony and the artists who lived and created in the Bush-Holley House) and Historical Happenings (for senior campers to explore history from Colonial times through the 19th century). Family and friends are invited for Family Fridays from 2 to 2:30 p.m., to see what their campers have created.
47 Strickland Road, Cos Cob 203-869-6899; greenwichhistory.org
Art & History Camp kicks off on July 14 for second- through eighthgraders. Campers enjoy a highly interactive exploration of the unique history and art of Greenwich across the Historical Society campus. Weekly camps include Colonial Connections (discover what life was
19 Stephen Mather Road, Darien 203-202-7602; matherhomestead.org
The Mather Homestead dates back to 1778. Stephen Tyng Mather was the founder of our National Parks System. What better place to take a breather from our fast-paced, digital world and enjoy an art lecture on Impressionist gardenscapes (Wednesday, June 11, 12:30 p.m.), a seminar on the lyrics of Bob Dylan (Thursday, July 31, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), a kids’ book club and craft, or a week of art plein-air for those eager to paint, draw or photograph among fellow artistes (Sunday, June 8 to 15 with a lunch on Wednesday, June 11).
palacestamford.org/arts-educationprograms
Theater kids will love the Palace’s “Triple Threat Performer” summer camp—a two-week intensive musical theater program from Monday, July 7 to 18 (ages 9–16). Program director Luis Salgado, Broadway Assistant Choreographer of the Tony-winning show In the Heights, emphasizes making art with a purpose while immersing students in the dynamic components of musical theater. Classes (Musical Theater, Body Percussion, Latin Fusion, Song Interpretation, Hip-Hop and more) are taught by New York artists from Salgado Productions.
Congregational Church 524 Pequot Avenue, Southport 917-361-7765 mybroadwaybootcamp.com
In its 24th year, Broadway Boot Camp offers three three-week sessions (third through tenth grade) throughout the summer and a new two-week session (K through second grade) the second half of July, each culminating in a musical production staged at Downtown Cabaret Bridgeport during the final weekend of each session. The rehearsal days include acting and dance classes, scene and music rehearsals, performance games and a whole lot of theater-kid glee!
Toquet Hall & Saugatuck Congregational Church, Westport triplethreat.us
Cynthia Gibb’s Triple Threat Academy has an array of programs for young thespians and future SNL improv actors, but some of the most enthusiastic goofballs on their stages lately are the students in the growing Adult Improv class on Monday nights. Why should the kids have all the fun? It’s impossible to ponder your to-do list when on stage thinking on your feet or watching in stitches. The staff includes two teachers who cut their teeth on the L.A. improv scene: Keith Contreras-McDonald (Upright Citizens Brigade) and Mike O’Hara (Second City). Contreras-McDonald, a Juilliard grad and professional actor based in New York, also comes out to teach an Adult Acting scene-study class on Tuesday evenings. »
Think you have to head to Greenwich Village to find a great jazz club? Think again. For two years, the Jazz Society of Fairfield County has been bringing celebrated jazz artists and promising new talent to a venue overlooking the Saugatuck River and boasting fabulous acoustics: Westport’s Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399. Every Thursday evening, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., jazz enthusiasts, music lovers and anyone looking for a little toetappin’ decompression should make it a weekly tradition. It might be worth the trip just to hear notes played on the 1937 Steinway—formerly the house piano at the famous Village Gate jazz club in New York City.
151 Main Street, New Canaan 203-594-5000 newcanaanlibrary.org
The beautiful New Canaan Library green opened last year, and many events are in the works for your openair enjoyment. Groove on the Green, a must-hear free music event, hits the Green on Saturday, May 17. This year’s event will bring a country twang to the Green with the upbeat country music band Shot Down, as well as line dancing lessons to make the outing an active and contagiously fun one. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic dinner to enjoy on the Green.
93 Elm Street, New Canaan 203-594-1200 cinemalab.com
The historic New Canaan Playhouse reopened last year, giving the discerning film buff a venue with style, history, and more than your average Blockbuster flicks. Cinema Lab, the company behind the revamp, believes that “movie theatres that were once the literal and metaphorical heartbeat of the community should be reimagined as the social and entertainment soul … the backbone of the high street.”
The Pub offers delicious fare and a full bar. The Marquis Lounge on the second floor provides a membersonly retreat. The lounge and theater are both available for private rentals. Keep a lookout for fun local events and movie screenings followed by Q&As with local writers and directors.
If you haven’t experienced a concert at this spectacular venue, get your tickets now! The summer lineup is as star-packed as ever, with a slew of nostalgic treasures, including Ringo Starr, Counting Crows, Rick Springfield, Barenaked Ladies, Styx, Chicago, Toto, Goo Goo Dolls, James Taylor and even Jerry Seinfeld. Tedeschi Trucks Band is so popular they are playing two nights. VIP lounges, suites, clubs and fare abound, but there is no bad seat in this breathtaking, canopy-covered, open-air venue. The place even has marble public bathrooms. Enjoy warm summer breezes and local food from Garden Catering, Gotham Burger, Lil Pub, Nordic Fish, Freskos Greek and many more. »
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, and Stamford Health have opened a new outpatient center in Westport. The nearly 10,000-squarefoot location offers orthopedic appointments and on-site X-rays. Physical therapy services are available at another HSS–Stamford Health collaboration, open since 2022—HSS Sports Rehab Westport (1547 Post Road East). Westport happens to be the birthplace of HSS’s third Surgeonin-Chief, William B. Coley, MD, born in 1862. HSS also has locations in Wilton (195 Danbury Road) and, of course, Stamford (in the Tully Health Center and Stamford Hospital).
104 Heights Road, Darien 22 Pine Street, New Canaan 20 Elm Street, Westport 888-663-6331 onemedical.com/locations/ct
Amazon’s One Medical has arrived at your doorstep. Primary care doctors here care for adults of all ages, including seniors on Medicare. From physicals and screenings to gynecological care and mental health services, One Medical offers everyday and preventive care. Sameday appointments and 24/7 video chats with providers are part of One Medical’s commitment to the ease of the healthcare experience for its members.
AT THE ROOT of the GOOD LIFE is GOOD HEALTH. New medical centers are popping up in our towns, along with NEW APPROACHES to FEELING GOOD . While we have wonderful hospitals in Fairfield County, FINDING HEALTH CARE RIGHT DOWN the STREET CAN BE A RELIEF when the alternative might be a busy ER or faraway imaging center. JUST NEED a SOOTHING SOUND BATH, NUTRIENT IV or REMEDY for BRAIN FOG? READ ON ...
877 Post Road East, Westport 203-557-0644 restore.com/locations
Cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, compression, IV therapy, skin health services and more … Develop a wellness plan at Restore Hyper Wellness, and get in on the movement launched by triathlete Steve Welch in 2015. Reduced inflammation, reduced muscle aches and pain, increased collagen production, enhanced mood and better sleep are just some of the benefits of these innovative treatments.
184 Selleck Street, Stamford 203-973-7768
950 Post Road East, Westport 203-303-9933; spotonvet.com
203-717-4777 groundedmeditationstudio.com
Even though stillness goes against the grain of us uber-busy folk, it’s what we need most! Grounded Meditation, founded by attorney-yogi-healer Diane Barnett (who knows a thing or two about the fast-paced life), offers a menu of meditation styles, reiki, dancing mindfulness, sound healing and more, in group or privates, with virtual options. The latest events are drawing the calmest of crowds to be bathed in the sounds of crystal and Himalayan bowls, chimes, gongs, drums, bells and Native American flutes in backyards and at partner locations like Carriage Barn Arts Center (New Canaan), Nielson’s Green House (Darien) and The Healing Sanctuary (Fairfield).
516-447-8024; phlowiv.com
Are you ready for IV therapy but prefer the drip be administered in the comfort of your own home? No problem. Phlow IV’s registered nurses come to you, with rejuvenating IV treatments for postpartum women, migraine sufferers, fertility, flu, hangovers, rehydration, energy and more. Clients also frequently report: “No more brain fog!”
Versailles Medical Spa offers all kinds of face and body treatments, but the one that people are buzzing about from the spa’s health and wellness menu is IV therapy. These nutrient infusions boost beauty, energy and hydration. Tailored blends serve each client’s specific needs: anti-aging, weight loss, overall wellness, performance boosters, fat burners, immunity boosters and the popular “Myers’ Cocktail.” Unlike the kind you get at happy hour, it will make you happier and healthier.
World-class care, conciergelevel customer service, luxurious environment—clearly this is the place for your pampered pooch or queenly kitty cat. The Stamford location on the Greenwich border houses a stateof-the-art veterinarian hospital, plush pet hotel, doggie daycare, a grooming spa and training services. A new location in Westport (in the former Men’s Wearhouse site) is open seven days a week. Recovering pets have toddler beds and even TVs in their rooms, as well as cameras so owners can keep a watchful eye on their furry friends from home. Dr. Phillip Putter and his wife, Rebecca, run the business and care for all creatures, great and small. Spot On also makes house calls and offers valet service to pick up pets and drop them home— mended, groomed and clearly living the good life.
1055 High Ridge Road, Stamford 203-890-9200
36 McKinley Street, Norwalk rowaytondogpark.com
Because dogs need fresh air, a nice run, recreation and social time to maintain their good life! Dogs go off leash in this expansive, fencedin meadow. Chances are, the furry visitors will make friends at Rowayton Dog Park and so will their owners. Perks include doggie bags, fresh water, benches and a rinse-off hose. »
Squash used to have that twobusinessmen-whacking-away-whiletalking-stock-deals kinda vibe. But these days, squash as a youth sport is growing like mad. At Chelsea Piers, the program is led by the incredibly lovely good-guy Will Newnham, who also happens to coach the Darien High School team and previously coached at Ox Ridge and King. Newnham has coached top-ranked junior players on the international level, but he is just as passionate about teaching the game to those who are looking for some fun and a social connection.
Greenwich Youth Football Club greenwichyouthfootball.org
Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich bgcg.org
Flag football has become such a big deal that the tackle-free game will be an Olympic sport in the 2028 games. Stamford Flag Football is so well run and popular that talks are underway with multiple locations to continue to the middle school years, possibly beyond. Teams are coed. Dedicated players even keep making touchdowns after the snow flies; Greenwich Boys and Girls Club has run an off-season, indoor winter league since 2019. Greenwich Youth Football caters to first- and second-graders in the fall and firstthrough eighth-graders in the spring. Wherever you live, your town is sure to have a flag team.
The Clubhouse Westport
1620 Post Road East, Westport 203-292-3169
theclubhousewestport.com
Not your average golf course, The Clubhouse Westport is an indoor activity and social hub with full-swing golf simulators, Dartsee dart boards, two karaoke rooms, a full bar with the largest video wall in Westport and an extensive pub menu to rival any country club’s. A rooftop bar will appeal to those who like to lounge more than walk the links. Owners Tim and Emily Zobl are University of Michigan alumni, so all major U Mich sporting events are a party at the Clubhouse complete with an Ann Arbor-inspired menu. (Wear your maize and blue.) Multiple spaces
or the whole shebang can be rented out for birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, bachelor nights or corporate events.
Greenwich Water Polo is the only East Coast team even uttered in the same conversation with the renowned California squads. That said, CT Premier, which practices out of Chelsea Piers, is steadily improving its ranks and sending recruits to top schools. Kids come from all over Westchester and Fairfield County to learn what is arguably one of the most physically strenuous and mentally demanding sports. Players are constantly swimming and treading water, so they need strength and endurance, while also needing to handle the ball with finesse. The summer programs at local shore and country clubs are also gaining in popularity.
Sure, there are a lot of rowing clubs in our coastal towns, but one of the programs at Westport’s Saugatuck Rowing Club is notably unique. If you happen to notice a sea of pink-clad rowers in a pink boat gliding along the Saugatuck River, mostly likely you are watching a group of breast-cancer survivors pulling with all their might and celebrating pulling through. “Empowering breast cancer survivors one stroke at a time” is the program’s motto. Formed in partnership with Smilow Family Breast Health Center at Norwalk Hospital in 2018, the program is free of charge, reaffirming that fact that rowers have big hearts. Donations to support the program, which helps these women feel like they are flying and walking on water all at the same time, can be made on the website.
Grace Farms
365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan 203-920-1702 gracefarms.org
Yoga studios abound in our towns, but the yoga on the first Saturday of each month at serene and otherworldly Grace Farms is a full experience, including acoustic accompaniment and a cup of tea from Grace Farms Tea & Coffee. Instructor Pilin Anice, a wellness guide, believes in connecting, healing and evolving through Ayurveda, yoga, self-care, dance and drum. She is also on faculty at Kripalu and Ailey Extension.
Pilin Anice of Grace Farms
STORIES OF STAMFORD
MEET THE newcomers AND locals WHO CALL THIS CITY home
BY JOEY MACARI
// 1 Dawn Coppola owns Humbled Coffeehouse and the adjoining boutique. // 2 Kelsi Nyman at one of her local networking events. // 3 The Dichter family moved here in 2020.
Stamford is a city of contrasts. A place where change is constant, yet the bonds that unite its people remain strong, often surprising those who settle here. At the heart of this is a community reshaping itself, where personal journeys mirror the city’s growth, creating a living, breathing mosaic of experiences.
In this piece, we explore Stamford through the eyes of those who call it home, each with a unique perspective: a family who left the hustle of New York City in search of space and a return to their hometown roots, a longtime local reflecting on the city’s evolution, and a young professional who has found in Stamford the perfect blend of career opportunity and personal balance. These stories reveal the true core of a city like Stamford: one where growth and change coexist with the people who knew it as just a small town—an evolution of character and community, shaped by those who’ve witnessed its transformation firsthand.
THE PROFESSIONAL Kelsi Nyman
When Kelsi Nyman moved to Stamford, she started sharing her experience online—an NYC, 20-somethingtransplant figuring out life in a new city. The response was overwhelming. “So many other women reached out, saying they were going through the same thing,” says Nyman. That realization inspired her to start hosting local events, helping others navigate the transition and build connections. What started as a way to document her own journey quickly became a platform for community.
Beyond the lifestyle, Stamford has given Nyman a real sense of belonging. Moving from New York came with its adjustments—finding favorite coffee shops, discovering go-to dinner spots and figuring out where to spend weekends. But through her growing network, she found herself not just settling in, but actively shaping the experience for others in the same boat.
Now feeling completely at home, Nyman balances her remote marketing job in fashion with exploring everything Stamford has to offer—restaurants, boutiques, happy hours and waterfront views included. “Stamford still has that city feel without being as intense as NYC,” she says. “It’s full of young professionals, has an easy commute, and it offers so many career opportunities.” Whether she’s working from Third Place, grabbing coffee at Winfield or heading out for a night downtown, she loves the walkability and vibrancy of her new home.
Her advice for newcomers? Give it time. “Winter can be tough, but summer here is incredible,” she says. “There are free events in Harbor Point, outdoor dining everywhere, and being by the water is amazing.” And most importantly—put yourself out there. “You won’t meet new people from your couch!”
LOCAL FAVORITES BEST-KEPT STAMFORD SECRET?
Taj Halal—it’s a nice spot for a quick, healthy bowl.
GIVE A STAMFORD SHOUTOUT:
The Pure Barre Stamford community—can’t wait for the new studio space!
DESCRIBE STAMFORD IN ONE WORD: Vibrant MUST-VISIT PLACE FOR NEWCOMERS?
Crab Shell or Prime—both are on the water.
BEST SPOT FOR A NIGHT OUT?
Tiernan’s is a great Irish pub and restaurant.
Tiernan’s
Pure Barre Stamford
Crab Shell
STAMFORD STILL HAS THAT CITY FEEL WITHOUT BEING AS INTENSE AS NYC.
KELSI NYMAN // fashion marketer and influencer
this photo: Kelsi Nyman documents life in her new hometown on Instagram.
I JUST KNEW IN MY HEART THIS WAS THE PLACE.
DAWN COPPOLA // coffeehouse and boutique owner
this page: Dawn Coppola runs House of Humbled boutique and Humbled Coffeehouse. opposite page, top left: Coppola, with her three children, is a lifelong Stamford resident.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
THE LONGTIME LOCAL
Dawn Coppola
For Dawn Coppola, Stamford is more than just home—it’s where her life has unfolded in extraordinary, unexpected ways. A lifelong Stamford resident, Coppola faced a turning point in 2011 after a near-fatal car accident left her rethinking everything. At the time, she was a single mother of three, navigating the demands of corporate America while trying to hold her family together. But the accident forced her to pause and reevaluate her life.
Years later, while working on a puzzle titled “Hope,” Coppola had a dream about opening a coffeehouse. It was vivid, clear and unshakable. That dream eventually led her to a cozy space in Springdale, a neighborhood she never expected would become the heart of her next chapter. She opened Humbled Coffeehouse on the anniversary of her accident, fittingly located on Hope Street. “I just knew in my heart this was the place,” she recalls.
For Coppola, the coffee shop and adjoining boutique, House of Humbled, is not just a business. “It’s a place where people put their phones down and are personal and intentional,” she says. From morning regulars to newcomers seeking a warm smile, the space has become a cornerstone of the community.
Her faith and resilience are woven into every detail, but it’s the people of Stamford who inspire her daily. “The gratitude and support from this community have been overwhelming,” she says. In turning personal tragedy into a place of comfort and joy, Coppola has given Stamford a gift—a reminder that even from life’s hardest moments, something beautiful can grow.
LOCAL FAVORITES
GIVE A STAMFORD SHOUTOUT: Mr. Rich Wilson, our favorite neighbor!
WHICH LOCAL DINER HAS THE BEST BREAKFAST?
Lakeside Diner
DESCRIBE STAMFORD IN ONE WORD: Dynamic MUST-VISIT PLACE FOR NEWCOMERS: Humbled, of course.
BEST PLACE TO FEEL CONNECTED TO NATURE IN STAMFORD: Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens
Humbled Coffeehouse
Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in the fall
Lakeside Diner
THE FAMILY Hayley and Ryan Dichter
Growing up in Stamford, Hayley Dichter has fond memories of weekends spent with her dad at Lakeside Diner, enjoying breakfast together and soaking in the small-town charm of their community. Little did she know that one day she would return to the city with her husband, Ryan, and their growing family, to give her children the same sense of connection to this place she’s always called home.
“I truly never thought I would leave the city,” Dichter says, thinking back on their decision to move from Manhattan. After years of city life, the pandemic pushed Hayley and Ryan to reassess what mattered most. In June 2020, they came to Stamford for a two-week stay—and ended up staying the whole summer. By October, they had moved into their new home.
For Hayley, returning to Stamford was more than just about proximity to family—it was a chance to pass on the traditions that had shaped her upbringing. “I want my kids to have the same experiences I had here,” she says. For Ryan, a Colorado native, the move to Stamford felt like a natural fit, offering a small-town vibe with easy access to New York City for his work as a licensed realtor in both New York and Connecticut. “I grew up in a small town, and Shippan gives me the best of both worlds,” Ryan says. “The biggest difference is the water. In Colorado, it’s all about the mountains, no matter the season. Here, it’s all about the waterfront, and I love that.”
Now, the Dichter family enjoys creating their own traditions—whether it’s paddleboarding on the water, fall trips to the Stamford Nature Center, or visiting local parks. But for their daughter, Teddy, a perfect day is seeing Peppa Pig come to life at the Palace Theatre—“That’s a big deal in our house.”
LOCAL FAVORITES GIVE A STAMFORD SHOUTOUT: Dr. Cahill at Coastal OB/GYN BEST-KEPT STAMFORD
SECRET: Alex W Studio is a private hair boutique. (@alex.wstudio)
FAVORITE PLACE FOR NEWCOMERS: With kids, Angel Land. For adults, Cafe Silvium.
FAVORITE EATS: Brennan’s, Casa Villa, Sunny Daes
DESCRIBE STAMFORD IN ONE WORD: Home
I WANT MY KIDS TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES I HAD HERE.
HAYLEY
DICHTER // Stamford native and mother of two
Cafe Silvium
Sunny Daes
Palace Theatre
this page: Hayley and Ryan
left New York City during the pandemic and decided to stay in Stamford.
Dichter
COASTA L BOOM
Stamford Harbor is
a
bustling waterfront with a focus on the future
BY SCOTT THOMAS // PHOTOGRAPHS BY KYLE NORTON
Over the past six decades, Yale Greenman has seen Stamford Harbor transform from an undiscovered and very underutilized piece of community fabric to a thriving hub of activity that serves as the maritime gateway for commercial and recreational pursuits.
“Stamford Harbor has gone through a huge metamorphosis,’’ says Greenman, the Stamford Harbor Master who is a lifelong boater and grew up navigating local waters. “Back then, it was a sleepy harbor with a few small local boatyards. It always was a commercial harbor. Recreational traffic has increased considerably over the years. We’ve got it all.”
Development has played an important role in increased activity in the harbor. Over the past two decades, thousands of housing units have flooded the area, many of them with views of Long Island Sound and quick
access to harbor amenities. Businesses and restaurants have moved there, and people can find activities such as yoga, paddleboarding, kayaking and biking. From schooners to sunbathers, everyone wants a piece of the action in Stamford Harbor. It’s the city’s miniversion of the United Nations, where everyone
is welcome to find an activity they enjoy.
Russ Hollander, a member of the Harbor Management Commission who has been sailing out of Stamford for more than 40 years, believes nearly 40 percent of Stamford’s 52 square miles is covered by water at high tide, and that much of its population of more
above: A vintage postcard of the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, which moved to Stamford in 1868.
The inscription reads:
“They have mills here too, you see.”
right Stamford’s industrial waterfront was redeveloped into Harbor Point.
O & G Industries has operated a barge terminal there since the 1990s.
10-year project
above and below: Harbor Point is home to apartments, restaurants, offices and a marina. left:
The extensive
covers nearly 90 acres.
than 136,000 lives within a short drive of the city’s 19-mile coastline. “It’s like living at the foot of Stowe Mountain and having one of the most incredible assets in the world at your front door,’’ Hollander says. “There is an opportunity to access water in many ways.”
While its popularity has soared, so has concern over the harbor’s future. Responsible management and appropriate stewardship are paramount. No one wants to tamp down activity. But they also don’t want it to become an example of Yogi Berra’s classic line — “Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.”
“It’s important over the next 10 years to create and uphold good policies,’’ says Damian Ortelli, Chairman of the Harbor Management Committee. “We want to fit in all the various uses of the harbor and support commercial businesses, fishermen, and shell fishermen. There needs to be enough thought and process to make sure everyone gets what they need out of the harbor.”
How the city navigates that path, however, is critical to its future.
Vital Component
The harbor proved instrumental in Stamford’s industrial growth. Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, a builder of hardware, locks and post office boxes, moved to Stamford from Massachusetts in 1868 and sparked the city’s growth as an industrial heavyweight. The lock maker grew to 25 acres and employed nearly 5,000 people. More manufacturers gradually moved in during the late 19th century, many of them settling near the harbor to take advantage of access to shipping.
“It all originates from when commerce was fairly water-dependent,’’ Greenman says. “That was way before Interstate 95. Most of the materials came in by boat. Then the industrial park was built up by the water. Most of the industries have moved up, and now they’ve put up residences and apartments down by the water.”
Stamford is still one of the three busiest ports in the state, along with Bridgeport and New Haven. What makes Stamford different, however, is the combination of recreational and commercial users. While that has always been the harbor’s calling card, the range of activities has increased substantially.
“We’ve had quite a mix of uses in the harbor, from industrial to recreational and everything
We’ve had quite a mix of uses in the harbor, from industrial to recreational and everything in between. The changing of the neighborhoods from industrial to residential has created some growing pains.
DAMIAN ORTELLI, Chairman of the Harbor Management Committee
in between,’’ Ortelli says. “The changing of the neighborhoods from industrial to residential has created some growing pains. It has led to wonderful availability for people who work and live close to Long Island Sound. That’s not something you would have done 20 years ago. It was not the ideal place to live or grab a bite to eat.”
The first apartments at Harbor Point, a transit-oriented mixed-use development, opened in 2010 and started a brisk pace to transform the area. More than 4,000 residences are currently located in Harbor Point. Meanwhile, homes along the shoreline are highly coveted in areas like Shippan, Dolphin Cove and The Cove.
West Beach and Cummings Park, which span 108 acres, multiple marinas and several yacht clubs, all bring people into the area. Commercial enterprises, such as O&G
Industries and Rubino Brothers, have been long-time tenants near the harbor. Rubino, a full-scale recycler of scrap metal, has been in the city for more than a century.
The common theme for everyone who lives and works near the harbor is convenient access to Long Island Sound. Water is a magnet to which everyone is drawn.
“If you go to a harbor in New Haven, you’re not going to see someone out there paddleboarding,’’ Ortelli says. “There are some big tugs and barges. In Stamford, you could have a double barge, completely laden, going by a sailboat, a tiki hut and a paddleboarder.”
Harbor Future
The city’s challenge going forward is marrying the many uses of the harbor safely, monitoring ongoing development and maintaining infrastructure while also combating climate change and fostering resilience. This is not a pick-and-choose option. All those concerns need careful decision-making and management.
“We’re working on a 10-year comprehensive plan to see what comes forward,’’ says Leah Kagan, the city’s Director of Economic Development. “It’s very clear there has been development adjacent to the harbor. We’ll see some transit-oriented development north of the harbor that will enhance some of the elements that exist there.”
One of the elements was unveiled in December. StamFORWARD is a new on-demand ride-share system that is less expensive than similar services. The coverage area includes the South End, Downtown and West Side. Users can request low-cost rides through an app. Ride-sharing plays an important role in an attempt to reduce congestion in streets around the harbor.
“We’re also excited about the burgeoning opportunity on Pacific Street,” Kagan says. “It’s a village street project that will include streetlevel lighting, crosswalks and a core retail cluster. We’re working to encourage growth of the retail cluster.”
She adds that the city Zoning Board has approved regulations for the former Fairway site that reduces the required square footage. The 86,000-square-foot supermarket closed in 2021, but finding a new tenant had been challenging due to regulations that required supermarkets to be at least 40,000 square feet. The city hopes the zoning change will lead to multiple tenants occupying the space.
HONORING THE PAST
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PHIL NELSON
P reserving M aritime History
We were concerned that if the lighthouse kept deteriorating, it would be lost. It was critical that we save this part of our history.
GARY
Co-Founder and President, Stamford Lighthouse Project
For the last decade, Gary Kalan witnessed the deterioration of the Stamford Lighthouse daily. His Dolphin Cove home—about a half-mile from the 60-foot structure—is closest in proximity, and the neglect and inattention gnawed at his sailor’s soul.
“We were concerned that if the lighthouse kept deteriorating, it would be lost,’’ Kalan says. “It was critical that we save this part of our history.”
Brendan McGee felt the same way. He also had experience, having been part of the team that recently finished restoring Greens Ledge Lighthouse in Rowayton. McGee and Kalan were connected by a mutual friend, Steve Scott, and joined forces to help refurbish the 143-year-old landmark. They formed the Stamford Harbor Lighthouse Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, after purchasing the structure and surrounding grounds from Alex Spektor in 2023 for $500,000.
“It’s a time capsule,’’ McGee says. “Since the late 1980s, it has not been occupied or updated. It was boarded up. The Stamford Lighthouse has done remarkably well on its own for 143 years, but now it needs the full support of the community to see it through the next 100 years.”
Stamford Lighthouse’s history is interesting. There have been mishaps, drownings and even the birth of a baby. It’s termed
KALAN,
this photo:
Reaching a height of 60 feet, the lighthouse features expansive views of Long Island Sound.
a “sparkplug” lighthouse for its unique shape, which were commonly built in New England and Mid-Atlantic states in the 1800s. Only 33 remain in the entire nation. They are prefabricated buildings—Stamford Lighthouse was built in Boston—and brought to the site by barge and put in place by floating cranes.
Keepers lived in the lighthouse for decades. It was decommissioned by the federal government in 1953, and it changed ownership many times. Thomas Quigley, a former mayor of Stamford, bought the structure for $1 in 1955. Eryk Spektor, Chairman of the Board of the First Women’s Bank in New York, purchased the lighthouse in 1984 for $230,000. “It’ll be a cheap place to park my boat,’’ Spektor said at the time.
His son inherited the lighthouse in 1998, but Alex rarely spent time there and moved to Florida. Meanwhile, the structure, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, stood vacant until Spektor sold it to Kalan and McGee.
“We were happy with what we found on the inside,’’ Kalan says. “It’s in very good condition. The basement is perfectly dry, and the brickwork was sandblasted in the 1980s. There was a lot of garbage that needed to be cleaned out, but the interior is in great shape.”
Spektor looked to make the lighthouse a second home. Kalan and McGee brought in beds, desks, furniture, a water heater and a furnace. The ambitious restoration project includes several important touchpoints. The first phase is to secure the landing, repair access points and install a temporary landing for safe access.
Several improvements have been made. Volunteers cleaned the interior and removed old
furniture. The lantern was restored with a new solar panel, battery, wiring and lamp, which resulted in a brighter light. Workers rebuilt the exterior staircase and fortified the caisson with new steel tie rods to prevent further damage.
“We are also working with Coastline Consulting to complete
surveys and permits, while we submit an application to allow us to repair the breakwater,’’ Kalan says.
After extensive structural work is completed, Kalan and McGee want to work on improving the water quality of 10 acres of submerged land with the establishment of oyster beds. The group plans to work with SoundWaters for aqua farming, water monitoring and research and education programs.
Kalan says the primary objective is to preserve an important piece of Stamford history. “This is something we can do to benefit the community that has given so much to us,’’ Kalan says. “It’s a beautiful historic building and it would be a shame to see it fall apart. The first thing people see coming from Long Island Sound is this lighthouse that is rusty and deteriorated. We want them to see something beautiful and have it become a source of pride for the city.”
To support and learn more about the Stamford Harbor Lighthouse Project, visit stamfordlighthouse. org
above: An interior staircase winds through the seven-level structure.
above: The Stamford Lighthouse Project aims to renovate and preserve the local icon.
Staying R esilient
With a 19-mile coastline along Long Island Sound, Stamford is particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change. A Coastal Resilience Plan is an important part of protecting the city from the ravages of storm surges. The Coastal Resilience Plan is being developed as a roadmap that will identify and propose actionable strategies to address coastal flood risks in Stamford. The project area includes The Cove, East Side, Shippan, South End, Waterside and portions of downtown and the West Side.
The goal is to identify and prioritize potential short-term and long-term adaptation strategies and resiliency projects to help Stamford manage its vulnerable infrastructure, facilities and natural resources in the face of increasing flood risks, according to Erin McKenna, Associate Planner for the city.
“The project scope also includes cost-benefit analyses for these projects, as grant applications often require them,” McKenna says. “The project should leave us exceptionally eligible for FEMA and other funding for final design and implementation.”
The plan was generated by Rick Talamelli, the former Executive Director of the Stamford
Environmental Protection Agency Board. He managed Stamford’s FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) program and understood the need to be proactive to address increased flooding and take advantage of available FEMA and other grant funding. Stamford started working on the plan in 2019, and it is funded with a $150,000 Flood Mitigation Assistance grant from FEMA and $55,000 in capital funding.
In 2012, Superstorm Sandy demonstrated why Stamford needs a plan. The storm left 630,000—nearly 66 percent of the city—without power. Thirty-six roads were blocked by trees and debris. Nearly 1,100 buildings were impacted, and the storm caused close to $7 million in damage.
Subsequent storms have amplified the cause for alarm.
“Sea level rise increases flood intensity, but there are other dynamics that accompany global climate change,” McKenna says. “For instance, the delivery of rain is different—it can come down harder and faster, which creates challenges to stormwater infrastructure that was built to withstand lower volumes over time.”
McKenna said the city is currently working on three plans. The Coastal Flood Resilience
plan covers a large territory that stretches from The Cove to Downtown, the West Side and Dolphin Cove. The Cummings Pond Area Flood and Resilience Plan, funded by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, concentrates on Cummings Park, West Beach, Boccuzzi Park, Kosciuszko Park and Czescik Park. A third study, the Toilsome Brook Flood Resilience Plan, is a concentrated study of inland funding.
“Mayor Caroline Simmons and her administration are particularly keen on addressing coastal and riverine flooding—and it absolutely requires a top-down approach,’’ McKenna says. “Mayor Simmons has also been extremely effective in getting state and federal funding directed to Stamford. We need both the leadership and the required millions to execute on these plans.”
Stamford is already better positioned than many other coastal communities. It is one of only three cities in the Northeast that has a hurricane barrier system. “It is a manmade dyke with an actual gate that goes up as necessary before impending weather events. It activated during Superstorm Sandy, and it protects approximately 640 acres,” McKenna says.
McKenna explains that inaction is not an option for the city’s plan. “Everything takes time —planning, communicating the risk effectively to the public, and amassing the funding,” she says. “In our experience, projects that are ready for implementation are most attractive to grantors. A match is often required, so we will have to strategize to acquire sufficient capital funding for that.”
With the residential growth, the harbor has also attracted business development. Some are well-established, and others are moving to the area. Workpoint, a co-working space, includes more than 15,000 square feet and a television studio. Last year, Stamford Health opened a new walk-in medical facility. Connecticut Innovations, a venture capital arm for more than 200 growing businesses, is also a recent addition.
Like the harbor itself, one of the challenges the city must address is how to maximize the use of the area without crossing the overdevelopment line. “It is a delicate balance,’’ Kagan says. “The comprehensive plan will help shape what the long-term strategy looks like. And that includes contributions from community members. It’s important to get their input.”
Guarding against over-development is only one of the issues that lies ahead. Funding is always a pain point, and capital
projects, including a new boat ramp, the restoration and rebuilding of marinas and strengthening a hurricane wall, are on the table. “The Army Corps of Engineers is going to do maintenance on the hurricane barrier at some point,’’ Ortelli says. “That could cause significant closure to the East branch of the channel. We expect to be a part of the planning meetings so we can be a conduit to and from the water-dependent community when they resume.”
Natural Beauty
For centuries, Stamford Harbor has been the gateway to the city from Long Island Sound. City leaders and many residents have demonstrated tremendous stewardship in maintaining its vibrancy, but it is an ongoing battle. It is a treasure that needs careful monitoring and upkeep.
Hollander, who has sailed more than 40,000 nautical miles throughout his life in places all
Stamford Harbor is very clean, well-maintained, serviced and safe. It’s inviting and very inclusive. You can’t say that about every harbor. I think at times, we all take it for granted, but it truly is a special place.
RUSS HOLLANDER, Member of the Harbor Management Committee and an avid sailor
around the world, is one who truly appreciates the specialness of Stamford Harbor. A long-time jeweler in the city, he hopes residents will continue to treat the harbor like one of his rare gems.
“Stamford Harbor is one of the preeminent harbors on the Atlantic basin,’’ Hollander says. “We’re blessed to be where we are on the planet. Our access from the sea is very graceful, and very few harbors have that. We have five beaches to choose from, great population density and educated, wellmeaning people. Stamford Harbor is very clean, well-maintained, serviced and safe. It’s inviting and very inclusive. You can’t say that about every harbor. I think at times, we all take it for granted, but it truly is a special place.”
Keeping it that way is the task of a quickly growing city and ensuring that all residents respect a true city treasure.
this photo: Both beautiful and functional, Stamford Harbor is the gateway to Long Island Sound.
HOMES WITH HOPE – GATHER ‘ROUND THE TABLE 2025
THANK YOU, DESIGNERS, FOR AN INCREDIBLE EVENT YOUR CREATIVITY & GENEROSITY MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!
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GARDEN VARIETY
As the weather warms up and we enjoy a slower pace, it’s a little easier to find inspiration in nature and explore our lush surroundings. These beautiful images are from the gardens of 100-year-old North Stamford resident, Erna Szekeres, a former president of Shippan Point Garden Club. Her backyard is a sanctuary, filled with places to relax, read and take in the scenery. Throughout the local parks and greenspaces, there are plenty of outdoor retreats to sit back and enjoy the summer landscape.
Send us your Stamford snaps to editor@stamfordmag.com for a chance to win $100. Please write photo submission in the subject line.
photographs by garvin burke
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