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contents vol. 17 | no. 6

NOV/DEC 2026

features

44 56

departments 12 FOUNDER’S LETTER by donna moffly 15 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ A yoga studio founder reflects on how the discipline helped her navigate cancer—and why she’s passionate about helping others find their own path forward.

LIGHTING THE WAY

SHOP From stylish accessories to treasures for the home, discover the best holiday gifts from local shops for everyone on your list.

Our annual Light a Fire honorees are local changemakers whose generosity, leadership and commitment to giving back are making a meaningful difference in their communities. by jill johnson mann

GO This is the year to make an escape to Winvian in Litchfield County.

DO The Avon Theatre closes for renovations, but its touring events keep audiences connected. Plus, Dr. Bina Park’s do’s and don’ts for pediatric orthodontic care.

RAISING THE BAR Meet the winners of Stamford’s annual Best Bartender competition, who reveal what transforms a good night out into an exceptional food and drink experience.

EAT Barnoodle is an Asian oasis that’s open all day, whenever you want to stop in for a satisfying bite.

by elizabeth hole

48 VOICES OF STAMFORD

QUIET DECISIONS Wealth planning is about more than the numbers. For Gold Coast families, it’s about protecting what they’ve built and preparing for what comes next.

51 PEOPLE & PLACES 84 POSTSCRIPT

by jonathan moffly

83 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

STAMFORD MAGAZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026, VOL. 17, NO. 6 // STAMFORD MAGAZINE (ISSN 2153-2680) is published bimonthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to STAMFORD MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607.

COVER: ©GRAFVISION STOCK.ADOBE.COM, LIGHT A FIRE: KATHARINE CALDERWOOD, FOOD: VENERA ALEXANDROVA, NECKLACE: NAGI JEWELERS

on the cover: ’tis the season to raise a glass! meet the winners of stamford magazine’s best bartender competition and find inspiration for celebrating the holidays in style.

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STAMFORDMAG.com CELEBRATING THE BEST OF WHERE WE LIVE

nov/dec 2026

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WORLD’S #1 IN ORTHOPEDICS, HERE IN WESTPORT. HSS has joined forces with Stamford Health to deliver the world’s #1 ranked orthopedic care in Westport. With top specialists in spine and joint care, sports medicine, and more, experience orthopedic excellence like nowhere else. Plus, HSS Orthopedics Now gives you faster access for injuries and pain. Make an appointment today or learn more at HSS.edu/Westport

STAMFORD | WESTPORT | WILTON | HAMDEN Most major insurance plans accepted.

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S TA R B U R S T O N I N D E N AVA R R E T T E

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vol. 17 | no. 6 | november/december 2026 editorial

sales publisher

editorial director Cristin Marandino

Jonathan W. Moffly jonathan@moffly.com

contributing editors Megan Gagnon–editor, athome Elizabeth Hole–editor, custom publishing Eileen Murphy–editor, new canaan • darien • rowayton Samantha Yanks—editor, westport • weston • wilton

sales & marketing Gina Fusco publisher, new canaan•darien•rowayton gina.fusco@moffly.com

copy editors

Gabriella Mays publisher, westport•weston•wilton gabriella.mays@moffly.com

Dave Johnstone, David Podgurski

contributing writers

Hilary Hotchkiss account executive

Liz Barron, Elizabeth Hole,Stefanie Horn, Kim Kavin, Carol Leonetti Dannhauser, Joey Macari Scott Thomas, Georgette Yacoub

Morgan Howell account executive morgan.howell@moffly.com

art senior art director Amber Scinto

Liz Norfleet account executive liz.norfleet@moffly.com

production director Tim Carr assistant art director Lisa Servidio

senior photographer Bob Capazzo

Kathleen Godbold Dyke associate publisher, Greenwich kathleen.godbold@moffly.com

digital digital marketing manager Rachel MacDonald digital assistant Lloyd Gabi digital assistant Jeffery Garay

F f s b a

Brynn T. John partnership, big picture & operations manager brynn.john@moffly.com Lemuel Bandala sales assistant lemuel.bandala@moffly.com

business president Jonathan W. Moffly business manager Elena V. Moffly cofounders John W. Moffly IV and Donna C. Moffly

Eillenn Bandala business assistant eillenn.bandala@moffly.com

A m o T

Calendar@Moffly.com Editor@StamfordMag.com Weddings@StamfordMag.com

T s g t

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published by

T A

205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880 phone: 203-222-0600 fax: 203-222-0937 mail@mofflymedia.com Publishers of GREENWICH, NEW CANAAN - DARIEN, WESTPORT, STAMFORD and athome Magazines advertising inquiries Lemuel Bandala email advertise@mofflymedia.com. TO SUBSCRIBE, renew, or change your address, please email us at subscribe@stamfordmag.com, call 203-222-0600, or write to STAMFORD magazine, 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. U.S. subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign, U.S. $40/1 year; $69/2 years. Prices are subject to change without notice. FOR REPRINTS or E-PRINTS, please call 203-222-0600 or email reprints@moffly.com.

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The team they built. The legacy they continue. Some milestones are measured in years. Others are measured in relationships. For thirty years, Tom Mantione and Andrew Shantz have had the privilege of serving families through life’s defining moments. Along the way, they learned that lasting success is built on trust, perspective, and relationships. What began with a simple belief, that meaningful advice starts with meaningful relationships, has grown into a community of clients, families, and friendships that spans generations. As they reflect on this milestone, they are most grateful for the people who made it meaningful. The trust placed in them. The conversations shared over decades. The opportunity to guide families through moments of change, opportunity, and growth. Those relationships have shaped everything they have built. Today, this anniversary celebrates more than a partnership. It celebrates the team surrounding families today, carrying forward the same commitment to thoughtful guidance and multigenerational continuity. Built over three decades, that team reflects the values, experience, and care that have defined the practice from the beginning. Their mission remains as relevant today as it was thirty years ago: Improving lives through enduring relationships. It is a promise that continues to guide the team, the families they serve, and the generations that follow. Thirty years. Three generations. One legacy. And the next chapter is just beginning.

Thomas Mantione, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA® Private Wealth Advisor Managing Director–Wealth Management thomas.mantione@ubs.com Andrew Shantz, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CEPA® Private Wealth Advisor Managing Director–Wealth Management andrew.shantz@ubs.com The Shantz Mantione Group UBS Financial Services Inc. Private Wealth Management 600 Washington Boulevard, Ninth Floor Stamford, CT 06901 601 21st Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 203-705-4222 866-860-7266

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This is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that you understand the ways in which we conduct business, and that you carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to you about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the client relationship summary provided at ubs.com/relationshipsummary, or ask your UBS Financial Advisor for a copy. For designation disclosures, visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, Certified finanCial Planner®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the US. CIMA® is a registered certification mark of Investment Management Consultants Association Inc. doing business as Investments & Wealth Institute® in the United States of America and worldwide. Private Wealth Management is a segment within UBS Financial Services Inc., which is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. © UBS 2026. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. RO-5978963-1001

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founder’s page

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 / DONNA MOFFLY

OF FOOD AND LESSONS LEARNED

Suddenly he announced: “Hey, Mommy, I’ve got a candy up my nose!”

Hungarian Goulash — Jack and I were hosting a buffet dinner one summer. As the hostess, I served myself last and carried my plate out onto the terrace, where I saw one empty chair. Some thoughtful person had left me a seat? Wrong. I sat down on a plate of goulash. Sandy Sulger was saving it for himself while he went to the head. I jumped up, noodles hanging off the back of my hostess skirt and, gathering it up behind me, rushed upstairs to change. Meanwhile Sandy said to Jack, “Oh, well, I’ll just put some more sauce on top!” Lesson learned: Watch where you sit down. Baked Alaska — As teenagers, my brother and I had a night on our own in Berlin in 1954. Our parents’ friends were in the military and had to take the train across East Germany to Frankfurt, so the Russians could keep an eye on them. But Mike and I would fly to meet them there the next day. Promising not to leave the hotel, we went down to the dining room and ordered what would become our famous All White Dinner—gin and tonics, marinated herring with sour cream, onions and apples, and a Baked Alaska the size of a loaf of bread, which we split right down the middle. Nothing ever tasted as good. Lesson learned: Do things your own way. Brussels Sprouts — My brothers and I were taught to eat everything we put on our plates, so I helped myself to a huge mound of those cute little green balls and my father made me eat every single one. I threw up. But after marrying Jack, I decided I was a big girl now and started serving him Brussels sprouts. Little did I know that 50 years later he’d ask me: “Why are you always serving me Brussels Sprouts? I hate Brussels sprouts!” Lesson learned: It’s never too late to learn. Amen to that. S

L W VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

he holidays are upon us, making me contemplate what I’ve learned from food. You heard me right—from food, not about food. For instance: Lemon Chiffon Pie — At age three, I was seated at the dinner table beside my grandfather who was visiting from New York. “Oh, my,” said Papa Rudy. “This pie is so good I’d like to take a piece home in my pocket to Gammy.” So, I quietly obliged him, which he didn’t discover until his train pulled into Grand Central the next morning. He had to go home to Bronxville to change his clothes, making him late for an important business meeting. Lesson learned: Don’t take people literally. Blueberries — At Camp Wabasso in New Hampshire you could pick wild blueberries, take them to the kitchen, and the cook would whip up a pie for your table that night. Lesson learned: How to get popular fast. Lobster — Jane and Tom Yates always treated their guests to a lobster picnic on the rocky beach in Owl’s Head, Maine. The lobsters were cooked in a huge pot on a pile of logs while we sipped our beer and awaited the time we could crack them open with stones and dig in with our fingers. No utensils allowed. Lesson learned: How to rough it in style. Button Candy — One Christmas Eve morning I was sitting at the kitchen table making a pine cone wreath across from little Jonathan, who was quietly picking the button candy off the paper. Suddenly he announced: “Hey, Mommy, I’ve got a candy up my nose!” He had taken his little pinkie and wiggled it up there. I called the pediatrician. “Can’t we just let it melt?” “Yes,” said Bob Wheeler, “but by that time, he’d have a roaring sinus infection.” It ended with the good doctor pushing an intrument up the kid’s nostril so the candy went deep enough to swallow. Lesson learned: Keep a closer eye on small fry. stamfordmag.com

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THE WAYFINDER

POWER YOGA HELPED AIMEE ELSNER GET THROUGH HER RECOVERY FROM CANCER. TODAY, SHE HELPS COUNTLESS OTHER PEOPLE FIND THEIR NEXT PATH IN LIFE

STOCK.ADOBE.COM © FIZKES

by k i m k avi n

or about 20 years, Aimee Elsner told herself she was not a businesswoman. She was an occupational therapist who worked with children as an independent contractor. She liked her life and solo work just fine, as well as being a wife and a mother to two small children. But a little more than a decade ago, her attitude about business changed. She got cancer at age 38. Her treatment at Stamford Hospital’s Bennett Cancer Center included chemotherapy, radiation and a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.

“We had just moved to Stamford from New York City,” she says. “I started doing a little bit of yoga. My best friend had done this training, and then my husband and I went on this retreat that turned out to be yoga training, and it was so transformative. Yes, we were doing yoga, but we were with these amazing, likeminded people who wanted to do stuff for other people.” What she learned to do was power yoga, which she describes as a personal-development form of yoga that helps people understand what they want. “It lets you dive into who you

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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Above: Aimee Elsner says power yoga can help you understand what you really want in your life.

are and why you do the things you do,” she says. “You’re doing things that are hard, and in those moments, it gives you clarity. You’re using your breath to calm your central nervous system. It gets you out of fight or flight. You’re moving, you’re breathing, and you’re listening to inspirational things.” Power yoga, she says, taught her who she was and what she wanted, which was to be healthy and connect with her family—and to add a new kind of work beyond her continuing occupational therapy services. “When I came back from these practices,” she says, “I realized I was a businesswoman.” Power Yoga Collective Stamford (formerly known as Connecticut Power Yoga) is now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, with a second Power Yoga Collective location that opened in November 2025 in Pound Ridge, New York. The location in Stamford is still in its original building on Summer

In order to make change in your life, you have to be willing to be uncomfortable.” And people who try power yoga really do change their lives, she says. What she’s seen is that when people are given a space where they can feel comfortable figuring out who they really are, they tend to have revelations that help them make larger life decisions. “It’s not therapy, but in my training in particular, I like to have people understand what they’re doing, what they want and what they need,” she says. “Do you really want to be in a job that you hate? Are you in a relationship that isn’t serving you? It’s really looking at it and giving people access to being fine with change. We need to move and we need to change. I think for our particular studio, it’s built on giving people space to feel and breathe and be OK.” Men and women from age 16 to 72 attend the classes, she says. Some will leave for years and

Street, which Elsner originally chose because it was less expensive than other places she looked at. She and her husband took what she describes as “a little bit of a loan from a lot of people” and built out the space into a studio. “I’d been teaching yoga at Mill River Park for a lot of years, and I started telling people about the new space, and they came,” she says. “It was remarkable. The people just started showing up.” Her company now has a staff of 18 people across the two studios. She intentionally hires instructors with different personalities, she says, because it makes it easier for clients to find someone they can connect with. “I’ve always felt really strongly that our yoga teachers aren’t for every single person,” Elsner says. “That’s why we have so many teachers. Somebody may not like my style of teaching, but they like another type of instruction. It really is for everybody. You just have to have an open mind.

then return when another big life decision comes their way. “There’s only so many times that you can blame your parents or your friends for things that go wrong in your life,” she says. “You’re the common denominator. If you keep falling down, look in the mirror. This is about giving people grace to be messy and see that there’s a choice to stay or to change.” Her biggest successes, she says, are every time she gets an email or a text from someone about how impactful the yoga has been in their lives. “I’ve met people who were having trouble getting pregnant, then get pregnant. I’ve seen people who hated their job get a new job. I’ve met people at the lowest of the low, and then watched them share how much the community impacted them,” she says. “When I see other people’s successes, it’s the thing that brings the most joy.” She has found joy in her own life, too. Her kids have been a part of the studio’s activities from Day 1, when her son sat behind the reception desk and checked in the clients. Her goals of being a businesswoman and being present for her family continue to be achieved. “While going through cancer, I learned that there are no guarantees. I remember being on the phone with my best friends saying, ‘If anything happens to me, please tell my children,’” she says. “I survived cancer because I had a vision that I needed to be there for my children, but really it was all of the people in the community that got me through it. I went right from cancer to opening this studio, and it has become the thing that brings me the most joy.”

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A DECADE OF CARE PATRICIA CHADWICK BUILT ANCHOR HEALTH FROM A SMALL CLINIC INTO A STATEWIDE RESOURCE FOR LGBTQ PATIENTS , AND NEVER LOST SIGHT OF WHY IT BEGAN

atricia Chadwick can still remember reading the obituaries in The New York Times, starting in the early 1980s. “They were just agonizing,” she recalls. “One would say ‘29 years old, died of pneumonia,’ and you knew exactly what that meant.” Today, HIV is a much more manageable disease, but living through the AIDS epidemic had a profound impact on her.

She’d been involved in the opera, theater and music communities her whole life, and she watched a lot of LGBTQ people struggle with discrimination and doctors who didn’t understand their needs. “There were not ample or appropriate places for them to be treated,” she says. “Just regular health care.” She later found herself on the board of an organization that provided health care for the LGBTQ community, and she realized

more could be done. In 2016, she asked a lawyer friend to help her set up a Delaware corporation with offices in Stamford. To get Anchor Health up and running, she used money she’d earned writing the books Little Sister: A Memoir and Breaking Glass: Tales from the Witch of Wall Street. “Our first patient visit was actually in New Haven, where New Haven Public Health gave us a tiny closet to work in,” she recalls. “We

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by k i m k avi n

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COUPLE: STOCK.ADOBE.COM © OLEZZO

Left: As Anchor Health celebrates 10 years, Chadwick says she is most proud that the organization has survived.

took about 5,000 square feet in Stamford, and we had administrative and patient care offices, and we basically provided and continue to provide all kinds of care.” Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Anchor Health just expanded its Stamford services with a larger pharmacy and additional patient-care offices. By spring 2027, the company also expects to open a 17,800-squarefoot facility in New Haven that’s being built now, with a goal of helping even more people from across the state and beyond. “With our 5,000 patients, we are the largest in Connecticut, but we have patients coming to us from New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts,” says Chadwick, who, at 78, serves as pro bono CEO. “We have a program where a lot of our providers are becoming licensed now in other states so we can service patients. Connecticut is, very fortunately, a supportive state for the LGBTQ community, so our future plan is to expand. We’re not a large organization, but we’re not a tiny one anymore either.” The future she now envisions was not nearly as clear during Anchor Health’s earliest days.

“Surviving is the thing I’m proudest of,” she says, noting that from the start, patients were never limited to short visits. “We are so intent and so driven, and have our focus on making sure that patients get the health care they need,” says Chadwick. “I think a very important part of our program is that there’s no such thing as a 15-minute visit. For that reason, it took us a long, long time to break even.” She was equally intent, she says, on never asking a bank for a loan. Instead, she loaned the company the money it needed until it became financially solid on its own, a process that took longer than a lot of startup businesses end up lasting. “I was fearful that if we broke the loan covenants, the bank would simply shut us down, so we never took any loans from the bank,” she says. “It was essential, I felt, that we have the wherewithal to take as much time as we needed to get ourselves profitable. In year nine, we became profitable.” The vast majority of Anchor Health’s providers, she says, are members of the LGBTQ community. It’s an important

distinction for patients who may not feel they can get the same kind of care from other types of providers. And while Anchor Health is now expanding well beyond Stamford’s borders, she says, the city remains an integral component in helping to make the organization so successful. “We are known in Stamford, and the mayor of Stamford, Caroline Simmons, is very supportive of what we do,” Chadwick says. “It’s really great to see that in Connecticut, and in Stamford in particular, there is real respect for the work that we’re doing, and an understanding of the need to take care of the patients.” There are still plenty of places across the country, she says, that are far less accommodating to the LGBTQ community. Her hope is that in the years to come, Anchor Health may be able to provide services for more of them, too. “We have a group of employees with one mission: to improve the lives of our patients,” she says. “We’re lucky, and our patients are lucky, that we live in a place that cares about the wellbeing of the community.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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THE NEXT CHAPTER KAMA BRUCE, THE NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL AT MEAD, WANTS TO GUIDE STUDENTS TOWARD A CONFIDENT FUTURE by l i n da t u c c io- ko on z

ama Bruce clearly has found his calling as the new head of school at The Mead School in Stamford. You can hear the smile in his voice as he shares why he moved across the country from Portland, Oregon, to be here.

“It’s a chance to be part of a community that’s centered around students as they’re learning about the gifts and the superpowers they have to share with the world, as they come to inherit it,” he says. Bruce arrived with 26 years’ experience in his backpack, plus a passion for education. He and his wife, Elva, an early education teacher, have a son, Kofi, 13, and a daughter, Nayeli, 12. Huge skylights bathe the school’s entryway in sunshine as Bruce greets a visitor for a tour. Students’ colorful artwork pops from the walls. Hand-painted tiles share messages like “If you take yourself out of the game there is no way you can win.” “When you walk into this school you notice right away that the kids really feel ownership of the space,” Bruce says. “If it’s curated for the child’s gaze, you know children have been uniquely and deeply involved.” The Mead School for Human Development was founded in Greenwich as a progressive and independent day school in 1969. It’s grown and moved four times, but its focus remains steadfast. “Original Minds Welcome” says the purple sign at the entrance to the wooded 13-acre campus on Riverbank Road. Mead’s Early Learning

Center serves infants through preschoolers and the Elementary and Middle Schools serve prekindergarteners through eighth graders, with before- and afterschool programming for students age 5 and up. The school serves 149 full-time students who come from Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and surrounding areas. “With 49 faculty and staff the ratio is 3.5 to 1 or better,” Bruce says. Bruce, who was previously assistant head of school at Catlin Gabel (also progressive and private) in Oregon, says few schools are like Mead. “You have that combination of 14 different developmental stages rolled into one school community that’s tight-knit with small class sizes.” Bruce, who earned his Ph.D. at the University of Texas, says Mead celebrates “the whole child.” That means academics, time outdoors, mindfulness and more, but with expressive arts at the core. This speaks to why the late Jim and Jane Henson (creators of The Muppets) were enthusiastic participants in the school’s founding. The former Greenwich residents (they lived there from 1964 through 1971) believed art should be central to education and sent all five of their children to Mead. “If you think about all the

Kama Bruce (with his wife, Elva) encourages students to engage in discourse.

creative energy they brought into this world, naturally they’d be drawn to a school like this,” Bruce says. Dr. Elaine de Beauport, a pioneer in progressive education, co-founded Mead, according to meadschool.org. Her research showed children “would thrive in a learning environment that tapped into their individual curiosities and passions.” One way Mead creates this is through “community share” productions. “They’re entirely studentproduced and developed,” Bruce says of the performances staged each Friday. “Students evaluate different acts, run the lighting and theater tech. The kids here own it. Mead is focused on making sure children feel empowered, confident and competent,” he says. “It’s amazing what happens when these kids leave this school.” Jenny Lake, chairman of

the board at Mead, and board member Patti DeFelice, say Bruce is a visionary educator who really understands progressive education. “We feed children’s curiosity. We grow their imaginations,” Lake says. “We encourage them to explore the world, ask the hard questions and answer them. And they learn how to advocate for themselves.” Bruce says equipping children to engage in discourse is critical, along with social-emotional learning. “Part of what draws me to this work is that both my parents were social workers,” adds Bruce, who has lived in Africa and Europe. He says such experiences have helped him navigate new opportunities. People can do hard things like start up a school, he says, referring to Mead. “Here it is, more than 50 years later, still rockin’ and rollin’. ”

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WHATEVER YOUR MOOD, YOUR TABLE IS WAITING

WINVIAN.COM

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.

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CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING

STAMFORD

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

(203) 961-8000

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Macari (at right) will find new ways to tell the story of Stamford’s history, including Little League wins.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE STAMFORD NATIVE MICHAEL MACARI BRINGS A STORYTELLER’S EYE TO HIS ROLE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE STAMFORD HISTORY CENTER

by l i z ba rron

t’s not easy to capture the 400-year history of a community in a way that appeals to residents of all ages. Yet that’s what the Stamford History Center (SHC) has been trying to do since it was founded a century ago. So, when SHC was looking for a new executive director, hiring a city native with a professional background in business, writing and producing was a no-brainer. Michael Macari, who was appointed in July, formerly served as president and senior writer for MMC Communications, and worked at media company Eaglevision, where he spent more than two decades creating documentaries and other programming. “I want to engage the public with a new approach to telling the city’s story,” he says. “I want to share the city’s history in a creative and meaningful way using my experience with digital media and visual storytelling. And as a Stamford native, my mission is intensely personal. I am excited to take history off the

shelves and place it where residents live and gather as a community.” Macari is proud of the city’s rich historical background and wants to share it with the many new citizens who don’t know that much about the community where they are living and working. “Residents are going to our parks, dining downtown and attending events, but our goal is to excite people just a little more and make Stamford’s history come alive for them,” he says. To do so, SHC will be shifting away from legacy exhibits in favor of more dynamic, multimedia experiences. Future exhibits and online media will integrate audio-visual elements designed to engage a more diverse audience, and they’ll be tailored for everyone from curious elementary school students to lifelong senior residents. Fortunately, Stamford’s storied past has no shortage of moments worth sharing, from its place in the Colonial period to pioneer settlements and various celebrations of Little League World Championship wins. Education remains a crucial mission as the organization connects with more than 3,000 students each year across 26 public and private schools and collegiate institutions. Programs range from hands-on classroom models to immersive

visits at places like the historic HoytBarnum House at 1508 High Ridge Road. There, visitors learn about Stamford’s oldest remaining dwelling and founding family. When it comes to preserving the Stamford’s past, Macari believes it’s important to “make history part of the fabric of the community,” he says. Macari and his team have several initiatives in the works, including a new exhibit devoted to 9/11, a day that impacted the lives of many Stamford residents. To make sure “memories aren’t lost,” he says, SHC is encouraging residents to share their personal experiences. The goal is to publicly document the ways in which residents experienced that day, including what they were doing when the news broke and how their lives changed. Written accounts (250 to 500 words) can be submitted to exec@stamfordhistory.org. Hardcopy stories, photographs and other physical items can be sent to SHC’s office at 1508 High Ridge Road. The purpose of this exhibit is to share, archive and memorialize personal accounts in a permanent way. In the future, Macari hopes to develop more large-scale and interactive exhibits, to boost membership and appreciation for the Stamford History Center.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRAND

BY HANNAH DEELY

Gifts in every shade worth giving!

L’OBJET Prism condiment bowls; $250 for set of four. Norwalk; bloomingdales.com greenwichmag.com stamfordmag.com

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRANDS

Rich, regal, and ready to give

1. JIMMY CHOO Lurex polka dot tulle heels; $1,595 $1,595. jimmychoo.com // 2. L’OBJET Prism wine glasses; $230 for set of four. Norwalk; bloomingdales.com // 3. TWP Traveling cashmere turtleneck sweater; $1,495. Westport; shop.mitchellstores.com // 4. VELOTRIC Breeze 1 cruiser ebike; $1,799. velotricbike.com // 5. FENDI Sequin baguette bag; $5,900. fendi.com // 6. OOMPH Cordless murano glass light; $545. Greenwich; oomphhome.com // 7. MARCO BICEGO Amethyst, pink tourmaline and garnet gemstone bracelet; $3,200. Fairfield; hcreidjewelers.com // 8. FAMILLE BY VERDURA Cabochon amethyst, turquoise candy ring; $21,500. Greenwich; famillegreenwich.com // 9. BOSE QuietComfort headphones; $359. bose.com // 10. RUSS HOLLANDER MASTER GOLDSMITH Pear-shaped AAA Ceylon sapphire and diamond necklace; $34,700. Stamford; 203-363-2200 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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1. APPLE iPhone Duo; from $1,999. Greenwich; apple.com // 2. BOOK CLUB BAR Literary-inspired drink recipe book; $25. Old Greenwich; back40mercantile.com // 3. BETTERIDGE Lab-grown diamond emerald and pear-cut necklace; $7,000. Greenwich; betteridge.com // 4. SHARK CryoGlow Plus Anti-Aging LED Face Mask; $380. sharkninja.com // 5. NILI LOTAN Luce shearling short coat; $4,900. Greenwich; nililotan.com // 6. HERMÈS Kelly classique to go wallet; $7,200. Greenwich; hermes.com // 7. RAILS Oslo scarf; $148. Darien; dariensportshop.com // 8. MOLLY HATCH Stoneware mug; $18. Westport; anthropologie.com // 9. MIKIMOTO Pearl and blue sapphire drop earrings; $5,700. Westport; lbgreen.com // 10. BACCARAT 4 elements scented candle; $240. baccarat.com

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRANDS

Pale, deep and powder: The sky is the limit

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRANDS

Turn up the heat with gifts in the season’s most spirited shade

1. MORROW AND MAIN Not Your Husband’s Oxford; $178. morrowandmain.com // 2. MONOGRAM MARY Scalloped cocktail napkins; $58. Old Greenwich; monogrammary.com // 3. VERONICA BEARD Suede shoulder bag; $350. Greenwich; veronicabeard.com // 4. VINTAGE RENÉ BOIVIN PARIS Ruby, diamond and gold ring; $85,000. Greenwich; stevenfoxjewelry.com // 5. NATIVE UNION Pop phone handset for modern devices; $40. Old Greenwich; athenabooksog.com // 6. SHREVE CRUMP & LOW 2.67-carat ruby and diamond earrings; $45,000. Greenwich; shrevecrumpandlow.com // 7. PIECEWORK PUZZLES Bon voyage theme 1000-piece puzzle; $40. pieceworkpuzzles.com // 8. MAISON LECOMTE FLAMENT Lightweight cotton bandana scarf; $100. Westport; west2westport.com // 9. KERRI ROSENTHAL Cotton knit sweater; $298. Westport; kerrirosenthal.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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1. HOUSE OF NUNU Glass double trouble cups, set of 2; $80. Westport; evbantiques.com // 2. NAGI JEWELERS Peridot and blue topaz necklace by Lauren K.; $5,190. Stamford; nagijewelers.com // 3. HILL HOUSE HOME Satin oakley dress; $348. Greenwich; hillhousehome.com // 4. PETER SUCHY JEWELERS Tsavorite garnet diamond earrings; $3,295. Stamford; petersuchyjewelers.com // 5. CHANEL Goatskin and mixed fibers slingback; $1,225. chanel.com // 6. JL ROCKS 18K peridot and diamond wrap band; $850. Greenwich, Westport; jlrocks.com // 7. WÜSTHOF Classic color knife block, $1,260. Westport; williams-sonoma.com // 8. ADDISON ROSS Lacquer backgammon set; $325. Greenwich; Navy Lobster 203.625.8243 // 9. PENNY LINN Beginner bow needlepoint kit; $55. Rowayton; pennylinn.com

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRANDS

A little envy never hurt—especially when it comes gift-wrapped

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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BRANDS

For the minimalist on your list

1. BOTTEGA VENETA Ricordami Eau de Parfum; $300. Greenwich; saks.com // 2. LONGCHAMP Custom my pliage travel bag; $520. longchamp.com // 3. GUMUCHIAN 18K yellow gold and diamond bezel band; $16,060. Greenwich, New Canaan; manfredijewels.com // 4. STELLA McCARTNEY Fur-free fur-trimmed coat; $3,900. stellamccartney.com // 5. ASHA BY ASHLEY MCCORMICK Genevieve cuff; $225. Greenwich; ashabyadm.com // 6. CLEA Sutton knit set; $895. Darien; tnuck.com // 7. RH Prani round bowl; from $275. Greenwich; rh.com // 8. DE ‘LONGHI Rivelia fully automatic espresso machine; $1,300. Westport; crateandbarrel.com // 9. JENNI KAYNE Shearling ashby clog; $345. Westport; jennikayne.com // 10. HEY GRAY LADY Love you brass and 14K-gold-plated bracelet; $170. heygraylady.com

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by el iz ab eth keyser photog raphy by ven er a a le x a ndrova

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Winvian’s Artist's Cottage (left) makes a case for the creative retreat. An easel and art supplies (above) encourage guests to pick up a brush, while a cozy bed tucked between bookshelves (right) gives the cottage a distinctly private feel. It’s a setting that invites you to step away from the everyday, relax and let your imagination wander.

A Creative Escape at Winvian COURTESY OF WINVIAN/ JESSIE CASEY

AN ARTIST'S COTTAGE, INSPIRED CUISINE AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES make this Litchfield County retreat a feast for the senses

reativity needs room to breathe—away from the distractions of everyday life. Winvian, the Relais & Châteaux estate in Litchfield County, offers a soothing creative retreat in its charming Artist's Cottage, replete with luxurious amenities and art supplies. During a visit to the 113-acre property in Morris, just over an hour from Fairfield County, guests experience art and craftsmanship woven into every aspect of the stay—from the architecture and interior design to the hospitality, cuisine and spa. A recent getaway to Winvian left me suffused with a sense of well-being and inspired me to let my inner artist out. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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Winvian’s story is as inspiring as its setting: What began as the family estate and farm that Winthrop and Vivian Smith purchased in 1948 has evolved into the luxury resort it is today. Proprietor Maggie Smith brought a bold creative vision to the property, commissioning 15 architects to design 18 individually themed cottages, including the celebrated Tree House and Helicopter cottages. Nearly 20 years after opening, Winvian continues to embody the spirit of Smith and her daughter, managing director Heather Smith Winkelman: a deep sense of family tradition balanced by an openness to new ideas. ARTIST COTTAGE That balance is evident in the Artist Cottage, which received a design refresh in May. New paint and painterly wallpaper bring a fresh sensibility, while its bones remain the same. Inside, light pours through stained-glass windows and splashes across walls lined with millwork painted a restful blue-gray. The built-in bed, with its curved wood canopy, evokes a bygone era. With shelves and closets tucked on either side, the shipshape use of space made me feel as though I was aboard a boat. Despite its storybook charm, the bed is subtly luxurious—at the press of a button, a TV rises from the foot of the bed. New wallpaper depicting an impressionistic forest adds another layer of enchantment. In cool weather, the woodburning fireplace draws guests into the cozy living area, which has a pull-out queen-size bed, adding additional space to settle in. Winvian staff light the fire and prepare the beds, ensuring that guests’ only task is to relax. In warmer weather, the screened-in porch is an inviting spot for a morning coffee or an early evening drink. We brought some of the cottage’s many art supplies out to the porch, along with the easel and a palette of paints, and let the creativity flow. New wallpaper in the bathroom resembles a canvas covered in paint swabs, as if an artist were testing hues of violet, cerulean and rose. The gleaming white-tiled shower features a mosaic of two

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koi, along with a rain showerhead and steam option. The soaking tub is huge. DINING Breakfast was served on the restaurant’s second-floor, curved, windowed balcony overlooking the grounds. It can be as healthy or hearty as you wish: a yogurt-andgranola parfait with housemade jam and local honey, or the frittata of the day, with a side of crisp potatoes, bacon and Bantam Bread Bakehouse toast. First, the server placed a tempting platter of mini pain au chocolat and muffins, along with jam and Vermont butter, on the white tablecloth. The fruit bowl was exquisite: perfect cubes of pineapple and melon and halved grapes, bathed in fresh, floral, citrusy “orange blossom juice.” Maggie’s Tavern is the place for casual dining, with two distinct spaces: a dark, cozy bar with a fireplace and a large, window-lined room filled with sunlight during the day. In warmer weather, guests can dine outdoors on the stone terrace. At lunch, you can order a turkey panini or Maggie’s Burger, but the menu also includes dinner

what began as the family estate and farm that winthrop and vivian smith purchased in 1948 has evolved into the luxury resort it is today.

Clockwise from above: At Winvian, relaxation is built into the landscape. Inviting fireplaces, Adirondack chairs gathered around an outdoor firepit and water fountains create a series of spaces for enjoying the 113-acre property at an unhurried pace.

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entrees such as house-made pasta, fish of the day and chicken paillard. We were struck by the classic technique and beautiful treatment of the vegetables, which are grown on Winvian’s farm. The chef’s soup of the day was a particular highlight. The gazpacho, made with tomato, watermelon and basil, balanced acidity and sweetness like no other gazpacho we’ve ever tasted. The soup changes with the season, but the chef’s technique and quality ingredients are sure to remain a constant.

Clockwise from top left: It’s all in the details: bicycles ready for exploring, the dining nook in the Artist Cottage, the estate’s garden and seasonal fall florals. Together, they capture Winvian’s mix of comfort, craftsmanship and connection to the outdoors.

THE RESTAURANT If you’re staying at Winvian, dinner at the restaurant is a must. And even if you’re not staying over, it’s worth the trip. The experience is excellent in every way. Eating in this fine dining restaurant feels like being a guest in a lovely old Connecticut home in an intimate dining room decorated with family antiques. The European-style service is professional and unobstrusive, allowing the food to shine. Chef Chris Eddy has been at the helm of the kitchen for 20 years. He introduced a seed-totable philosophy, and much of the produce comes from the threeacre garden, tended by Hungry Reaper Farm. Chef Eddy can create the purest expression of a carrot in an amuse-bouche of carrot soup with horseradish cream and a frond of dill, or serve a single pristine radish with cultured herb butter. Three- and four-course prix-fixe dinners allow guests to try a variety of preparations, beginning with beef tartare or seared yellowfin, then savouring hand-rolled cavatelli or handmade gnocchi. For the third course, a pro tip: If there’s duck on the menu, order it. S

Artist in Residence Jennifer Sabella’s colorful, vibrant paintings hang throughout Winvian. She also teaches a popular art class there. Sabella, who grew up in Westport, is as hands-on or hands-off as each student needs—always encouraging and charming. Once your painting is dry, you can take it home as a memento of your stay; Sabella’s paintings are also available for purchase. Art classes are one of many on-site experiences, which include a full-service spa, private yoga, wine tastings and archery and cooking classes.

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do by l i n da t u c cio ko on z

THE SHOW GOES ON

es, the Avon Theatre is temporarily closed while undergoing a $19-million renovation—the most extensive in its 87-year history. But this storied venue is still doing what it does best, connecting with audiences and bringing people together. The magic happens through Avon On Tour, a vibrant, eclectic series of screenings and special events scheduled in and around Stamford. “One thing we felt very strongly about was that closing the building should not mean closing the Avon,” says Peter H. Gistelinck, executive director. “We wanted our programming, our relationships and our presence in the community to continue throughout construction.” Partner locations for on-tour events include the Ferguson Library, the Bruce Museum, the Darien Library, MoCA Westport, Stamford Town Center and Mill River Park. “We try to make these screenings and events as interesting as possible,” Gistelinck says. To date, Avon on Tour has featured everything from the CatVideoFest 2026 (purrfect fun for cat lovers) to the feature film Project Hail Mary with Ryan Gosling. Remembering the Family Store is another local favorite. This documentary about the history of Stamford businesses was followed by a Q&A with its executive producer. Gistelinck says having speakers in attendance—producers, actors and other figures—is important to create buzz and momentum. The response from locals around Fairfield County to these events has been “extremely encouraging,” he says. People say they’re missing the theater, but enjoying how the Avon experience now comes to them. November and December bring a new schedule of offerings. Ashley Vanderwaren, director of programming, says dates sometimes shift based on speakers’ availability so it’s imperative to check avontheatre.org for the most accurate information.

Barring any changes, some highlights include The Muppets Christmas Carol (November 7 at Stamford Town Center) and the zany Home Alone (December 18 at the Ferguson Library). The Cider House Rules will be screened on November 9 at Darien Library, followed by a talk about the John Irving novel. Exhibition on Screen, a documentary series exploring the history behind important works of art, delves into James McNeill Whistler on November 15 at The Bruce Museum. This is timely; a major and longawaited Whistler retrospective is currently on view at London’s Tate Britain. And Vincent van Gogh gets some love through the film Loving Vincent, (December 20, The Bruce). This story about his final days is uniquely depicted in oil-painted animation. Gistelinck says Avon on Tour “allows us to build new relationships throughout Stamford and Fairfield County that we expect to continue long after we reopen.” Work has been underway at the Bedford Street landmark (The Avon Theatre—Deborah & Chuck Royce Cinema Arts Center) since July. The space is projected to reopen in October 2027. “This is much more than a renovation. We are transforming the Avon from a traditional two-screen movie theater into a state-of-the-art cinema arts center with three screens, extraordinary projection and sound, expanded educational facilities, significantly improved accessibility, a beautiful new lobby and gathering spaces, and a café and wine bar,” Gistelinck says. “We see it as a celebration of The Avon, of Stamford

CONTRIBUTED

THE AVON THEATRE IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION, BUT ITS ON-TOUR EVENTS SCHEDULE CONTINUES TO BRING AUDIENCES TOGETHER

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above: Renderings of what the The Avon Theatre will look like post renovation show a state-of-the-art cinema and arts center with new lobby and gathering spaces.

SHOW TIMES

CONTRIBUTED

Some Avon on Tour events are planned for November, December and beyond, but it’s best to check the website to confirm.

and of the people who made this project possible.” Gistelinck, who spent most of his professional life leading cultural organizations in Europe and the United States, became executive director in 2023. A Stamford resident, he says the Avon is one of those increasingly rare places where the history of American moviegoing is still alive. “It opened in 1939 during the golden age of Hollywood, and generations of people in Stamford and Fairfield County have memories connected to this building,” he says. “People will tell about the first movie they saw here, a date they had at the Avon decades ago, or bringing their children and grandchildren here. There’s an emotional connection that you simply cannot manufacture.” He’s even had people share memories like, “Oh my god, I used to make out in the balcony!”

The theater’s second life began in 2004, when it reopened as a nonprofit film center, thanks to the support of Deborah and Chuck Royce. “Since then, the Avon has become much more than a place to see movies. We have presented independent and international cinema, documentaries, classics, conversations with filmmakers, actors and artists, educational programs and community events,” he says. Some events have honored guests such as actor Michael Douglas and the late music producer Clive Davis. Gistelinck says preserving the Avon isn’t simply about saving a building. It’s about creating a kind of cultural living room for Stamford, a destination. “Movies will remain at the heart of everything we do, but the experience will extend beyond what happens on the screen.”

NOV. 7 / STAMFORD TOWN CENTER: The Muppets Christmas Carol. The Muppets put their spin on the tale of an elder, Christmas-hating miser who is visited by spirits that foretell his future and share secrets from his past and present, all of which helps change his view on life. NOV. 9 / DARIEN LIBRARY: A books-to-film series features The Cider House Rules. Following the screening, there will be a conversation about the John Irving novel of the same name. During World War II, an orphan grows up under the tutelage of a doctor who runs an orphanage. He yearns for freedom and soon decides to leave in order to make a life for himself. NOV. 15 / THE BRUCE MUSEUM: Exhibition on Screen presents James McNeill Whistler. The screening event presents worldfamous masterpieces and rarely seen works. DEC. 2 / FERGUSON LIBRARY: The Holdovers. In 1970, a curmudgeonly history teacher at a New England boarding school remains on campus during Christmas break to supervise held over students, and ends up forming an unlikely bond with a

brainy troublemaker. DEC. 18 / FERGUSON LIBRARY: Home Alone. An 8-year-old mischief-maker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas Eve. DEC. 20 / THE BRUCE MUSEUM: Loving Vincent. In a story depicted in oil-painted animation, a young man comes to the last hometown of painter Vincent van Gogh to deliver the troubled artist's final letter and ends up investigating his final days there. JAN. 11 / DARIEN LIBRARY: The Great Gatsby. Writer and Wall Street trader Nick Carraway finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his mysterious millionaire neighbor, Jay Gatsby, amid the lavish and riotous parties of the Jazz Age. JAN. 24 / THE BRUCE MUSEUM: John Singer Sargent: Fashion and Swagger. This film explores the artist's mastery in portraying subjects' identities through clothing in 50 paintings and wardrobes, comparing the fine points of public identity portrayal then and now. The film also examines his influence on art, culture and fashion.

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hether you’re wondering if your child is ready for an orthodontic evaluation, your teenager is asking about options they saw on TikTok or you’re an adult considering treatment, orthodontics has certainly changed significantly since you were a kid. Dr. Bina Park, who has a practice in Greenwich and New York City, answers our questions about early treatment, social media, newer options, adult orthodontics and why the retainer you may have stopped wearing still matters.

is bonded behind the upper and lower incisors to straighten teeth without wearing traditional braces or Invisalign. At present, I am the only orthodontist providing this treatment in Connecticut and the results have been terrific. It’s a great option for my patients, particularly those with mild to moderate misalignment of the front teeth. I use the C5 technology selectively and it can be a wonderful tool, especially when we want to make a focused correction without putting a patient through more treatment than they actually need. It cannot address significant skeletal discrepancy, a complex bite problem, or substantial tooth movement. The amount of time it stays on depends on what we’re correcting and how the individual patient responds, but generally I find that in four to six months you will see a significant difference.

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS KNOW ABOUT HAVING THEIR CHILD EVALUATED? Schedule an evaluation, but remember that an evaluation doesn’t automatically mean treatment. Around age seven, I can take a helpful first look at how the permanent teeth are coming in and

dr. b i na pa rk , w h o has a pr act i ce i n g re e nwi ch a nd new york ci t y, a ns we rs our questions

ORTHODONTICS AT EVERY AGE FROM EARLY TREATMENT TO THE SMILE YOU KEEP FOR LIFE

how the upper and lower jaws are developing. Most children don’t need braces at that age, and sometimes the best plan is simply to monitor their growth. However, issues such as significant crowding, crossbites, teeth that are at risk of injury, or a tooth that may not be erupting properly are often easier to address when we catch them early. The goal isn’t to treat every 7-year-old—it’s to identify children who may genuinely benefit from early care.

WHAT DO PARENTS WHO HAD BRACES 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO OFTEN MISUNDERSTAND ABOUT ORTHODONTICS TODAY? There are a few misconceptions I hear all the time: One is, “My teeth were perfectly straight after braces, and then my wisdom teeth came in and pushed everything crooked again.” Wisdom teeth have historically taken a lot of the blame for late crowding, but we now understand that teeth can continue to shift throughout life for many reasons. That’s why long-term retention is so important. Parents also often expect their child’s orthodontic experience to be similar to what they remember from 20 or 30 years ago—heavy wires, more discomfort, very visible appliances, and treatment that felt like something you simply had to endure. Orthodontics today is much more individualized. We have more precise treatment

planning, lighter forces, smaller and more comfortable appliances, and much more discreet options.

WHAT SHOULD TEENS—AND THEIR PARENTS—KNOW ABOUT ORTHODONTIC INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA? Social media has created a tremendous amount of interest among teenagers in orthodontics, facial growth and even how their jaws develop. Teens are coming into the office more engaged, asking questions and taking a real interest in their own treatment. But there is also a lot of misinformation. We hear about trends like “mewing,” “looksmaxxing,” and techniques that supposedly create a stronger jawline or dramatically change facial structure. Social media can make it seem as though changing your tongue position, chewing a certain way or doing facial exercises can completely reshape your jaw. Interest is good; misinformation isn’t. I would much rather have a teenager come in and say, “I saw this on TikTok—is it true?” Then we can look at their face, their bite and their growth and have a real conversation about what is possible.

WHAT IS THE C5 WIRE, AND WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM IT? The C5 wire is the newest development in orthodontics. With this technique, a small wire

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL AN ADULT WHO HAS BEEN THINKING ABOUT ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT FOR YEARS? If you’ve been thinking about treatment, don’t keep putting it off. Teeth will keep changing (unless you wear a retainer). It is better to address a problem before it becomes more complicated. As we get older, we may develop more dental work, gum or bone changes, tooth wear, or other issues that can make orthodontic treatment more complex. Starting sooner can sometimes mean a simpler treatment plan, less treatment time and ultimately less expense.

HOW LONG SHOULD SOMEONE WEAR A RETAINER? A retainer is forever. I like to compare wearing a retainer to brushing your teeth. You wouldn’t brush your teeth once and expect them to stay healthy forever. A retainer is similar. It’s part of the ongoing tool to keeping your straight smile. Teeth are part of a living, changing body, and they naturally continue to shift throughout our lives, whether or not we’ve had orthodontic treatment. Initially, retainers are worn more consistently, but over time most patients can transition to sporadic wear.

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@breastcanceralliance @breastcanceralliance NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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do OUT & ABOUT STAMFOR D MAG AZIN E A N D STA M F ORD MOM S PA RT N ERSHI P A

MAKE IT MERRY

The holiday season has officially arrived, and November and December are packed with WAYS TO MAKE MAGIC AS A FAMILY. by stefanie horn

No. 2

SHOP LOCAL Begin your search for holiday gifts at a pop-up market: the Stamford JCC Holiday Gift Show, November 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Or visit the Stamford Moms Holiday Sip & Shop on December 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Third Place by Half Full Brewery. It features a kids’ room with soft play, crafts and a photo op with Santa. If you have a few more things on your gift list, visit the Stamford Museum & Nature Center's Holiday Artisan Market on December 2, from 4 to 8 p.m.

No. 3

FLYING HIGH The annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular steps off on Sunday, November 22. Keep your eyes on the sky as 15 giant balloons float by, with Elmo and Clifford among them. If you want a preview of the oversized inflatables, attend the Giant Balloon Inflation Party on November 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. The crowd gathers at the corner of Hoyt and Summer Streets.

No. 1

HE’S COMING TO TOWN Celebrate Santa’s arrival in Stamford on November 6 with the third annual Stamford Moms Santa Welcome Party at Stamford Town Center. Wear your favorite holidaythemed pajamas for the event that begins at 5 p.m. The schedule includes a magic show, dancing, crafts and cookies, followed by Santa’s grand entrance.

No. 5

No. 4

A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

ALL ABOARD THE HOLIDAY WISH EXPRESS

Chabad of Stamford has familyfriendly activities and events planned for Chanukah, including the popular Chanukah Festival in Latham Park on December 6 at 4 p.m. Then, on December 12 at 6 p.m. the Menorah Car Parade revs up. It features a gleaming line of automobiles decked out with menorahs that cruise through Stamford en route to Latham Park. There the lighting of a giant menorah lighting gets underway. Visit chabadstamford.org for more information.

The Holiday Wish Express is a favorite tradition for many Stamford residents. About 20,000 square feet of Stamford Town Center is transformed into pure holiday magic, with characters, lights and a trip to the North Pole that your children will be talking about for years to come. Visit theholidaywish.com to get your tickets.

GET COZY AND WATCH A MOVIE Bring your family to Stamford Town Center every Friday afternoon in December for the Stamford Moms Merry Movie Night. Start time is 4 p.m. The party kicks things off with a character appearance and crafts, followed by a holiday movie, popcorn and steaming cups of hot chocolate.

Follow Stefanie Horn—a Stamford-based mom of three children—on Instagram (@stamfordmoms) and check out her calendar of local events at stamfordmoms.com.

MENORAH: CHABAD OF STAMFORD

No. 6

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APR 20 - MAY 8 2027 MAY 19 - 22 2027 2026 PROGRAMMING & SEASON SPONSOR

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JULY 13 - 31 2027 Scan for a full list of events!

All dates, times, titles, and artists are subject to change.

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do by g e org et t e yac ou b

A SURVIVAL GUIDE:

TIPS

THE SANDWICH GENERATION

CARING FOR AGING PARENTS CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING. TWO LOCAL EXPERTS SHARE HOW TO

PLAN AHEAD AND MAKE THE JOURNEY A LITTLE EASIER.

left: Dr. Alison McElhone right: Hildy Sheinbaum, RN, CDP.

fall. A hospitalization. A phone call from a neighbor who noticed something. That is how most families arrive at Hildy Sheinbaum’s practice. “Typically, people are in crisis when they reach out to me,” says Sheinbaum, a registered nurse and certified dementia practitioner who runs H. Sheinbaum & Associates, a geriatric care consulting practice serving Fairfield and Westchester counties. In the space of a weekend, a family that had been quietly notdiscussing the situation has to find a plan— and a way to pay for it. Sheinbaum has spent more than 40 years as a nurse. She is also a daughter, currently caring for her 98-year-old mother. She knows both sides of the phone call. “If I could do one thing, it would be to educate people when they’re in their 50s and 60s to think about how they want to live their life when they age,” she says. Nearly a quarter of American adults are currently sandwiched between an aging parent and children of their own—and among adults in their 40s, it’s more than half, according to Pew Research Center data released this summer. Here is what two local experts want those families to know before the phone rings.

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RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS Dr. Alison McElhone is a geriatrician at Stamford Health Medical Group’s Geriatric Assessment Center in Wilton. Most of her patients arrive because of a cognitive change. But there are other reasons too: mood changes, sleep problems, falls, hospitalizations, too many medications. The first thing families want to know is whether what they’re seeing is normal. “I usually think of age-related cognitive changes as more of a slowing, not a forgetfulness,” Dr. McElhone says. The name of an actor that won’t surface right away. Walking into a room and forgetting what you came in for. “In true cognitive impairment and dementia, memory is not generally coming back,” she says. “They’re repeating themselves. They’re repeating the same questions or telling the same stories, and families are noticing. Friends are noticing. Coworkers, if they are working, are noticing.” Three areas concern her most—the tasks that keep an independent life running: driving, finances and medications. On driving, she asks about the red flags: moving violations, fender benders, near misses, getting lost or a passenger who no longer feels comfortable in the car. If she’s hearing those and seeing changes on cognitive testing, the conversation shifts to cutting back or stopping. When the picture is unclear, she refers patients for a formal assessment with a driving specialist for an objective read. On money, she sees patients who’ve been targeted by scams, made late payments or paid the same bill twice. Her instinct is not to take the checkbook away. “I want people to do as much for themselves as they can,” she says. Often the fix is supervision rather than taking away control. On medication, she is blunt: “Medication errors lead to emergency room visits and hospitalizations, serious injuries and even death.”

Sometimes medication is the problem. McElhone has seen patients taking high-dose opioids, benzodiazepines, anticholinergic drugs such as bladder medications, or a combination of these, whose cognition and functioning improved after their medications were reduced. “I’ve seen people clear very well,” she says. Sheinbaum’s version of the same instinct is simpler, and it’s what she tells families to watch for. “Red flag, yellow flag, green flag,” she says. “My mom’s not bathing. She doesn’t look right.” Small things. The ones adult children talk themselves out of noticing.

of what help looks like—an image of institutional care formed decades ago, when it was accurate. Then there is the promise. Sheinbaum hears it constantly: a son or daughter who swore years ago never to move a parent into a community. “Being at home looks like loneliness, isolation, long days without any kind of stimulation or socialization, ” she says. Today’s communities, in her experience, look nothing like the ones their parents feared. There’s chair yoga. Arts and crafts. Music. “Children are often tormented by the fact that they promised their mom or dad not to put them ’away,’ when they don’t know what 'away' really means.”

2 3

HAVING THE CONVERSATION

UNDERSTANDING THE OPTIONS

Here is where good intentions do the most damage. “I think too often the child will just want to take control,” McElhone says. Sheinbaum points to something structural underneath it. “Parents don’t want to be parented by their children,” she says. “That role reversal, in and of itself, brings with it a tremendous amount of psychological and emotional ramifications.” She thinks families underestimate the weight of change. “Transition at any age is difficult, and when you’ve done something for 60 or 70 years, it’s that much more difficult,” she says. Parents in their 80s are also working from an outdated picture

The spectrum runs from staying home with support through independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. But what separates one community from another? “You need to look beyond the beautiful walls,” she says. The questions she wants families asking: What are the staffing ratios? What are the response times when a resident needs help? What activities run on an ordinary Tuesday, not just on the tour? And if dementia is part of the picture, how are residents with cognitive impairment integrated into the community, and are there separate programs appropriate to them?

three areas concern her most— the tasks that keep an independent life running: driving, finances and medications.

An assessment by a care manager, she says, is a different instrument than a physician’s visit. A care manager is looking at the whole context. “What does your life look like where you are now? Are you safe? Are there scattered drugs in your home?” She’s also frank about a constraint most families discover too late: the government does not pay for care at home unless a person qualifies for Medicaid within a specific income threshold. Families who have planned carefully in every other respect are often blindsided by that one. Resources for aging adults in this country are scant, she says.

4 PLANNING BEFORE THE CRISIS “Here’s the one definite thing that we know: Nobody lives forever,” Sheinbaum says. “You can’t dispute that.” She puts a marker at 60. “When you turn 60, I think that’s a flag. Let’s stop and start thinking.” Decisions about the house, funds, about who speaks for you when you can’t—all of them are easier to make while they’re hypothetical. McElhone builds the same conversation into every comprehensive visit, particularly when a patient has come in for cognitive changes. A living will. A healthcare proxy. Preferences about aggressive intervention. And, looking further out: Do you want to stay in your home and bring help in? Live with your children? Look at assisted living? “You want to get their preferences down,” she says, while they can still state them. The urgency compounds with a dementia diagnosis, and not in the way families expect. “It’s a journey, and it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Sheinbaum says. Diagnoses are arriving earlier now; she’s seeing people in their 60s, whose bodies are strong enough that they may live with the disease for 20 years. Which is why wishes need to be recorded at the beginning. Asked what families regret most, she doesn’t hesitate: not moving sooner. Denial sets in early, signs get explained away and by the time

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“it’s not necessarily living t o a h undred, bu t living well and being as functional as p ossib le.” anyone acts, things progress. Sheinbaum gives every placement at least three months before judging it. “Friends are not made overnight,” she says. And a placement is not a handoff. “You can’t place somebody in a community setting and say bye, because it doesn’t work,” she says. “You have to be there as that person’s advocate. It does take a village.”

Fair fiel d Co unt y 's

SENIOR LIVING & CARE GUIDE Aging In Place

fitness, educational and social activities, trips, meals, wellness programs, resource referrals and transportation assistance for adults 60+; stamfordseniorct.org

GREENWICH At Home in Greenwich

Helps older residents age in place with rides, practical assistance, home-safety assessments, referrals, and social programs. athomeingreenwich.org

The Over 60 Club

Stamford nonprofit offering seniors free programs, meals, wellness activities, social events, transportation and community resource referrals; theoversixtyclub.org

The Wallace Center

5 WHAT “AGING WELL” ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE “It’s not necessarily living to 100, but living well and being as functional as possible into the end of life,” she says. That means having needed support, avoiding hospitalization and illness, getting appropriate preventive care—and, in a phrase that has taken over her field, extending health span rather than lifespan. Lifestyle matters: aerobic activity for cardiovascular benefit; strength and balance training for muscle and fall prevention; a Mediterranean-style diet; daily movement, preferably. But the part she returns to isn’t physical. “Too many of us, as we get older, our circles become smaller and smaller, and that is not good,” she says. “The people that have aged well keep their circles open. They are engaging others. They’re making new friends. They’re putting themselves out there.” She points patients toward the things already here: learning programs, senior centers, cultural and educational events. Put something on the calendar once or twice a week. Then go. That’s the goal underneath all of it: a life with enough structure to be safe and enough people in it to be worth living. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” Sheinbaum says. Which is the argument for starting the conversation now, over coffee, years before anyone has to.

Free senior center for residents 55+, offering fitness, education, social activities, meals and aging-in-place resources. greenwichwallacecenter.org

WESTPORT, WESTON, WILTON Stay at Home in Wilton

Membership-based nonprofit helping Wilton residents through volunteer rides, friendly visits, household help, educational programs and social activities; stayathomeinwilton.org

River House Adult Day Center

Nonprofit adult day program offering social, recreational, and health services for seniors while providing caregivers respite and support.

Westport Center for Senior Activities

Community center for adults 60+ offering wellness programs, classes, meals, social activities and more; westportcsa.org

NEW CANAAN, DARIEN, ROWAYTON

Weston Human Services

Town resource providing senior outreach, needs assessments, benefits assistance, counseling, Meals on Wheels coordination and referrals to services.

Waveny LifeCare Network

A nonprofit providing in-home care, geriatric care management and adult day services for people with memory loss; waveny.org

Independent & Assisted Living

Staying Put in New Canaan A membership organization helping residents 60+ through volunteer rides, home repairs, tech support and social activities; stayingputnc.org

BRIDGEPORT

3030 Park

A continuing care retirement community offering independent living, assisted living and memory care; seniorlivinghospitality. com/3030-park

At Home In Darien

A nonprofit providing free transportation, vetted serviceprovider referrals and social events to every Darien resident 60 and older; athomeindarien.org

DARIEN

Atria

STAMFORD

An independent and assisted living community and the only independent living option in Darien itself; atriaseniorliving.com

SilverSource

Nonprofit helping Stamford residents 60+ age in place with free medical transportation, post-illness home care, medical alert services and more; silversource.org

NORWALK, STAMFORD, TRUMBULL

Bridges by EPOCH

A memory-care-only community designed for every stage of dementia—the area's most

Stamford Senior Center

Nonprofit senior center offering

specialized option; bridgesbyepoch.com

NORWALK

Brightview on New Canaan

Assisted living and a dedicated memory care neighborhood offering personalized support, engaging activities and specialized care; brightviewseniorliving.com

STAMFORD

Edgehill

A continuing care community offering independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing on one campus, so residents can plan for changing needs; edgehillcommunity.com

DARIEN

Maplewood at Darien

An assisted living and memory care residence with specialized programming for Alzheimers, Parkinsons and other neurological conditions; maplewoodseniorliving. com/darien-ct

REDDING

Meadow Ridge

A 62+ continuing care retirement community on 136 acres offering independent living, assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing under a Lifecare contract; meadowridge.com

STAMFORD

Mozaic Senior Life

A nonprofit senior care organization offering independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home care, hospice and more; mozaicsl.org

DARIEN

The Residence at Selleck's Woods

An assisted living community with independent living and a dedicated memory care neighborhood; lcbseniorliving. com/communities/residence-atsellecks-woods

stamfordmag.com

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WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD?

DREW KLOTZ

KINETIC SCULPTURE

203 451 2902

DREWKLOTZ.COM

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eat&drink by MARY KATE HOGAN • photography by VENERA ALEXANDROVA

FINDERS EATERS T H O S E W H O D I S C O V E R B A R N O Ó D L E are R E W A R D E D with CRAVEABLE BOWLS, CLEVER HANDROLLS AND COCKTAILS that I N V I T E a S E C O N D R O U N D

above: XO Scallop Handroll

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left: La Passion (BP7): Prosecco, tequila, passionfruit, lime, ginger; Black Lychee (NA): Black tea, lychee, lime, soda below, center: Chili oil chicken dumplings with Sichuan spice, scallions, cilantro, black rice vinegar, crispy shallots, garlic chips, peanuts; Kobe beef dumplings with balsamic, chives, truffle mustard below: Spicy miso ramen with pork belly, chicken and pork broth, spicy miso paste, scallions, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, garlic oil, fish cake

above, left: Black Label truffle beef handrolls; Kyoto Sour with Sujo Pisco, jasmine, lime, yuzu, topped with silky foam egg white top, left: Crispy chicken bao buns right: Owners Seleste Tan and Chef Mogan Anthony

tep into barnoódle—with its shoppingcenter location sandwiched between a dry cleaners and a CVS—and it feels like you’ve uncovered a hidden gem. This cool Asian oasis is so new that it doesn’t even have an overhead sign yet. But word has spread quickly about the modern noodle bar and sushi spot, the second Greenwich restaurant for Seleste Tan and Chef Mogan Anthony, the husband-and-wife culinary duo behind the popular La Bistro in Cos Cob and Lady Wong Patisserie in New York. Inside, the dining room is lined with simple wood tables and booths, while the center features high-tops beneath five large linen globe lights. The bar, encased in deep-green tile, is frequently occupied by diners and patrons enjoying cocktails. Barnoódle is open continuously, so you can stop in for a bite or drink at any time of day. A jazz-funk mix played in the background when we ate here, creating a lively vibe.

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eat&drink

left: Royal Thai branzino, pan-roasted with zesty garlic-lime sauce, cilantro, radish; Char siu pork lettuce wraps with Cholula mustard, pickled shallots, daikon, pork shoulder, sesame seeds; Saigon charred hanger steak with scallion sauce, nuoc cham, lime, pineapple herb salad above: Beef pho with brisket, beef broth, onion, basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, aromatic spice, jalapeño below: Tatiana serves Thai papaya salad and handrolls.

The star of barnoódle, of course, is not the décor but the food: a menu with an impressive variety of delicious dishes. The cuisine is inspired by the flavors of Southeast Asia, where the owners grew up. Both of my meals here to date have been at lunch. In addition to the noodles in the name—choose “brothy” or “kind of dry” for easy ordering—the menu features an extensive selection of smaller bites, from handrolls and a raw bar to appetizers and small plates, along with a dedicated vegetarian section, gluten-free options, salads, rice bowls and entrées. Handrolls are a standout. Individual pieces of sushi with fish, meat or vegetable fillings atop rice are presented on mini wooden serving sticks separate from their nori wrappers, allowing the seaweed to remain crispy until each roll is ready to eat. These starters come with a little infographic on “how to build your handroll,” a simple and satisfying DIY process. With 23 varieties, there is something to appeal to every palate. Among the plant-based options, the smoky broccoli stands out, with its cashew sauce and pickled shallot. The ikura handroll features a generous portion of salmon roe and cucumber tucked inside nori dotted with pearls of rice cracker, giving each bite a pleasing crunch. Among the signature rolls, we liked the Black Label, a two-piece portion of trufflelaced beef that is so tender and delicious, with a hint of earthy flavor

from the truffle nikiri. These are bites that stay with you, luring you back for another taste. Other appetizers we enjoyed include the aromatic chili-oil chicken dumplings, which have a kick of spice and seem almost identical to the highly touted Tiger Mom dumplings at La Bistro.

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eat&drink far left: Barnoódle general manager Jean Paul Romanelli and Chef/Owner Mogan Anthony left: Heiwa KID Junmai, a favorite everyday premium sake from Wakayama, Japan. The team recommends it because it’s easy to enjoy and complements everything from fresh seafood to grilled dishes. below clockwise, top left to right: Tempura Eggplant Handroll; Avocado + Cucumber Handroll; Smoky Broccoli Handroll; XO Scallop Handroll; Black Label, Truffle Beef Handroll; Ikura Crispy Nori Rice Pearl Handroll

“barnoódle is open continuously, so you can stop in for a bite or drink at any time of day.” The c hicken b ao b uns a re fi lled wi th li ghtly fr ied ch icken in an Asian barbecue sauce, making for a substantial portion. The kani crab appetizer, recommended by our server, was especially refreshing on a hot day, with jicama, daikon pickle and tobiko complementing the crab. On the salad side, the Thai Papaya’s julienned carrots, cucumbers and peanuts lend plenty of crunch, tossed in a ginger-tamarind dressing with a hint of heat. You can add salmon, chicken, steak or shrimp to any of the salads for a meal-sized portion. Though we only scratched the surface of the noodle selection, the yuzu kosho beef noodles were outstanding: noodles coated in a lush green pesto with spinach, basil and lime zest, with crispy shallots and candied peanuts rounding out the dish. With the bar as part of the focus here, barnoódle also offers a strong list of craft cocktails, i ncluding u nexpected options such as the Violette Milk Punch with coconut milk, yuzu and purple sweet potato, as well as drinks like Fire & Smoke, Mogan’s favorite, made with Amaras Mezcal, ginger, honey, lemon and candied ginger. Among the non-alcoholic offerings, w e liked the Quiet Heat, made with Seedlip, miso honey, lemon and ginger beer. Thai iced tea, iced matcha lattes, and iced green and black teas are available too. Dessert is simple: green-tea ice cream and other flavors that change daily. S

BARNOÓDLE 1247 East Putnam Avenue, Riverside, 203-990-0072; barnoodle.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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Voices of Stamford getaway by megan gagnon

WHERE COMMUNITY TAKES ROOT

hat makes a city a community? Is it the places we gather, the organizations that serve us or the people who quietly dedicate their time and talent to making Stamford a better place? I believe it is all of these things, as well as the connections between them. Welcome to Voices of Stamford, a new monthly column where I’ll introduce you to the people, organizations and stories that make our city such a special place to live, work and grow. As a longtime Stamford resident and proud member of the Stamford Garden Club, I have had the privilege of experiencing our city in many ways. I am a business owner, community volunteer, real estate professional and neighbor. What continues to inspire me most is the incredible number of people who care deeply about Stamford and choose to make a difference in their neighborhoods. I can’t think of a better way to begin this series than with a story

about the Stamford Garden Club and Mill River Park. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, a day that changed our nation and touched our city deeply. Ten Stamford residents lost their lives that day. For me, and so many others, September 11th is personal. That morning, I was on my way to Wall Street to conduct a corporate wellness event. After arriving at Grand Central Station, I took a bus rather than the subway. When the bus came to a sudden stop near 14th Street, we saw the first tower collapse and people running toward us, covered in ash. When I finally made it home that night, I was alone and overwhelmed by fear. I couldn't sleep. Eventually, I called a lifelong friend who was deeply involved with the American Red Cross in Stamford. She invited me to help with disaster relief efforts. That experience changed me. It taught me something I have carried with me ever since: We need each other. It also showed me the importantance of community. That is one reason the 9/11 Memorial and Garden along the Mill River means so much to me. Its story began nearly 20 years ago. In 2006, Robert and Kate Bartlett made a generous gift to the Stamford Garden Club: ten elm trees, planted in honor of the ten Stamford residents we lost on September 11. The Stamford Garden Club, in collaboration with Mill River Park, planted those trees alongside a historic cemetery, creating a living tribute to those people. At the time, the area looked very

At the 9/11 Memorial and Meditation Garden along the Mill River, the Stamford Garden Club planted ten elm trees in honor of each resident that was lost 25 years ago.

different from the vibrant Mill River Park we know today. But the trees grew. And they stood through seasons and storms as the city and the park was transformed around them. The city changed. The park changed. The community changed. But the trees remained. There is something powerful about that. A tree grows deep roots, withstands storms and continues reaching toward the light. In many ways, it is a beautiful metaphor for community. I am grateful to those who helped make this vision possible, including Miriam Shaw, former president of the Stamford Garden Club, Arty Selkowitz, former president of the Mill River Park Collaborative Board of Directors, and Robert and Kate Bartlett.

These trees remind us that remembering is not simply about looking backward. It is also about how we carry those memories forward. That’s the message this column will explore. Each month, I’ll introduce you to the people who are planting seeds, building organizations, preserving our history, supporting our neighbors, creating businesses, volunteering their time and bringing people together. Because a city is more than its buildings and streets. A community is built through connection. And sometimes, the most meaningful stories are the ones that have been quietly growing among us for many years. Just like these trees. S

CONTRIBUTED

Mia Schipani is CEO of Schipani PR and believes relationships are at the heart of business and community.

DESIGNER-APPROVED DESTINATIONS BY MIA SCHIPANI

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEOGRAPHY

SOCIAL MEDIA

Moffly Media is one of the leading providers of professional event photography and marketing services in Fairfield County. We capture compelling, high-quality images of individuals and groups at meaningful events. With our wide range of capabilities from video to social media, Moffly will customize a marketing program that’s just right for you.

LEARN MORE! CONTACT KATHLEEN GODBOLD AT KATHLEEN.GODBOLD@MOFFLY.COM OR 203.571.1654

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PETER CORBETT. 1

BUILDING ONE COMMUNITY / The Village in Stamford

Sense of Belonging

ore than 200 community leaders and supporters attended Building One Community’s (B1C) 11th Annual Colloquium at The Village in Stamford. B1C Executive Director Marissa Muñoz moderated an expert panel and audience Q&A to discuss the critical role immigrants play in the local workforce and community. Marta Garcia spoke about her journey launching Marta’s Empanadictas. b1c.org » 1 Building One Community staff 2 Marta Garcia, B1C participant and founder of Marta’s Empanadictas 3 John Suhler, Bruce Koe, Jose Rivera, Linda Koe 4 Mary Sommer, Bruce Koe 5 B1C panelists: Marissa Muñoz, Leah Kagan, David Kallick, Grace Suh 6 Kelly Villacres, Daniel Lopez, Zayed Rodriguez 7 Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons 8 Ivonne Zucco, Alice Knapp, Matt Quinones NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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OBSERVE THE MOON / Astronomy Center and

Lunar Views 9

stronomy buffs explored the cosmos during an Observe the Moon event at Stamford Museum & Nature Center. This NASA-led initiative is a worldwide effort to “celebrate our closest celestial neighbor.” Gathering under the night sky, and in the Astronomy Center and Planetarium, guests took part in moon-themed demonstrations, watched the planetarium’s Stamford Skies show in a state-of-the-art domed theater, and marveled at the moon through telescopes. stamfordmuseum.org »

1 Aerial view of SM&NC Astronomy Center & Planetarium 2 Krystal Dogolo, Mike Nastri 3 Cassidy Hernandez 4 Astronomer-led presentation 5 Guests enjoy the night sky. 6 Tiffany Evangelista 7 Historic New York Times featuring front-page coverage of the moon landing 8 State-of-the-art Planetarium theater 9 The Saari Family 10 Lexanne and Josh Dubinsky

EVENT PHOTOS BY BRUCE ALDAY, FORDIAN MEDIA; ALL OTHER IMAGES BY TSKP STUDIOS)

Planetarium at Stamford Museum & Nature Center

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11 Eric Novak 12 Pin souvenirs from the NASA-led event 13 Frank Cassella 14 Savera Nair, Charlie Eder, Aakanksh Vuppalo 15 Guests gather in planetarium. 16 Aliyah Salim, Alex Duran 17 SM&NC Executive Director Bill Brucker with son, Matthew 18 Cassidy Hernandez 19 Charlie Eder 20 Exterior of Astronomy Center & Planetarium 21 Guests enjoy “Stamford Skies” live planetarium show 22 Gabby Bosch »

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BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE / GlenArbor Golf Club

olf, mahjong and philanthropy came together for a day of community and giving at GlenArbor Golf Club. The Breast Cancer Alliance event brought together corporate leaders, philanthropists, physicians, advocates and friends to support breast cancer research, breast surgery fellowships and screening programs for underserved women across Connecticut and Westchester County. breastcanceralliance.org »

1 Patricia Mee, Julie Stein, Laura Klarman, Paige McInerney 2 Bob Dryzgula, Marlene Gilbert, Karen Colella, Michelle Bella 3 Aida Dowdle, Alison Blicharz, Myrna Levinson, Frank Moore 4 Mahjong tiles 5 Amanda Stern, Nathalie Carpenter, Alex Hardyment, Liz Saxe 6 Matt McSpedon, Melissa Maurer, Diane Ouchterloney, Mike Malone 7 Francesca Ugas, Christina Wang, Dana Lewis, Pia Miranda, Anita Olby, Ginette Dean 8 Shaun and Amy Fletcher 9 Kathleen Dyke, Brynn John 10 Zac Mathias, Emily Brown

MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE / CARA GILBRIDE

Play It Forward

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WOMEN’S MENTORING NETWORK BENEFIT / Indian Harbor Yacht

Club

Sharing Success

MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE / BOB CAPAZZO

onoring both mentors and clients, the Stamford-based Women’s Mentoring Network hosted its annual waterfront gala at Indian Harbor Yacht Club. Guests enjoyed dinner, a raffle and live music by Mesha Steele, along with an opportunity to network and hear inspiring success stories. Proceeds will help the nonprofit assist women with workforce development, educational support and career opportunities to achieve economic independence. wmninc.org S

1 Front row: Loredana Britka, Dana Randell, Romana Mocan, Vanessa Lecorps, Lana Gifas, Donna Poulard Rie; Back row: Isaiah Bien Aime, Alejandra Ramirez Wells 2 Dierdre McCaffrey, Diana Stemm, Lana Gifas, Karen Palladino, Donna Zacharis, Lauren Shea, Gaetana Capozzo 3 Elizabeth Castillo, Katherine Nevins, Alisa Kolenovic, Teshia LevyGrant, Tonya Williams, Anny Palanco 4 Anne Jordan Duffy, Omni Thompson, Norma Carby, Shannon Daniels, Mia Schipani 5 Esteban Camacho, Sofia Amorim, Lindita Biberaj, Ana Guzman, Eduardo Cabrera 6 Rachel Norzelous, Samantha Christopher, Stacia Morris, Sandy Senior, Sylvia Barchue 7 Edlira Gjonbalaj, Elona Shape, Marta Hryniszyn 8 Denise Yap, Lindsay Vanderheof, Traci Lewis, Rhea Patel 9 Vanessa Lecorps, Lillian Dutra 10 Caroline Cardona, Elisa Ayala, Nicole Nelson 11 Valerie Lazzari, Michelle DeRocco, Yesenia Magana, Anna Kinney 12 Jennifer Flores, Jacqueline Causa

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LIGHT A FIRE 2026

Ins iring Change by jill johnson mann • photography by katharine calderwood seating courtesy of object refinery, Stamford

m e et t he ne ighb ors whose passion for service i s m ak i ng a l ast ing difference in our c ommun it y

mong this year’s honorees of Moffly Media’s annual Light a Fire awards is a modern-day lighthouse keeper. “Lighthouses have this almost universal ability to inspire people,” says Alex Pettee, the man keeping the light shining bright at Greens Ledge Lighthouse. “Lighthouses have always represented safety, guidance and perseverance,” says his father, Timothy. The same can be said of our Light a Fire winners. They are beacons of hope for the community and lifesavers for those among us struggling rough waters in life or feeling lost at sea. One is an 11-year-old whose heart broke for a young male figure skater being bullied because of his passion; she had to take a stand. Several are immigrants who never forgot the kindness showered on them in their new country, and so they have devoted themselves to giving back to others in need. One turned losing her mom at 19 into

a mission that has furthered female cancer diagnosis and provided financial relief to women with breast cancer. One left finance in her early thirties so she could change lives instead. Others are helping seniors, teaching teens, feeding the hungry and teaching men that asking for help with their mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness. Their beams of light are criss-crossing our communities and beyond like steady, reassuring signals from a lighthouse. They are awesome. And they have a message for their neighbors, which honoree Kendall Webb sums up perfectly: “It’s easy to think, What difference can I possibly make? But one of the things I’ve learned through this work is that you don’t have to solve the whole problem to change the direction of someone’s life. A relatively small amount of help at the right moment can make an enormous difference.”

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ALEX PETTEE

LEIGH KENNEDY

DR. INNA LAZAR

PETER EDER

KENDALL WEBB

KAILE ZAGGER

TOM TAMBERRINO

AUDREY LAM-DANBACK

ROBERTA "BOBBY" ANDERSON

EVAN DUNNE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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DR. INNA LAZAR {    }

INSPIRATION

Inna Lazar came to the U.S. from Ukraine as a child. “My family had to build a new life from the beginning. That experience has stayed with me. I know how much it means to have opportunities, support and people who care as you find your way,” she says. Dr. Lazar went on to attend medical school and build a successful practice. As her practice grew, she wanted to find a way to lend support to those in need. “Becoming a mother made that desire even more personal,” says Dr. Lazar. “I think about how much we all want our children to feel supported and have every chance to thrive. Being able to ease even one worry for another parent feels like a meaningful way to give back.”

COURAGE INTO ACTION

Dr. Lazar founded Eyecare from the Heart to provide comprehensive eye exams, glasses and myopia management for children who might otherwise go without this essential care. “It began with a simple belief: Every child deserves to see clearly, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances,” says Dr. Lazar. “A child may not know that the way they see the world could be different. They may simply think reading is difficult or that the board at school is supposed to look blurry. Having the opportunity to help change that to make their day a little easier, and their world a little clearer, is something I never take for granted.”

O R GA N I Z AT I O N

Eyecare From The Heart

To date, 28 children, primarily from Greenwich, have benefitted from Eyecare from the Heart. “Especially meaningful to me is that 11 of those children have received myopia management treatment to help slow the progression of their nearsightedness and protect their vision for the future,” says Dr. Lazar.

HOPES & DREAMS

“My hope is that we can reach more children and make it easier for families to ask for and receive the care they need,” says Dr. Lazar. “I would love to strengthen our relationships with schools and community organizations so that parents know we are here. As a mother, it is difficult to imagine knowing your child needs care and worrying about how you will afford it. If we can help lift that burden, that means so much to me. My dream is to keep building on that work with care and compassion, helping more children see clearly today while caring for their vision for the years ahead.”

Words of Praise

“Dr. Inna Lazar is that rare combination of heart, head and hands. She is a true triple threat: an expert in her craft, an elite communicator with a spirit of generosity infused throughout her practice. Eyecare From the Heart is also quite unique, as there are not many nonprofits that cover advanced eyecare in and for a community setting. Eyecare From the Heart, supercharged by a Pitch Your Peers $25,000 grant last year, is already hard at work in our hometown, improving eyes— and lives— right here in Greenwich.” — N i n a L i n d i a , Pres i d e n t , P i t c h Yo u r Pe e rs

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AUDREY LAM-DANBACK O R GA N I ZAT I O N

{    }

Skate Against Hate

INSPIRATION

Eleven-year-old Audrey Lam-Danback has been skating competitively for three years. “I fell in love with skating when I was six years old and stepped onto the ice for the first time at the Greenwich Skating Club,” she says. “The ice is a place where I can express myself, feel the music and just be me.” It’s a feeling she believes everyone deserves. When Audrey learned that a friend was being bullied on the ice, she knew she had to do something. “He’s an amazing male figure skater. He was being bullied simply because he was a boy who loved figure skating, and that really bothered me,” says Audrey. “Then I went to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan with my family, and that made an even bigger impression on me. I saw athletes from so many different countries and backgrounds all coming together because they loved their sport. It made me think about what I could do in my own skating community.”

COURAGE INTO ACTION

“I came up with the idea of putting on an ice show to raise money and awareness,” explains Audrey. “I started reaching out to skaters and organizations in the skating community. We needed a rink, skaters to perform, a website and a way to get everyone to come! I was amazed by how many people wanted to help.” The Skate Against Hate ice show last April raised more than $20,000 for anti-hate and antibullying efforts, with proceeds donated to the American Ice Theatre, which uses skating to promote artistic expression, inclusion and community engagement. “We had 25 skaters

volunteer to perform, including some incredible professional skaters, and more than 100 people came to support us,” says Audrey. Since the exhibition, Skate Against Hate has raised another $15,000—giving Audrey an even bigger platform to show that there’s no place for bullying in skating.

HOPES & DREAMS

Audrey is already planning the 2027 event and has big dreams for both the cause and herself. She hopes to see Skate Against Hate expand to other states, countries and even sports. She also hopes “to create a scholarship foundation for kids who love figure skating but might not have the money to pursue it.” For herself, she says, “the Olympics would be my ultimate dream, but I also never want to get so focused on results that I forget how much I just love being on the ice.”

Words of Praise

“Watching Audrey stand in front of a large crowd and speak so confidently and sincerely about the importance of acceptance, kindness and making sure everyone feels like they belong was so moving. Seeing an 11-year-old not only recognize a problem, but have the courage to use her voice and bring a community together around it, was incredibly powerful.” — J a n e Le h n

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TOM TAMBERRINO & EVAN DUNNE

{     }

O R GA N I ZAT I O N

Wave Strong Foundation

INSPIRATION

“A month before my fourth birthday, my dad died by suicide,” says Darien resident Evan Dunne. When several Darien teenagers died by suicide in 2022, Dunne saw it as a wake-up call. As a Wave Strong board member, he is passionate about breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and helping teens and men understand that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. “We have a chance to change young people’s lives and trajectories,” he says. For fellow Wave Strong board member Tom Tamberrino, the organization’s mission is deeply personal. After struggling with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and anxiety, Tom attempted suicide in June 2024. Following treatment at Silver Hill Hospital and Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore, he made a full recovery. “Wave Strong’s mission is very personal to me,” he says. Changing the stigma starts with changing the language. “People die from cancer and they die from suicide; they don’t ‘commit’ suicide,” he emphasizes. “Having been to that breaking point, it’s not a personal decision; it’s the disease’s decision.”

COURAGE INTO ACTION

Tamberrino and Dunne have been instrumental in creating men’s

events that bring Wave Strong’s message to life. “We have had speakers from sports stars to everyday people like us,” says Dunne. “The event that sticks out most to me is the Boys Will Be Men talk with Vince Benevento. We had a room full of men, from teens to men with teen sons. There was a group of young men in the front row, completely locked into the conversation, opening up and allowing themselves to be vulnerable. This is what it’s all about.” Tamberrino adds, “Community is the medicine.” He recalls a men’s event the duo organized at Ox Ridge Hunt Club and the flood of messages afterwards from men who had thought they were alone in their struggles. “You don’t need to go to a golf club, drink beers and talk about the Knicks or Yankees. You can grab a cup of coffee with another man and talk about your feelings. You can talk about feeling vulnerable or pressured.” Wave Strong is also bringing these conversations to younger generations. High school students in the Wave Strong Club provide peer-to-peer programming for middle schoolers at the Depot in Darien. Tamberrino is grateful that his own children are learning these lessons early. He points to a talk Dunne organized for the Darien High School football team featuring Ryan Leaf, a former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate who has spoken openly about addiction,

incarceration and recovery. Today, Leaf is a football broadcaster and lives in Connecticut with his wife and children. For Tamberrino, Leaf’s story is another reminder that vulnerability, connection and asking for help can change the course of a life.

HOPES & DREAMS “I want our community to have a greater sense of courage to help those who don’t ask for help and empower people to know they can ask,” says Evan. Tom adds, “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. That’s the message I hope everyone understands. Whatever it is you’re going through—your girlfriend broke up with you, you were catfished and are being blackmailed, you’re bankrupt—all

of that is temporary. I hope we can demonstrate that raising your hand—asking for help—is the new strength.”

Words of Praise “The mental health tides have turned in Darien in a very positive way,” says Laura Bremer, CoFounder of the Wave Strong Foundation. “We are openly talking, sharing and supporting our residents with the determination to reach those who need us most. Tom and Evan have made a massive impact in such a short time.”

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KENDALL WEBB {   }

O R GA N I Z AT I O N S

Charity Bridge Fund, TisBest, ClassACT, Americares, Weston EMS, Nurturing Minds, SEGA, SquashBridge, Fresh Air Fund

INSPIRATION

“I grew up in a privileged town in Connecticut, but my life has taken me into communities very different from the one I knew growing up—from prisons and lower-income neighborhoods to communities facing extreme poverty in India, South Africa and Tanzania,” explains Kendall Webb. “I met people working multiple jobs and doing everything they could for their families while living with very little margin for error; one missed paycheck, illness or unexpected expense could have real consequences,” she says. “In the midst of all of that, there was family, humor, generosity and enormous strength. I often came away thinking less about what people lacked and more about how much community they had—and how much they still found to give.”

COURAGE INTO ACTION

At 22, Webb landed a “dream” job at Goldman Sachs, but stepped away from finance at 34 so she could find her version of success: making a difference in people’s lives. “In 1998, I founded JustGive, one of the first online giving platforms, which went on to help raise more than $600 million for charity,” explains Webb. She also created Charity Gift Cards and serves on the board of TisBest. More recently, she founded Charity Bridge Fund to highlight nonprofit programs threatened by federal funding and policy changes—and connect donors to where help is most needed. She also launched ClassACT—Achieving Change

Words of Praise

“In my many years working in business and volunteering in the nonprofit sector, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who has done more for the welfare of children, women in Third World countries or to enhance the lives of others around the world and on our own doorstep, than Kendall Webb.” — A d r i a Pe a r l - Be l p o r t

Together—at Harvard, connecting alumni to work together for social good. Webb is a volunteer nurse at an Americares free clinic in Bridgeport and an EMT in her hometown of Weston. As an EMT, she says, “You meet people at some of the hardest moments of their lives, and quickly learn not to define someone by the moment you happen to meet them in. Someone struggling with addiction, for example, isn’t ‘an addict.’ They’re a person with a story you don’t know.” In 2008, Webb joined Nurturing Minds to help launch SEGA, a girl’s boarding school in Tanzania. She served on the board for more than 15 years, including as Chair. She also serves on the founding board of SquashBridge, an afterschool program in Bridgeport and has mentored a Norwalk student and welcomed a Fresh Air Fund child into her home.

HOPES & DREAMS

“I hope we continue to strengthen the nonprofit sector in this country—and that people understand just how important it is. If we lose the programs that help people stay healthy, employed, housed, fed and supported, relatively manageable problems can become much larger crises,” says Webb. “It’s easy to think, What difference can I possibly make? But one of the things I’ve learned through this work is that you don’t have to solve the whole problem to change the direction of someone’s life. A relatively small amount of help at the right moment can make an enormous difference.”

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{      }

LEIGH KENNEDY

O R GA N I Z AT I O N

Horizons at New Canaan Country Day School

INSPIRATION

“What inspires me most is seeing the mission of Horizons in action,” says Leigh Kennedy. She loves seeing students’ energy and excitement on campus each summer and volunteering alongside a staff that is “always thinking about new enrichment and ways to increase learning, while the kids are just being kids and having fun.” Each June Leigh tries to attend the graduation ceremony, which deepens her passion for the program. “Some of the students have been part of the program since they were in kindergarten,” she says. “At the ceremony, they each share a special memory and a person who has had an impact. It really brings home just how meaningful all the traditions and relationships are to the students.”

COURAGE INTO ACTION

Horizons at New Canaan Country Day School (NCCS) addresses significant academic and economic opportunity gaps for over 350 underresourced K–12 students from Norwalk and Stamford each year through tuition-free summer programming, one-to-one tutoring, Saturday events and college and career prep. For Kennedy and her family, Horizons is a deep-rooted commitment. Long before she joined the board in 2020, Kennedy and her husband, Phil, were steadfast supporters. Their children followed suit, working as a teaching assistant and volunteer. Each summer, the Kennedys also open their backyard pool to Horizons students and families for recreational swimming and

lessons for children and their caregivers. Leigh served as Horizons Vice Chair and then became Board Chair in 2024. “With each year, I’ve continued to learn more about the dedication and commitment that the leaders and partners—from the donors to our host school, New Canaan Country School— bring to Horizons year after year,” she says. “As Board Chair, my primary goal was to build on that tradition. We have a large board filled with smart, committed family and faculty representatives, and a goal for me was to make sure that everyone felt heard and had opportunities to contribute.”

HOPES & DREAMS

“My hope is that the magic of the Horizons community continues for many years to come,” says Leigh. “We have teachers and staff members who have been part of the program for 10, some over 20, years, and it is clear how much they care about Horizons and, more importantly, about the kids. I want every student to feel that same love and sense of belonging, and to know they are fully supported in achieving whatever they set their minds to.”

Words of Praise

“Leigh Kennedy is the embodiment of the Moffly Media Light a Fire Award. As the Board Chair (2024-2026) of Horizons at New Canaan Country School, Leigh combines visionary leadership with hands-on, heartfelt service. Leigh shows up to every event with a smile, ready to work and advocate for the Horizons at NCCS students and their families. It is impossible to imagine where Horizons at NCCS would be without her selflessness, strategic focus and the countless volunteer hours she pours into our mission.” — W h i t n ey M a l l oz z i , D i re c t o r of Co m m u n i c a t i o n s , D eve l o p m e n t a n d G ra n t s, H o r i zo n s a t N e w C a n a a n Co u n t r y Sc h o o l stamfordmag.com

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PETER EDER {     }

O R GA N I ZAT I O N S

AARP, St. John Church, Darien Library, VITA

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), providing free tax preparation to those who need it. “This includes managing appointments and ensuring proper document preparation,” explains Eder. With AARP training and 22 days of volunteer work this year alone, Eder helped prepare more than 650 filers. Eder’s commitment to his community extends well beyond AARP. He volunteers at St. John Church and serves on the Darien Commission on Aging. As a founding board member of At Home in Darien, he helps seniors remain in their homes and connected to their community with dignity and independence. He also helps organize Met Opera rebroadcasts at Darien Library, creating meaningful and enriching cultural experiences, particularly for older adults.

INSPIRATION

The seeds of inspiration for Peter Eder’s fruitful life were planted at 219 Audubon Avenue, a six-story apartment building a few blocks from the George Washington Bridge. He and his family landed in Washington Heights during World War II, joining Orthodox Jewish refugees, young Cuban and Puerto Rican families seeking work and first-generation Irish and Italian families. “These neighbors welcomed my immigrant Viennese father, his Bavarian farm wife and my older brother and me to a true melting pot.” Eder recalls. “From the very beginning, they helped us not just in learning the language, responsibilities and customs, but in gaining an awareness and appreciation of the joy and benefits of an intergenerational and multicultural society.”

HOPES & DREAM

Eder hopes people will recognize the value of intergenerational communities, “from the smallest, basic gathering of family and neighbors to the wider communities we all reside in,” and rediscover “the benefits and the beauty of ‘the common good.’” He also encourages people to embrace “the unselfish support of others” and recognize the value caregiving brings to both those receiving care and those providing it.

COURAGE INTO ACTION

Through his extensive work with AARP, Peter has made a meaningful impact on issues affecting seniors across Connecticut and the country. His dedication and service were recognized with the prestigious AARP Andrus Award for Community Service. “My AARP volunteering has ranged from signing folks into events, acting as a moderator for panel discussions and doing media interviews to organizing and lobbying legislators on important issues,” says Eder. In 2021, he helped Connecticut become the 15th state to guarantee virtual visitation and monitoring in care facilities—a need especially critical during the pandemic. For the past 10 tax seasons, Eder has volunteered with the IRS

Words of Praise

“Peter has long been a passionate advocate for seniors, championing legislation, programs and community initiatives that support older adults and help them remain active, connected and independent. What makes Peter especially deserving of the Light a Fire Award is not simply the breadth of his volunteer work, but the consistency, humility and humanity with which he carries it out. He is tireless in his commitment to seniors, approaching every effort with kindness, patience and genuine care. Peter has enriched the lives of countless people in Darien and beyond.” — C h r i s J o n es , At H o m e i n D a r i e n

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ALEX PETTEE {    }

INSPIRATION

When Greens Ledge Lighthouse went up for auction in 2016, a group of local residents—including Tim and Alex Pettee—placed the winning bid. What began as an unlikely purchase soon became a mission: The group formed the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society and set out to restore the historic beacon. Today, Alex Pettee is a modern-day lightkeeper, helping ensure that Greens Ledge continues to shine over Long Island Sound. “Finance is my day job at Hoya Capital, but I’ve always had an engineer’s and entrepreneur’s mindset,” says Alex. “Greens Ledge has been a perfect outlet for that. Every challenge is a little different, from historic restoration and marine construction to transportation, environmental monitoring and figuring out how to build a sustainable nonprofit model around a lighthouse in the middle of Long Island Sound.” That sense of purpose extends beyond the work itself. “Lighthouses also have this almost universal ability to inspire people,” says Alex.

COURAGE INTO ACTION

The group acquired the lighthouse a few years after it had been pummeled by Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. “The immediate goal was simply to save the lighthouse,” says Alex. “Since then, we’ve completed a major restoration, built the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society into an all-volunteer nonprofit and transformed the lighthouse from a deteriorating offshore landmark into an active community resource.” Public access and educational programming have been expanded and partnerships with local schools and environmental organizations have “turned the lighthouse into a real-world science platform for monitoring Long Island Sound,” says Alex. “This year, we also launched our new passenger

O R GA N I Z AT I O N

Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society

vessel, the Lightkeeper Charlie Erdmann, to bring students, researchers, volunteers and members of the community out to the lighthouse.”

HOPES & DREAMS

“My dream is for Greens Ledge to become one of the great examples of what historic preservation can look like in the 21st century,” says Alex. “Preservation is much more meaningful and sustainable when a place continues to have an active purpose. I’d love to see thousands of students experience the Lighthouse as an outdoor classroom, researchers use it to better understand Long Island Sound, and more people from our community have the opportunity to step inside a landmark they’ve seen their entire lives.” He adds, “Ultimately, I hope Greens Ledge continues to bring people together and connect our history with education, science and community.”

Words of Praise

“Alex embodies the spirit of a lighthouse keeper—quietly, consistently and selflessly ensuring that Greens Ledge Lighthouse continues to serve as a beacon for the community. He has devoted countless volunteer hours to preserving one of Connecticut’s most iconic maritime landmarks, often working behind the scenes without seeking recognition. Alex has played a significant role in protecting an important piece of New England maritime history so future generations can appreciate and learn from it.” — T i m o t hy Pe t t e e ( A l ex ’s fa t h e r, p res i d e n t , G re e n s L e d ge L i g h t Pre s e r va t i o n So c i e t y) . stamfordmag.com

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ROBERTA ANDERSON {    }

“BOBBY” O R GA N I ZAT I O N

Catholic Charities Stamford: Home of New Covenant Center

INSPIRATION

“Every person deserves to be seen, welcomed and treated with dignity,” says Bobby Anderson. “I believe in a God who calls us to care for one another, especially the least among us. For me, food is a language of love. A warm meal can nourish the body, but the welcome that comes with it can nourish the spirit.” At Catholic Charities Stamford: Home of New Covenant Center, Bobby sees that philosophy come to life every day. She has witnessed how “small acts of kindness become something much larger when we do them together. I often think of the child on the beach who throws one starfish at a time back into the ocean. We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can make a difference for the person standing in front of us,” she says.

COURAGE INTO ACTION

Anderson began volunteering at Catholic Charities 30 years ago. For the past three years, she has helped develop the New Covenant Center’s breakfast program, which has grown from serving about 30 guests each morning to about 120 guests. “Together with the ‘breakfast bunch’—an incredible group of volunteers—we prepare meals, creatively use Food Rescue donations and make sure that

every morning begins with both nourishment and a welcoming presence,” she explains. For Anderson, the mission is not to simply serve food; it’s about building relationships. “One morning, when I told a man he was our last guest, he replied, ‘I am not a guest; I am family.’ That moment captured what we are trying to create,” she says.

HOPES & DREAMS

“My hope is that Catholic Charities Stamford continues to be a place where people experiencing hardship are not defined by their circumstances, but are recognized for their humanity and welcomed with compassion, dignity and a smile,” says Bobby. “As we settle into a new state-of-the-art space, I know we will continue building a stronger, more connected community—one where everyone feels seen, known and cared for. Together—with compassion, dignity, generosity and a smile—we can make a difference. Let us keep volunteering—one meal, one conversation and one act of kindness at a time. Let us be the people who see the person in front of us, reach out a hand and refuse to believe that any life is beyond hope. Together, we can do more than serve a community; we can become the community we hope to see: one family, caring for one another, until everyone has a place at the table.”

Words of Praise

“Bobby Anderson has been a dedicated volunteer for over 30 years. Bobby leads breakfast every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, preparing and serving robust and delicious meals to our guests. Once a month, she prepares and serves lunch alongside her church group. She is also always willing to lend a hand in the food pantry. Bobby considers our guests to be part of her family, and that love and care can be seen in the way she shows up for them day after day. On any given day, you can find Bobby somewhere at New Covenant Center, simply asking, ‘What needs to be done?’” — Au d ra H es s i o n , D eve l o p m e n t O f f i c e r, C a t h o l i c C h a r i t i es S t a m fo rd : H o m e of N e w Cove n a n t Ce n t e r NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

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KAILE ZAGGER {    }

O R GA N I Z AT I O N

Pink Aid

INSPIRATION

“I was thirteen when my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and nineteen when I held her hand for the last time,” says Kaile Zagger. “Those six tender, difficult years shaped the woman I would become. I came to know illness in all its cruelty, yet I also witnessed a grace that lives in me still: a gentle circle of women, friends and neighbors who carried us when we could no longer carry ourselves. That is where my devotion to giving back quietly took root.” With generations of breast and ovarian cancer in her family, Kaile received her own cancer diagnosis this year. “Once again, I was cradled by remarkable people, a beautiful community and boundless love,” she says. “I try to give back so that every woman walking through her most fragile season may feel that same embrace.”

COURAGE INTO ACTION

Kaile’s mother’s cancer was misdiagnosed and, thirty-two years later, that issue continues. “Women’s cancers are still too often overlooked or discovered too late,” says Kaile. “Ovarian cancer rarely speaks aloud; it whispers through back pain, bloating and subtle shifts, and a few thoughtful questions about symptoms and family history can alter the course of a life.” Kaile spearheaded a program, the MAT Designation, named for her mother (Marilyn Ann Trahan), which she describes as “a rigorous course and examination that helps physicians recognize women’s cancers early.” This work has been honored with two proclamations from the state of Connecticut. Another burden of cancer is “financial toxicity. One in four women must step away from

work or reduce her hours, and even with private insurance, costs rise by an average of $600 a month,” says Kaile. She knows; she endured three major surgeries in six months. “I witnessed firsthand how swiftly the costs of healing gather, from nourishment to hyperbaric therapy to lymphatic care, most of it unreimbursed. Too many women are forced to choose between healing and life’s simplest essentials.” This is why Kaile is passionate about Pink Aid, a Westport-based organization with a mission to close that gap. Pink Aid has delivered more than $6 million in emergency financial aid to breast cancer patients since 2015. Now Kaile, who is Global Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences at Riveron, has founded the Visionary Circle, a corporate healthcare advisory council, to help advance Pink Aid’s mission.

HOPES & DREAMS

“Pink Aid is at capacity, unable to serve many deserving women, while 180,000 await emergency support,” laments Kaile. “I envision the Visionary Circle as the heart of our next chapter: a community of accomplished leaders who will help us grow our resources exponentially, deepen our corporate partnerships and extend our reach to the places where women are suffering most. My dream is a world in which no woman must choose between her health and her family’s stability.”

Words of Praise

“Kaile Zagger is a true force. We are incredibly fortunate to have her championing Pink Aid’s mission. Through her leadership in launching the Visionary Circle, Kaile is opening doors to new corporate partnerships and collaboration with world-class thought leaders. Kaile aims to expand Pink Aid’s national reach. Her passion, generosity and determination to turn her own challenges into meaningful change are truly inspiring.” — Co u r t n ey Pr u s s i n , P i n k A i d Boa rd M e m b e r stamfordmag.com

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State of Giving in Fairfield County Light a Fire is back! Reimagined and ready to spark what’s next. This year’s

event amplifies a simple truth: we’re Better Together when individuals, towns and organizations collaborate to solve challenges bigger than any one effort alone. Enjoy an Evening featuring: • Networking Cocktail Reception with nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, foundation officers and dedicated community members • Exclusive “Future of Giving” Fireside Chat with Mendi Blue Paca, President & CEO of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation • 2026 Light a Fire Honoree Awards Celebration, hosted by actor and director James Naughton

Every ticket directly supports the Light a Fire Foundation, a 501(c)(3) improving the lives of Fairfield County residents with a focus on children, women and immigrants. Sponsored by

Scan here for event and ticket information. Or, visit MofflyLifestyleMedia.com/LightAFire

Scan me NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026 STAMFORD

2026

2024 Light a Fire event. Photography by Kyle Norton

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Tues, Nov 10, 2026 | 6PM | New Canaan Library

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THE

BAR Meet the winners of Stamford Magazine’s Annual Best Bartender Competition b y E L I Z A B E T H H O L E par ty photos S A R A H S N Y D E R

Harbor Point was abuzz with more than 700 guests for the 14th annual Stamford magazine Best Bartender Contest, a sold-out event featuring 23 of the area’s top restaurants, all serving inventive libations and creative cuisine. When it was time to select winners, the four judges, all Stamford residents, had their work cut out for them. “We looked at creativity, presentation and taste,” says SCOTT BURRELL, head coach for men’s basketball at Southern Connecticut State University and a former NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls. He joined the judging panel with his wife, JEANE COAKELY, a sports broadcaster for SportsNet New York. “Some of the drinks were great on their own, but when you paired them with the food, it elevated the whole experience,” she says. Judge RAENAH FARINA, tastemaker behind @stamfordfoodie, acknowledged that the bartenders really brought their personalities to the event. The competition was so fierce judges called a tie in the Sip + Snack category. “This year’s event was especially lively and fun,” she says. As for judge MARK SUDOL, an Emmy-Award winning journalist, he was pleased to see the local food scene is booming. “It’s grown quite a bit since I started judging this event. It’s great for the city!”

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BEST BARTENDER PRIME: AN AMERICAN KITCHEN AND BAR

Cocktail: Garden Spritz Bartenders: Diego Ramirez, Amanda Donofrio, Georgina Vahos and Karlton Parrott Designed with glass walls to highlight views, Prime overlooks Stamford Harbor. Diners come for dry-aged beef and steakhouse sides, as well as sushi and surf-and-turf. The location is a popular destination because it combines the energy of a modern steakhouse, the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant, and a waterfront setting. Q&A: Charles Stedman, General Manager What are the ingredients of the winning cocktail and who created it? The Garden Spritz is made with Lalo Tequila, cucumber, green apple, lime, St-Germain and basil syrup, and it was created by our Beverage Manager Diego Ramirez. Why was the drink such a crowd-pleaser? Made with organic ingredients and cold-pressed juices, The Garden Spritz balances sweetness, acidity and fresh herbal notes. It has enough complexity to be interesting while remaining light, approachable and easy to enjoy. What food did you serve and why did it pair well with the cocktail? Duck rillettes with orange mostarda, grilled peach and radish. The cocktail’s bright acidity cut through the richness of the duck, while its citrus and herbal notes complemented the tanginess of the orange mostarda and the sweetness of the grilled peach. Describe the philosophy of Prime, and why it’s such a popular destination. Prime offers an upscale but comfortable dining experience in one of Stamford’s best waterfront settings. Our focus is simple: great hospitality, exceptional food and drinks, and creating an experience our guests will remember. Whether joining us for a special occasion, cocktails at the bar, a business dinner or a relaxing meal by the water, we want customers to feel welcome and taken care of here.

BEST SIP+SNACK

BARTACO

Cocktail: Waikiki Watermelon Margarita Since 2011, bartaco has served fresh street food with timeless coastal vibes. General Manager Kevin Forget says the local food and beverage scene is continually evolving, with more energy, variety and creativity than ever before. Like the restaurant itself, the winning margarita is playful, approachable and a little unexpected. Q&A: Kevin Forget, General Manager Tell us about the winning cocktail. The Waikiki Watermelon Margarita combines Libélula Joven tequila, watermelon, coconut milk and lime for a bright, tropical sip inspired by the flavors of Hawaii. Fresh watermelon and lime keep it bright and refreshing, while coconut adds a smooth richness that makes you feel like you should be drinking it with your toes in the sand. Why did the snack pair so well with the cocktail? The bite brought together sweetness from the corn, freshness from the pico, richness from the lobster and crunch from the tortilla, which played nicely against the refreshing watermelon notes in the cocktail. What is the restaurant’s vibe? bartaco is meant to feel like an escape—relaxed, coastal and full of energy without ever feeling overly formal. Our food follows the same philosophy: bold, fresh flavors that are meant to be shared and explored. Is there a secret to bartaco’s success? We want bartaco to feel approachable, energetic and welcoming, somewhere you can stop in for one taco and a margarita and suddenly realize you’ve been there for a couple of hours.

Snack: Corn tortilla chip topped with corn lemongrass purée, lobster and hominy pico de gallo

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BEST SIP+SNACK THE WHEEL

Cocktail: Golden Bloom Snack: Miso-glazed cod The Wheel is a waterfront restaurant featuring American cuisine from local purveyors, in addition to produce from a rooftop garden. The eatery has a Soho-inspired industrial feel and an environment that the manager describes as energetic, social and alive. Q&A: Francesco Ninivaggi, Sales and Events Manager How do you describe the winning cocktail? The Golden Bloom is bright, acidic, sweet, floral, lightly carbonated and seasonal, but most importantly, it’s approachable. My roots are Italian, and as a dual citizen, I wanted to create something that represented a piece of who I am. We made it with vodka, citrus, cantaloupe and a few secret ingredients. We also used Crodino, a non-alcoholic Italian aperitivo I grew up drinking. That nostalgia made it very personal to me. How was the food prepared? The miso-glazed cod was served over forbidden black rice with bok choy, coconut gastrique, chili oil and furikake, created by our one and only Chef Diego. With layers of flavor and texture, it is sweet, savory, spicy, creamy, chewy, buttery and crunchy. The cocktail’s bright acidity and floral sweetness cut through the richness of the cod and coconut, while the carbonation kept everything refreshing. The savory, umami notes from the miso, furikake and rice gave the cocktail something to play against, creating a different experience with every bite and sip. What do locals love most about The Wheel? You’re always greeted with a smile and genuine sense of hospitality. Our music is energetic, our front-of-house team has incredible personality, and we engage with guests. The organization and dedication from Chef Diego, Chef Tim and their entire kitchen team is remarkable. The staff deserves the credit.

HUDSON SOCIAL

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Cocktail: Ménage à Trois Snack: Tuna tartare, guacamole and corn tortillas Hudson Social has a tapas menu that’s made to share, as well as large-plate options, fresh seafood and brick oven pizza. The cuisine is described by staff as New American food done properly, without being overly fussy. Q&A: Miguel Sanchez, Manager The Stamford Spirit Award honors the ingenuity that fuels Stamford’s culinary culture. What does this award mean to your team? A lot because it wasn’t about one drink sitting on a table. David was the one behind the bar, but the recipe testing, the prep, the setup and the hundreds of pours—that’s a group effort. Being singled out in a room full of the best bartenders gave us something to be proud of, and that recognition stays with people. Tell us about the cocktail you served. Ménage à Trois includes Blanco tequila, fresh strawberry, lemon juice, muddled mint and fresh ginger, finished with simple syrup and a cloud of Fee Foam bitters. It’s bright, refreshing, and it has a nice little kick of spice from the ginger. How did the drink complement the food? We paired it with tuna tartare, guacamole and corn tortillas. Cool tuna and creamy avocado let the ginger and mint come through, while the tortilla adds a good crunch and nothing on the plate fights the glass. What is the secret to your success? Consistency and the staff who stay with us. We run the exact same standard whether it’s a massive festival or a slow Tuesday, and a lot of our staff have been with us long enough to know regulars by their name and their drink.

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PEOPLE'S CHOICE THE AMERICANO Cocktails: Golden House and Miss Americana The latest venture from the family-owned group behind Tomato Tomato and Kouzina Taverna, The Americano features modern American cuisine in an elegant 1920s-inspired setting. The restaurant’s approach is to offer great food, cocktails and vibes in a space that feels upscale and very comfortable. Q&A: Peter Valis, Co-Owner Tell us about the two cocktails you served. Golden Hour is Diplomatico Reserva Rum with passion fruit, mango and strawberry purée, and fresh lemon juice. Miss Americana combines Bombay Sapphire Gin with mango nectar, lime, simple and muddled cucumber and mint. Both drinks represent what we like to do at The Americano—create well-balanced cocktails that are refreshing and flavorful without being overly sweet, which makes them very easy to enjoy. What was your favorite part about the Best Bartender event? Being able to come together with our fellow restaurant groups and staff in one place. It’s rare that we all get to be together, and I really enjoy the camaraderie. How has the Stamford food scene grown? I have seen neighboring restaurants and bars really step up their food and cocktail programs in recent years. There’s more attention to quality and creativity, which is wonderful for Stamford and for all of us in the restaurant community.

ÇKA KA QËLLU Cocktails: Don’t Monkey Around and Pear Martini

Q&A: Defrim Rexhepi, General Manager What did you like most about the Best Bartender contest? I liked competing against the other good bartenders. People were excited to try the cocktails and food, and many came to our restaurant after the event. Describe the restaurant’s cuisine. It’s healthy, unique and welcoming food with a lot of meat, cheese, beans and stews. One traditional dish is Fli, a homemade favorite with baked layers of butter and cheese, and it takes four hours to make. How does the atmosphere celebrate your traditions? We welcome guests as family. That’s how we are raised in our country. The restaurant feels like a museum or castle, with traditional dresses, instruments and architectural elements on display. We bring in Albanian bands and dancers, and it’s very festive.

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Çka Ka Qëllu, which translates to “what we happen to have,” serves fresh Albanian and Kosovan dishes in a rustic space with unique artifacts. Each dish is cooked and served in clay pots and the cuisine honors traditions, while adding a unique twist to Mediterranean favorites.

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TOP CONTENDERS TERRA GAUCHA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE Cocktail: Spiced Melon Mist A taste of Southern Brazil, Terra Gaucha offers the ultimate churrasco experience in a setting that is warm, energetic and rooted in tradition. To make each visit special, the restaurant treats every guest like they’re celebrating something, even if it’s just a weekday dinner. Q&A: Rangel Savi, General Manager Describe the cocktail you served. Spiced Melon Mist is a bright, refreshing and lightly spiced cocktail that feels playful at first sip, but then reveals depth as it opens. Ingredients include organic cucumber vodka, Absolut Tabasco Vodka, watermelon, Cointreau and a splash of lime juice with a Tajín rim. It’s balanced, bold and approachable. What food did you pair with the drink? Fire-roasted jalapeño poppers with bacon, shrimp ceviche and sausage. It was a pairing built around harmony—smoke, citrus, herbs and warmth. How has the local food scene grown? The biggest change has been how adventurous diners have become. People are far more willing to explore international flavors and celebrate restaurants that bring authenticity rather than chasing trends.

PUERTO VALLARTA Cocktail: Al Pastor Puerto Vallarta is a welcoming restaurant that takes inspiration from Mexican flavors and traditions while presenting them in a modern way. An advanced cocktail program provides a nice complement.

Q&A: Juan Zuleta, General Manager Describe the cocktail you served. The Al Pastor Cocktail combines the smokiness of mezcal with the sweetness and acidity of pineapple and lime, while jalapeño adds a fresh spicy element. Tajín brings additional citrus, chile and salt to complete the drink. What food did you pair with the drink? We served a crispy wonton taco with black sea bass, prepared with an acevichado-style flavor profile and a salsa macha. The wonton provided texture, while the sea bass and ceviche-inspired preparation brought freshness and acidity. The salsa macha added richness and spice. How has the local food scene grown? Guests have become more knowledgeable and demanding when it comes to quality, presentation, service and the overall dining experience. We see that as positive, because it pushes restaurants like ours to continue improving and raising our standards. S

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Marriage. Children. A business that succeeds beyond expectations. A life that changes anyway. For Gold Coast families, protecting wealth means planning for the people—and possibilities—behind the numbers. by jonat ha n mof f ly (Note: The couple is fictional, as are the specific circumstances; the situations here are illustrative of the many stories we hear from friends and neighbors navigating the quiet life decisions, or lack of decisions, and their consequences. We asked some of our local legal experts for their thoughts.)

he first time Caroline Mercer thinks seriously about a prenuptial agreement, she is standing barefoot in her Darien kitchen, addressing wedding invitations. She is 32. Her fiancé, Daniel, works in corporate marketing. Her Stamford business, which helps companies manage complicated purchasing operations, employs six people. There is a modest inheritance from her grandmother, a mortgage and considerably more ambition than available cash. Daniel asks whether they should call a lawyer. Caroline hears something else: whether they believe this will last. Thirty years later, sitting in the same kitchen discussing how to divide a life neither considers a failure, she will remember that moment differently. The Mercers are fictional. Their questions will feel familiar across our Gold Coast towns. What happens when a business becomes the family’s largest asset? When

one parent steps back professionally? When children inherit opportunities they have not yet learned to manage? When a marriage ends just as retirement comes into view? A substantial balance sheet gives a family choices. Making those choices well requires conversations that money cannot have for you.

BEFORE THE WEDDING Caroline’s first instinct is to protect the company. Daniel’s is to avoid beginning their marriage as opposing parties. A useful conversation makes room for both. They need to discuss existing assets and debts, potential inheritances, the company’s future growth and what financial security might look like if one spouse eventually reduces paid work to raise children. “A prenup should discuss not just what happens with assets that exist at the time of the marriage, but assets that are acquired after the marriage,” says Kelly Scott of Pullman & Comley. “Nothing financial is off limits when

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revealing number may be the one a partner did not know existed.

WHEN THE BUSINESS BEGINS TO GROW

AFTER THE CHILDREN ARRIVE The Mercers have life insurance. They have college savings accounts. They have an increasingly elaborate calendar. Their wills still predate their son. Parenthood turns estate planning into a series of intimate decisions: Who would raise the children, who would manage their money and whether those should be the same person. “If both parents pass suddenly and there are minor children, there will need to be a guardian for the children and a trustee to manage the assets left for the children,” notes Lauren Davies of Pullman & Comley. “These roles can be filled by the same person or can be separated—in

it comes to discussions about a prenup, including what would happen in the event of a death rather than as a result of divorce.” Timing matters. Connecticut’s premarital-agreement law makes voluntariness, fair and reasonable financial disclosure, a reasonable opportunity to consult independent counsel and unconscionability central to enforceability. A document presented amid final wedding preparations invites precisely the pressure couples should avoid. “Don’t wait until right before the wedding to start a prenup,” advises Andrea Fraleigh of Mandelbaum Barrett. “That’s asking for trouble. It’s not enough time to negotiate, and it could subject the agreement to being challenged.” Caroline and Daniel each retain counsel. They discuss how business growth and future family responsibilities should be treated, rather than assuming today’s circumstances will last forever. For readers approaching marriage, the practical assignment is simple: prepare a complete financial inventory before negotiating provisions. Include guarantees, equity awards and ownership restrictions alongside account balances. Discuss what each person believes the agreement should accomplish. The most

By 40, Caroline has moved the company into larger Stamford offices. There are 40 employees, a second owner and clients whose names impress people at dinner. At home, Daniel has reduced his work schedule. Their daughter has arrived; a son follows. His flexibility makes Caroline’s travel possible. Their finances now depend on an enterprise that cannot simply be withdrawn from an account. “Succession is very, very important when it comes to businesses,” says Alessandra of Alessandra Messineo Long, LLC in Riverside. “When relying on that business to pay the bills, that business has to keep running.” Caroline’s company agreement deserves the same attention as its biggest contract. Who may acquire an ownership interest? How would a departing owner’s stake be valued? Where would the money for a buyout come from? There is also the less dramatic question of who can keep things moving during a prolonged absence. A capable management team needs clearly documented authority, not an understanding that Caroline will always answer her phone. The family should examine personal guarantees and the extent to which household wealth is exposed to business obligations. Caroline schedules a meeting involving business counsel, estate counsel and the family’s accountant. Each has understood a portion of her life. Together, they can identify where the plans fail to connect.

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some families the best person for the children to live with is not the best person to make financial decisions. Many people struggle to name guardians and trustees for their children, and many couples disagree over who to name and in what order. Making an intentional decision (even if it is not ideal) is better than not executing your planning. No decision is still a decision—just one which will be left to the Probate Court instead of to you.” The couple revisit guardian nominations, discuss the responsibility with their intended choices and identify alternatives. They review financial powers of attorney and healthcare documents, along with who can locate and use them. Their estate attorney also checks account ownership and beneficiary designations. A will is only part of the plan; assets governed by beneficiary designations or other ownership arrangements require their own review. A trust may help manage money for children over time. Its usefulness depends on its terms, the person administering it and whether the intended assets actually reach it. “When you do a lifetime trust for your kid, you’re creating a prenup for those dollars,” observes Meg Deluca of Cummings & Lockwood. “You have just taken those dollars out of the conversation your kid has to have with their beloved, which is always an awkward conversation. That conversation doesn’t have to happen with respect to their inheritance because you’ve already done it.” Caroline discovers another gap: Daniel knows the company’s biggest clients but cannot locate several essential financial records. They create a secure inventory of advisers, documents, accounts and access procedures. The point is to spare someone they love from becoming a detective during a crisis.

WHEN CHILDREN START ASKING At 14, their daughter asks whether the family is rich. Caroline says they are fortunate. Daniel changes the subject. Neither answer helps much. Children notice houses, holidays and the differences between families long before parents decide they are ready for a conversation about wealth. Silence leaves them to interpret those differences themselves. The Mercers begin with decisions rather than disclosure of the entire balance sheet. Their teenagers manage budgets. They research organizations before recommending family charitable gifts. Summer work brings conversations

about wages, taxes and what things cost. Later, the parents explain that a trust may provide support without giving unrestricted access to every dollar. They also reconsider what they mean by fairness. One child may eventually need help with a disability or caregiving responsibilities; another may want capital for a business. Identical distributions and thoughtful treatment are not always the same thing. Any unequal arrangement deserves careful legal drafting and consideration of how it will be explained. “Children, even up to age 30, should not be getting large sums of money in their own hands,” Meg Deluca notes. “What do you think your 21-year-old’s going to do with $100,000 or $1,000,000, or more? I’ve watched 21-year-olds get into very bad habits when they get a sum of money like that.” For Caroline, this becomes the harder work of wealth: describing what she hopes money will make possible without trying to dictate the lives her children will lead.

WHEN SUCCESS CHANGES THE NUMBERS In her late 40s, Caroline receives an unsolicited approach from a potential investor. The valuation makes her reread the email. Until now, the family has thought about wealth largely as income: what comes in, what goes out, what gets

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“If you think you have a sale of a business or any financial event on the horizon, you need to think about whether you want to get some of those assets out of your name, out of your taxable estate, before that pops. Because once it pops, it's too late.” –Meg DeLuca, Cummings & Lockwood

saved. A meaningful transaction introduces a different question: what should this capital accomplish over several generations? “Looking forward, it’s talking about the more subtle things—like, are your kids good at managing money?” says Meg Deluca. “Do any of them have mental health issues? Do any of them have addiction issues? Is anyone married to someone that you don’t like? Those types of questions.” For families planning in 2026, the federal estate and gift tax basic exclusion is $15 million per individual. Lifetime taxable gifts can use part of that allowance. Connecticut’s estate and gift tax exemption is also $15 million, with a 12 percent estate tax on the taxable excess. Those figures warrant a conversation, not an assumption that planning is finished. Federal use of a deceased spouse’s unused exclusion involves portability rules and an estate tax return; couples should have counsel assess both federal and state treatment. Caroline asks for projections that include business growth, existing gifts, insurance ownership and the possibility that one spouse survives the other for many years. The family’s plan must work beyond the year in which it is signed.

BEFORE SIGNING THE DEAL The investor’s proposal offers Caroline a partial sale

and continued leadership. It also offers several kinds of money: cash at closing, retained equity and additional payments contingent on future performance. These are not interchangeable. “If you think you have a sale of a business or any financial event on the horizon, you need to think about whether you want to get some of those assets out of your name, out of your taxable estate, before that pops. Because once it pops, it’s too late,” says Meg Deluca, adding, “Until you have a term sheet where someone says, ‘I’m going to pay you $20 million for your business’, you have an opportunity to value that business at something much less than the sale price.” Caroline’s advisers examine the transaction’s tax structure, potential claims against the proceeds, restrictions on her future work and what happens if the business misses its targets. Estate and charitable planning belong in the conversation early. A proposed transfer of company interests can become more complicated once a sale is sufficiently advanced; the relevant legal and tax questions should be resolved before commitments are made. At home, Caroline and Daniel calculate what the transaction would actually make available after taxes, expenses and amounts held back. They also test a less comfortable scenario: The retained investment performs poorly. Would they still be able to support their preferred lifestyle, help their children and retire on schedule? Caroline eventually sells a majority interest. She keeps a meaningful stake and remains chief executive. The transaction creates financial breathing room, but the family resists treating every projected dollar as spendable cash.

AFTER THE MONEY ARRIVES For the first time, Caroline has more liquid wealth than she knows what to do with. She is approached about private funds, property partnerships and a friend’s new venture. The pitches sound familiar: capable people, compelling opportunities, limited availability. What she needs first is a plan for the household. She and Daniel separate near-term spending needs from long-term capital. Their investment adviser evaluates diversification, taxes and how much money they can afford to lock away. Their attorneys examine ownership stamfordmag.com

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structures and obligations. An investment can require future contributions even when other assets are falling in value. A portfolio that looks varied on paper may still depend heavily on the same industry or economic conditions. The Mercers also formalize their charitable intentions. Before choosing a donor-advised fund, foundation or direct-giving approach, they discuss desired involvement, administrative work and how their children might participate. They leverage Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to set up a Donor Advised Fund. Giving becomes a regular family conversation rather than a December scramble. Their growing wealth begins to feel useful when they can explain, in ordinary language, what each part is meant to do.

WHEN THE MARRIAGE ENDS At 62, Caroline is contemplating a quieter role at the company. Daniel has already begun a different conversation. There is no sensational revelation. There are years of postponement, separate routines and the recognition that affection has not preserved their marriage. The children are grown. The financial life is deeply intertwined. Connecticut does not require an automatic fifty-fifty property division. Its courts have broad authority to assign property and consider statutory factors, including the marriage’s length, the spouses’ circumstances and their contributions. A separately titled account is not, by itself, a guarantee that an asset is beyond consideration. “One of the most frequent mistakes is forgetting about an asset,” notes Alessandra Messineo Long. “People should go back and check, as a matter of course, how their assets are titled, how their beneficiaries are named, how their contingent beneficiaries are named, and not just say, ‘Oh, well, yeah, I took care of that.’ ” Their lawyers review the prenup and its potential application. They obtain current financial records and address the value and transfer restrictions of Caroline’s remaining business interest. Caroline sees that interest as years of work. Daniel remembers the professional opportunities he declined while raising their children. Both accounts belong in the discussion. Each spouse develops a realistic budget for the next stage. Retirement is approaching; there is less time

to recover from a settlement built around optimistic assumptions.

CHOOSING HOW TO SEPARATE The Mercers want to preserve their privacy and their ability to attend family occasions without making everyone uncomfortable. They consider mediation. A neutral mediator can help structure negotiations, while each spouse’s own lawyer advises on individual rights and the proposed agreement. Collaborative divorce offers another framework, generally involving specially retained counsel committed to an out-of-court process. Neither approach eliminates the need for financial scrutiny. “The first thing to consider when deciding how to separate is whether there is equal bargaining power between both parties,” observes Kelly Scott. “Do both know about the family finances (income, expenses, assets and debts)? Is there a disparate power dynamic? Once you settle on a process, you then want to think about your priorities in a resolution, and where you are (or are not) willing to compromise in order to reach a resolution. For people divorcing later in life, you especially want to consider what income streams will be after retirement and consider the quality of assets (pre-tax vs. post-tax) when planning for your needs.

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REBUILDING THE PLAN

settlement? “Reviewing how your assets are titled and what your beneficiary designations are is critical,” notes Lauren Davies. “The beneficiary designations are binding, and may name a former spouse or children of a former spouse and should be reviewed. It is also paramount to review and update your estate plan with careful attention to the people you have named in the different fiduciary roles (executor, trustee, power of attorney and health care representative).” Caroline coordinates changes with counsel, observing court orders and continuing obligations rather than assuming every designation should immediately be replaced. She reconsiders trustees and executors. Her daughter is financially capable, but Caroline does not automatically want her supervising her brother’s distributions. An independent fiduciary may offer expertise and relieve pressure on their relationship, though responsibilities and fees need examination. The company needs another review, too. Neither child wants to run it. Caroline begins preparing management succession and an eventual exit on that basis. There are personal details to settle: jewelry, photographs, the painting both children remember from the staircase. She records her wishes and discusses the objects whose emotional value exceeds their appraisal. The estate plan begins to describe the family as it actually is. Months later, Caroline hosts dinner in a smaller Darien home. Daniel will host Thanksgiving. Their children have stopped studying every exchange between them. Her finances are still complicated. She remains responsible for employees, investments and people she loves. But she can now describe who would act in an emergency, where the necessary documents are and what her money is intended to support. For any family, that is a useful place to begin: choose one unresolved decision, gather the relevant records and put a conversation on the calendar. A life will keep changing. Its legal arrangements should keep pace. S

The divorce agreement resolves one set of questions. It creates another. Who now makes medical decisions if Caroline cannot? Who manages her finances during incapacity? Do her estate documents still reflect her wishes? Which beneficiary changes are permitted or required under the

This illustrative feature provides general information, not individualized legal, tax or investment advice. Always consult your own legal and financial counsel before making decisions regarding your estate, marriage, or business.

“The beneficiary designations are binding, and may name a former spouse or children of a former spouse and should be reviewed. It is also paramount to review and update your estate plan with careful attention to the people you have named in the different fiduciary roles.” –Lauren Davies, Pullman & Comley

Mediation depends on the ability to negotiate meaningfully. Coercion, concealed assets or a need for court protection may require a different approach. Nor should a couple assume that private negotiations make every eventual court filing confidential. The Mercers focus on after-tax value and cash flow. A house, a retirement account and appreciated securities worth the same amount on a statement may provide very different financial resources. Property transferred incident to divorce generally retains its tax basis; the transfer does not simply erase embedded gains. Many employer retirement-plan divisions require a qualified domestic relations order, while IRAs follow different procedures. Daniel decides against keeping the Darien house. Its familiarity is appealing. Its carrying costs and maintenance responsibilities are less so. Caroline agrees to a financial arrangement she can meet without relying entirely on another successful business sale.

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postscript

ph ot o g r a ph by b ob ca pa zzo

TALKIN’ TURKEY

t birthday parties, Harley wasn’t just a guest of honor—he was determined to be part of the action. In this photo, Riley Klotz chatted with her family’s turkey at their home in Weston, where the bird had a habit of following the kids around at celebrations. Exclusion really ruffled his feathers. Harley’s sociable streak may sound unusual, but wild turkeys have become familiar sights throughout Fairfield County, strutting across lawns, wandering neighborhood streets and occasionally holding up traffic. Their return is a conservation success story: After disappearing from Connecticut for roughly two centuries, wild turkeys were reintroduced in the 1970s and have reclaimed the suburban habitat. These resourceful birds forage for acorns, berries, seeds and insects, making wooded yards and leafy neighborhoods ideal territory. Males are the showboats of the flock, fanning their tails and puffing up to intimidate rivals, or just impress the girls. Harley, it seems, had a different priority: making sure all of the party people spent time with him. S

Send us your Stamford snaps to editor@stamfordmag.com for a chance to win $100. Please write photo submission in the subject line. stamfordmag.com

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