Westport - June/July 2021

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER Lion of the international stage and screen, and Weston neighbor

MAY/JUNE 2021 $5.95

Live Better

Peace at Home Meredith Triscott's secrets for home organization (yes, even with kids!)

Expert guide to the perks of Fairfield County

125 Daily Indulgences

Center Stage Producer Andrew Wilk focuses on Westport

Shine On Jewelry minimalism and lavish layers

Welcome!

The new crop of home-design shops in Westport

From a next-level wine cellar and private aviation to luxe home décor and fashion finds WESTPORTMAG.COM

contents MAY/JUNE 2021 vol. 23 | issue 3

features

52

departments

79

12 EDITOR’S LETTER

by diane talbot sembrot

Our guide to happiness, from small indulgences to once-ina-lifetime splurges

BUZZ Andrew Wilk turns the spotlight on Westport; Sarah Ventura Jewelry; Lou Gehrig Day

Home Smart guilt-free investments, such as decked-out patios and over-the-top studios

SHOP Mother’s Day and Father’s Day finds; Middlemarch explains the beauty of “Neck Mess”

Together Time Upping the family agenda with activity kits, children’s programs, camps and more

DO The young actors in the Mann clan; Longevity fitness assessments; theater classes; Wilton’s flower celebration: Franny’s Farmacy; Emily Liebert picks new books

Things to Do Getting going the luxe and safe way: planes, boats and cars and destinations to visit

42

GO Off-the-beaten-path islands HOME Meredith Triscott’s PRIM; Calico Westport; Verellen and EVB; West Chin’s West Out East

Style Stylish fashion, jewelry and great finds at area boutiques

EAT Basso Restaurant; PopUp Bagels

78

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER

48 MONEY MATTERS

The upside of private aviation

This Weston resident and legend of the international stage and screen deserves a standing ovation. So, at his passing, we do it in words.

87 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 88 POSTSCRIPT by d onna mof f ly

by brig i t t e q uin n top: Christopher Plummer below: West | Out East showroom in Westport

on the c over | meredith triscot t, owner of prim | photo gr aphy by julia d’agostino WESTPORT MAY/JUNE 2021, VOL. 23, NO. 3. WESTPORT (USPS/ISSN 1941-9821) is published bi-monthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to WESTPORT PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. Subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign $44/1 year, $72/2 years. westportmag.com

2

PHOTOGRAPHY: PLUMMER FROM CROSSINGS, 1986 © AARON SPELLING PROD. / COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION; WEST | OUT EAST MARCO PETRINI

17 STATUS REPORT

THE GOOD LIFE

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4876.

STAMFORD| DARI EN| NEW CANAAN| WI LTON| GREENWI CH| RI VERSI DE| NORWALK

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may/june 2021

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

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CELEBRATING THE SCENE STEALERS

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Wine & Dine “Imaginative farm-to-table dining” Town & Country Magazine

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

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Now, more thaN ever, moms Need to dream!

vol. 23 | no. 3 | may/june 2021 editorial

editorial director

Cristin Marandino–cristin.marandino@moffly.com editor: westport, fairfield living, stamford

Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com style director

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Emily Liebert contributing editors

Elizabeth Hole–editor, custom publishing Julee Kaplan–editor, new canaan • darien Amy Vischio– creative director-at-large, athome copy editors

aMazinG l o vinG s t rOnG h appy s e lfless dreamer

Terry Christofferson, Kathryn Satterfield, Scott Thomas contributing writers

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editor’s letter

MAY/JUNE 2021 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT

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12

his house for a one-on-one talk. I suggested a first-person approach for the new piece so that she could add this personal experience to what we already know of his work. What she submitted gave words to my own reaction: admiration, respect and loss.

Our town attracts many creative professionals—some at center stage, others hard at work in the wings. For example, the Westport Library will honor the famous violinist Itzhak Perlman in its upcoming benefit Booked for the Evening. Getting such a big name happened only because of the generosity of local arts producer (and more) Andrew Wilk and filmmaker Andrew Goldberg. (Wilk makes an encore assist to a big program planned for the Westport Country Playhouse.) Don’t miss our story on this impressive Westporter in this issue.

As we return to post-pandemic life, we need artists—all of them—to help us make sense of life’s complexities and even enjoy them. I’m thinking of actors, writers, jewelry designers, furniture and home decor artisans, chefs, gardeners and everyone who uses their talent to add richness and clarity to life. This issue celebrates these creators—and it isn’t like my sneaking a fan photo; rather, it’s an open declaration of gratitude and admiration.

Before you go, take a look at the graphic on the left-hand side of this page. We’re trying something new! Scan this Flowcode to try a different way of connecting with us, your hometown magazine. Stay in touch!

WILLIAM TAUFIC

I

t was not my finest moment, I admit. I was sitting in the pews of the Westport Country Playhouse, waiting for the show to begin. The lights had not yet dimmed and a bit of chatter broke out here and there, but the air had that electricity before the curtain rises.

That’s when I turned my head and saw him: Christopher Plummer. I mean, the Christopher Plummer. I would love to boast that I don’t get star struck, but I do—and that was perfectly clear as I stepped over a few people, abandoning all decorum, and took not one, but two, photos of the legend. He pretended not to notice, but it was his great acting skills, I am sure, and not that I was even slightly stealthy.

For most actors, musicians, politicians, business leaders, writers and other people with a bright shining light upon their names, I typically give a wide berth. As strange as that sounds from an editor, I believe they deserve to be at peace in their hometown—not to be hounded or approached when they are just out and about. But I failed miserably here because this was the man himself. I seized the photo op and just hoped he didn’t mind too much.

I have enjoyed so many of Christopher Plummer’s films, including his most recent ones. His charm sneaks into every role. Villain or hero, he’s frustratingly likeable. When I heard of his passing, I was genuinely shocked.

Not only would I not see new projects from him, but I would no longer spot him at local events. I thought of his family and friends, too. To say he will be missed is far short of the feeling.

I turned to Brigitte Quinn to see if she would write a feature on him. She had interviewed the actor for Westport magazine a few years ago, and she had been welcomed into

diane.sembrot@moffly.com

love

in bloom

is always

Exquisite yellow diamond center stone ring with white diamonds W W W. H C R E I D J E W E L E R S . C O M T . 2 0 3 - 2 5 5 - 0 4 4W 7 W | W 1 5. H 9 1C RPEoI sDtJ E RW o aE dL ,E R F Sa .iCr O f iMe l d , C T 0 6 8 2 4

buzz STATUS REPORT

STAR CATCHER FROM THE ANDREW WILK PRESENTS SPEAKERS TO BOOKED’S ITZHAK PERLMAN, THE WESTPORT LIBRARY’S “ROLODEX GUY” WORKED HARD FOR THOSE NUMBERS by jill johnson mann

INVISION FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY / BY VINCE BUCCI, © TELEVISION ACADEMY

A

ndrew Wilk, a budding music conductor from Summit, New Jersey, had big plans when he headed to NYU (Tisch) to pursue a BFA in Film and Television with a second degree in music. His goal: to direct and produce large-scale television specials featuring major stars. It wasn’t luck that landed him a first job at CBS; it was the fact that he could read a full conductor’s score. During a decade at National Geographic, shows he launched racked up 120 Emmy Awards. At Sony, Wilk worked with megatalents like the Jonas Brothers, John Legend and Beyoncé.

Then he took over PBS’s celebrated Live From Lincoln Center franchise and did exactly what he had set out to do back at NYU. Wilk has created more than 1,000 television shows and has five personal Emmy’s. He also happens to be an incredibly generous guy—and not only with his Rolodex. As he prepared to moderate Booked for the Evening, at which he will interview honoree Itzhak Perlman, we sat down with him to find out how his past meets our new library’s potential and magic is made.

When did you move to Westport and why?

“We moved to Westport in 2006 from McLean, Virginia. I had just accepted a new position as Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment in New York.

We looked for a place within commuting distance to the city and near the water.

Given the ‘artsiness’ of Westport, not to mention the amazing schools, the Westport Country Playhouse and so much more, Westport checked every box.”

above: Andrew Wilk with his Emmy Award for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in 2015.

How did you get involved in the library and when did you join the board?

“When we settled in Westport, I was asked to do some speaking about my varied career. Before Sony, I was Executive Vice President of the National Geographic Channel. I went to crazy indigenous places and managed to catch bizarre local diseases and parasites and live to tell about it! And I’m a guy who didn’t even like camping in the backyard with my older brothers.

I had a blast reliving my years in

the literal jungle, on the concert stage, and meeting a variety of luminaries­—some awesome, some, ehh, not so much. After speaking to a packed group of women in the Westport Library, Bill Harmer, who had just come on as Executive Director, approached me. He was looking to fill the 2017 Malloy presentation. I had just completed the film version of William Finn and James Lapine’s Tony-winning musical Falsettos.

I pitched a Malloy Lecture in the Arts about this landmark musical featuring the authors and one

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

15

of the stars, recent Tony-winner Stephanie J. Block. It was a hit, and Bill Harmer asked me to join the Board of Trustees. I’ve had a terrific time producing some great programming content. As Westporters, we’re very lucky to have such a talented and dedicated staff at the library, and I’m lucky to work with them.”

How did the Andrew Wilk Presents series come about?

“Brainstorming with Bill Harmer over ‘filling the vessel’ that is the amazing new Westport

buzz

Tell us about your most recent guest, Andrew Goldberg, and his film.

“For my very first program at Live From Lincoln Center, I hired Andrew Goldberg to direct a documentary about world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. I love his insightful and highly personal work. Andrew is an Emmy Award–winning documentarian for PBS, ABC News and others, and he just moved to Westport with his family. The film we explored in March is called Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations. It is an extremely powerful film about an ever-present worldwide condition.”

above: Itzhak Perlman is the honoree of Westport Library’s Booked for the Evening event, register: westportlibrary.org.

Let’s talk about Booked for the Evening, coming up on May 13.

“We are thrilled to honor Maestro Itzhak Perlman, one of the most revered violinists of our time.”

Whose idea was it to reach out to Itzhak Perlman?

“Bill Harmer and the Booked committee were looking for an extraordinary honoree for this year’s Booked fundraiser. That said, all the Booked honorees have been extraordinary! I was brainstorming some ideas and happened on Itzhak Perlman. The library seemed excited—I had his home number—so I said I’ll try!”

You don’t have one of those too, do you?

“Ha! No, but did I mention that I wrote the book to a musical at the library? Cross That River debuted at the O’Neil Festival, moved to the Kennedy Center and then to Off-Broadway. Our kids were little and I couldn’t concentrate with two boys, two dogs, two cats,and my beautiful wife, Heather. I would take my MacBook to the library and sit in the corner of a reading room on the first floor and write for hours. The quiet inspiration of our library was instrumental to whatever success I had in writing that musical.”

Tell us about the event and what goes into producing it.

“I’ve produced thousands of events, but mostly for television.

But an event is an event, and I want to make the Westport Library, its patrons and donors, and Itzhak proud. It’s shaping up to be amazing. Again, a good Rolodex helps.”

The kids aren’t so little anymore?

“Christopher graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He’s now an analyst at Guggenheim Partners. Brian is a sophomore at Lehigh, following in his brother’s financial footsteps.

Both graduated from Staples.”

You definitely added flash to that Rolodex while at Lincoln Center. Why did you leave?

“I had a wonderful run there: great projects, wonderful collaborators, amazing artists. I decided to retire after a family vacation to France in 2019. I returned to Lincoln Center and a poor guy sitting behind me on Metro-North had a sudden heart attack and died. I felt so very sorry for him and didn’t want to end up like him. Time to rethink my endgame and make a creative change—one without tracks underneath it.”

above: Heather and Andrew Wilk with their sons, Brian and Christopher

Were they home during the pandemic?

“Yes! It felt like 2015 all over again.

Both my wonderful but messy boys were back at home trying to get their respective lives together, trying to do their respective jobs.

It’s tough getting them to put their dishes in the dishwasher. Oh, these privileged Millennials! We love them unconditionally, but come on people, make your damn bed!”

You have maintained a music career on the side, conducting numerous orchestras and even writing a musical. Do you sleep?

“Sleep is overrated! The first time I met composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, I was at NYU. I was confused about my career trajectory; I wanted to be both a director and a conductor. He simply said, ‘Do it all! Direct the show, then hop down into the pit and drive it home.’ I did and love that advice to this very day. Two skillsets, two careers equals employment and health insurance. I’m a very firm believer in bringing something along with you, preferably a law degree—not kidding.”

Anything to add?

“Yes, I’m sick and tired of wearing a mask, much less two!

Actually, exciting news: PBS approached me about continuing to produce the Stars in Concert series for broadcast. I agreed and immediately thought of the perfect venue: the Westport Country Playhouse, a venue filled with history and star power. Stay tuned!”

westportmag.com

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BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT 5 Ovation-Worthy High Points in Andrew Wilk’s Career 1 // Winning his first Emmy Award at twentyeight for a CBS Young People’s Concert.

2 // Conducting a major revival of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1987 at Paper Mill Playhouse, where he met his future wife, an eighteen-year-old usher.

3 // Making it out alive from Tanzania, Cairo, Costa Rica and elsewhere, while at National Geographic. “This wasn’t just any ecotourism trip,” Wilk says. “This was filmmaking at its most brutal, where everything wanted to poison you or eat you!”

4 // Conducting a special concert with Art Garfunkel and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

5 // Winning his fifth personal Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, starring Emma Thompson and the New York Philharmonic.

PHOTOGRAPHY: PERLMAN BY LISA MARIE MAZZUCCO; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

Library space, I pitched some guest speaker ideas: explorers, archaeologists, Egyptologists, Broadway composers, classical musicians, rock stars… I have a pretty good Rolodex! We began with Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Davie.

When I first saw Mick’s work in 2000, I felt he could set a new direction for the future of journalism. I wanted Mick to be a major voice for the new National Geographic Channel, where I was Executive Producer, and he quickly became a star. Mick is not just an amazing filmmaker, he’s an amazing storyteller and speaker.

Fast-forward to the spring of 2020, Mick was living in Istanbul with his wife and new baby boy.

I persuaded him to fly over. The evening was a great success. You could hear a pin drop! Next came undersea explorer oceanographer and celebrated scientist Dr. Robert Ballard. Then came the pandemic.”

Thank you for welcoming us!

We are proud to be serving the Westport community.

Michele Piskin Executive Director

at Westport

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buzz

left: Designer Sarah Ventura models her onyx teardrop necklace, onyx round earrings and black diamond ring. below: Black diamond necklace

Precisely Obsessed with minimalist jewelry?

Meet soul mate SARAH VENTURA by diane sembrot

S

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS KNIGHT

arah Ventura is the local artist behind a breathtaking collection of bespoke fine jewelry (sarahventura.com). Each piece has fresh take without being so trendy that it is dated within the year. The magic is in the painstaking detail work, from start to finish. Dramatic and glamorous black diamonds are tamed with precise hand cutting, hand setting and restrained design. Expert lapidaries select each piece of black onyx, and then cut, refine and polish it. In all, the stones and 14-karat gold don’t shimmer—they boldly shine. As much as one can wear these luxury pieces to enhance a formal outfit, the sophisticated minimalism of the shapes work to also elevate an everyday outfit. Such is elegance that isn’t showy. For all of the refinement, it’s one of life’s quirks that the artist should also live on a working farm. You’d never know to see her promotional shots, for which she stepped in as model. “Being that my collection was established during the height of Covid, we had to forgo our original in-studio shoot. I ended up modeling the line myself, while expecting, outdoors on our property, with a minimal socially distanced crew,” she says. “It actually turned out to be marvelous! One of the many adjustments made during these trying times.”

We couldn’t wait to learn more. Turn the page to enjoy the inspiration to create the good life. westportmag.com

18

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buzz Is the teardrop shape especially meaningful to you?

“Yes, absolutely! Years ago, when I was expecting our first born, I had collected some of my past jewelry sketches.

I began to play with them. At a certain point, I started isolating the elements that were most significant without any intent of a formal outcome. Formally, the imagery became very pared down. I found the teardrop to be a recurring theme in my work that went back many years. I began re-sketching the teardrop until it reached its current version.

Of course, there is a universal emotional association to the teardrop as a symbol. To me, it is also a harmonious form. It became the main motif in this line from my large black onyx ring, to the black onyx gold pendant.”

How long have you been designing jewelry and how did you start?

“For the past decade I have worked in fashion and luxury goods. I have been sketching and designing jewelry since my teenage years. Looking back at my archives, I have been experimenting with onyx and bronze for close to seven years.

Eventually, that evolved into my current pairing of solid gold and onyx. Over time, as my love of making modern luxury jewelry grew, I developed a distinctive personal aesthetic.

Some of my most significant personal pieces are those that I designed for myself prior to establishing my line.”

What inspired your work?

“At first glance the elements I am currently working with appear to be an ode to the yesteryears of fine Italian handcrafted jewelry. In general, everyday luxury jewelry from around the world has served as a major inspiration.

In my travels, I have always sought out custom-made fine jewelry and vintage mid-century pieces that have the magical something. I love minimalism. I also have a growing collection of organic found objects that has followed me across the globe. These objects have lent their qualities to my work. I love surface, texture, tone and of the artistry of the natural world. This is where the teardrop evolved. I love looking at my pieces in relation to these natural materials.

For example, I will put my black onyx teardrop earrings amongst coral, bark, moss and botanical specimens and look at the relationships. These elements have played a prominent role in the making of my collection.”

westportmag.com

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What have you learned during Covid and what are your plans for summer?

“Our property, which is also my home and studio, has been such a safe haven during these trying times. I have so much gratitude and have had time to meditate on what matters most in life. Covid has, without a doubt, brought our family closer and allowed for quieter more focused times. I have been fortunate to be able to keep working on this line for the past year and bringing it from concept to reality. I plan to keep working and building my bespoke fine jewelry line and other ventures.”

You’re thinking of opening a shop some day?

“Yes! A store is in the making for this coming summer. I am a designer, but also a curator and I see it as an opportunity to highlight art and objects from places near and far. It won’t be just a statement jewelry boutique; I will showcase some of the best contemporary jewelry Connecticut has to offer, but also handcrafted art and functional pieces. There will be more to come!”

For now, people can find your pieces online?

“My line is available exclusively through our website, sarahventura.com.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS KNIGHT

above: Sarah Ventura’s onyx teardrop necklace, onyx teardrop ring and black diamond bracelet below: teardrop earrings

You live on a working farm? Not what one would expect, looking at your jewelry. How long have you done this?

“I do! My husband and I met while living on the Upper East Side and moved into our eighteenth-century farmhouse here a half decade ago. It was an adjustment. Raising alpacas was totally foreign territory to me in the beginning. We have grown into it and the property naturally lent itself to growing our current menagerie. We have goats, chickens, bunnies…the list goes on. Most of our animals are older and we adopted them from rescues. I would say it is more of a retirement resort for animals than a working farm.”

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buzz

Team Effort

The Westport family who helped make June 2 LOU GEHRIG DAY by dave briggs

effort raised money and awareness, but they also wanted something permanent, so in June 2019 they set out to convince all thirty MLB teams to declare June 2 (the day Gehrig died in 1941, less than two years after his diagnosis)

the Mariners made it thirty for thirty. Through eye-gaze technology Patty was able to text Chuck, “You did it!! So proud!”

This is not the end but merely the beginning of the effort for Chuck and the LG4 Day Committee. They hope to raise awareness on this day every year because, according to Chuck, “Awareness leads to funding, funding leads to research and research leads to a cure and treatment.”

As the 5,000 people who are diagnosed with ALS every year are far too familiar with, almost eighty years after Gehrig passed there remains no cure and an average life expectancy of just two to five years.

Incredibly the Haberstrohs consider themselves lucky. “This community raised us up,” Chuck says. “People call all the time asking to help or just come hang out with Mom.” If that gratitude in the face of adversity rings a bell it should.

Gehrig gave what might be the most famous speech in sports history after his diagnosis, declaring: “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

above: The Yankees retired Lou Gehrig’s number 4 in honor of his professional achievements

LG4 Day. It wasn’t easy; the effort spearheaded by Patty’s son Chuck (a former Staples basketball star) together with songwriter Bryan Wayne Galentine and “ALS Warrior” Brian Wallach stalled after getting just seven teams to sign on. However, once they got the Yankees on board, the effort spread like wild fire and eventually

above: Patty Haberstroh used eye-gaze technology to congratulate her son Chuck (r.) for LG4 Day right: Patty surrounded by her family.

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JUNE 2 FOR NO. 4 Lou Gehrig joins Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente as the only players to have a day reserved in their honor across MLB. On June 2 Gehrig became the Yankees’ regular first baseman in 1925, the start of his record 2,130-consecutivegames-played streak; and the day Gehrig passed away in 1941.

This year, on Lou Gehrig Day, look for “4-ALS” logos in ballparks (commemorating Gehrig’s uniform number “4”) and a “Lou Gehrig Day” patch on uniforms and red “4-ALS” wristbands. See more about Lou Gehrig Day and the Lou Gehrig Day Committee at lg4day.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY : BAT BY ADOBESTOCK.COM; FAMILY SHOTS, CONTRIBUTED

O

n June 2 Major League Baseball teams from Yankee Stadium to Dodger Stadium 2,700 miles away will honor the life and legacy of legendary slugger Lou Gehrig on what will forever be Lou Gehrig Day. LG4 Day will also aim to educate the millions of fans about a deadly disease, and it was all made possible by the inspiration and efforts of some of Westport’s finest.

A social worker for twenty years with the Department of Health and Human Services and the wife of Parks & Rec Chair Charlie Haberstroh, Patty was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, in October 2017. The deadly neurodegenerative disease affects the brain and spinal cord. Patty has since lost her ability to speak or even breathe without machine assistance, but she was clear in communicating from the outset that she wanted her four kids to “go out and help people.”

The family helped create the “Pepper Challenge” to raise awareness for ALS and the viral effort spread from Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neill to Kelly Clarkson and Garth Brooks. The

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PRESENT PERFECT M

PICTURE THIS

Chances are, most moms you know have phones filled with snaps of their kids but few that include both mother and child. Let local photographer Kelly Morgan capture the whole family and guarantee a gift she’ll treasure forever.

Kelly Morgan Photography; pricing upon request. kellymorgan-photography.com

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PHOTOGRAPH: KELLY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY @KELLYMORGANPHOTOGRAPHY; OPPOSITE PAGE: CONTRIBUTED

om and Dad deserve something extra-special this year. They’ve always been expert multitaskers, but this year demanded a 24/7 on-call schedule, with some even moonlighting as teachers. The easiest gift you can give them is a break, some alone time away from the chaos of everyday life. But we’ve also gathered thoughtful ideas, small tokens to present as a way to say “thank you” for doing it all.

FOR MOM

FOR DAD

BOOK OF LOVE

TRUNK CLUB

Baby books have come a long way from the overstuffed binders that used to be hidden away in the closet.

This lovely, linen-bound version includes journaling pages, milestone markers and pockets for keepsake mementos; an unexpected gift for any mom-to-be. Growing You; $35.

Terrain, Westport; shopterrain.com

Up dad’s summer style with a new pair of swim shorts. The classic navy and red color combo with Barbour’s iconic beacon print work on or off the beach (and are an instant improvement on the board shorts he’s been holding on to since college). Coastal swim shorts; $90.

Barbour, Westport; barbour.com

MOM ROCKS

She already has your heart, but does she have a necklace to match that’s covered in pavé diamonds? If not, pay a visit to Jamie Camche’s Westport shop to see these for yourself. Choose the color that she loves best, from three gold options or black rhodium with blue diamonds.

Mini folded heart necklace; $550.

JL Rocks, Westport; jlrocks.com

HIT REFRESH

TOP GEAR

A canvas bucket-style hat is an on-trend alternative to the straw hats your mom loves to wear.

This one gets a playful upgrade with Kerri Rosenthal’s painted stripes. Sunny Daze hat in nomad stripes; $148. Kerri Rosenthal, Westport; kerrirosenthal.com

This is Mom’s idea of menu planning, where she gets to choose from services at Westport’s Dream Spa (and leaves the grocery list to someone else).

Make sure she carves out plenty of time posttreatment to check out the new infared sauna and relaxation room.

Dream Spa & Salon, Westport; dreamday spa.com

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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GRILLING GEAR

A lot of thought went into designing these aprons, like acrylic coating to repel water and stains plus a pocket for his phone. But our favorite feature has to be the coordinating smaller size for your littlest sous chef. Time to show your pitmaster protégé how it’s done (medium rare, please).

Grilling adult & kid aprons; starting at $24.95.

Williams Sonoma, Westport; williams-sonoma.com

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Chic Shimmer

The mix-and-max style of MIDDLEMARCH by diane sembrot The prices range, so what defines the collection?

“From $4 to $10,000, so I think what defines the store is a love and passion for jewelry in all its forms.

It’s not so much about price point, but about aesthetics and how it all somehow all works together. The small size of the store forces me to be very selective and to really curate the best of the best. Some of the best things in my mind that we offer are not expensive, rather they are stylish and fun and have a great look. We have a broad range of prices points because we have a brand range of clients from girls in high school to really serious jewelry collectors.”

jewelry on, I am not shy about asking who made it. I get about 100 emails a week from vendors looking to be in Middlemarch, I have friends who will send me contacts for cool jewelry that they see, and I have clients who will connect me to sources; also, my team at Middlemarch is constantly sending me sources. I had a long list of amazing proven vendors from Dovecote that we continue to carry at Middlemarch. I am a chronic insomniac, so I am constantly trolling online at night to find small vendors with very limited distribution to represent.

My favorite part is working with local start-up vendors on developing their collections and watching them grow and become successful. So, I guess the answer to your question is everywhere!”

Where do you find your items?

“I find our vendors from all over, pre-Covid we would attend many of the jewelry and accessory shows in NYC held throughout the year. With Covid, we buy a lot from line sheets—not nearly as much fun—from Zoom appointments.

I am constantly on the hunt for new sources. If I see someone in the grocery store with great

Do you have style rules or rulebreaking for wearing jewelry?

“For me there are no rules—if you love it wear it. I love mixing of metals, eras and, of course, vintage and estate pieces with costume jewelry. I also love clients who will wear serious fine jewelry with $10 items—that to me is real style, and that’s when things get interesting.

Jewelry should be fun!”

left: Model Emma Rojas wearing a mix of classic pearls with semiprecious stones and layers of gold.

What is “neckmess”?

“The most successful neck messes are those that are really random and organic, when we just start pulling things and piling them on.

I love to mix colors of gemstones, combining delicate with bold, mixing high and low, and marrying items that a client already has with new items from the store. Really, the only rule is that the client should love it. We prefer to do private appointments when clients want to create a neckmess, as it’s a bit of a time commitment to get that perfect first mess.”

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top: For a bold look, try adding several tones of semi-precious stones for interest. bottom: Set off a strong print with a multilayered necklace in a muted color.

Upside of Covid?

“The upside of Covid for us as a new store—only three months old at the time we were forced to close—was that it gave us time to get the website up and to get all that merchandise photographed and online. We have about 2,000 items on our site at this time, which is amazing. We have an incredible young local photographer, Maddy Beem, who works full time photographing merchandise and our more editorial images that we use on our site and on our IG. About 90 percent of what we offer online is in the store, and only about 10 percent is online only.”

Why the apothecary section— just items you loved so much?

“Yes, anything that is in the store is something that I love and would buy for myself. Many of the lines we carry in our apothecary were our best sellers from Dovecote. We have a lot of new lines coming this spring, not only in apothecary, but also in many new categories for Middlemarch as well.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADDY BEEM

S

arah Kaplan began as a buyer at Neiman Marcus, then at Barney’s New York, where she bought European and American sportswear and designed their Private Label collection.

Most shoppers in Westport know her for Dovecote, a centrally located home store with a fun mix of furnishings that Sarah found around the world. With the new Middlemarch—named for Kaplan’s appreciation for George Eliot and for the next chapter in her (Kaplan’s) life as a merchant—she brings that same eye for unique pieces that stand apart from the rest yet can be layered to create a storied (and well-traveled) statement. She still selects the pieces from around the world, working with artisans and goldsmiths and finding treasures from private estate jewelry.

The variety means finds for specialoccasion gifts and little self treats.

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doThe Mann Clan

Westport sibling actors find the silver lining—and silver screen—in 2020

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above: Cameron appears with Kate Winslet in the series Mare of Easttown

above: Natalia has a part in A California Christmas, announced a sequel.

Jamie Mann (17)

Cameron Mann (15)

Natalia Mann (11)

SENIOR AT STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

FRESHMAN AT STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL

6TH GRADER AT BEDFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL

I

n fall of 2019, I auditioned for a new sitcom being produced by Netflix. I never would have thought that only three months after that ride on Metro North I would be in Los Angeles working on the project of my dreams.

Country Comfort, a music themed show starring Katharine McPhee (Smash, Waitress, American Idol), was incredible for a lot of reasons, but what stood out was how close the cast became. We began shooting in February of 2020 and shot episode 4, which focuses on my character Brody, first. Luckily we had a week beforehand to bond, because by the time I was in front of the camera (four of them!), we felt like family and that made my induction into TV acting much easier.

It was upsetting to have production shut down mid-March. We finally resumed last September, and even while filming during Covid, the “bubble” we were in brought us closer together. The friendships I formed with my cast mates helped me in developing my character and the relationships he has with his siblings.

Acting can be really exposing, so feeling comfortable enough to “drop in”—as we thespians like to say—is so important.

In watching the show, I’ve fallen in love all over again with my on-screen family. I only hope a second season is announced, and I get to work with my second family again.

n September of 2019 I auditioned for an HBO mini-series called Mare of Easttown, starring Kate Winslet.

It was the first week of school and I had about seven auditions that week; it was crazy. Then I had a callback with the director and writer in Philadelphia and then another callback in New York. Soon after I heard that I booked it!

I was scheduled to film from November through April and had 20 shoot days. An unforgettable moment was being called out of makeup and driven to set because Kate Winslet wanted to meet me. Kate gave me all her attention to make me feel welcome and prepared for the project ahead. Everyone in the cast and crew was so friendly and nice. A specific moment I remember is when a bunch of people kept asking me if I wanted handwarmers on one of the cold late-night shoots we had.

It really showed me how much the crew wanted to make sure everyone was happy and comfortable.

When Covid hit, the production was shut down from mid-March until late September. I grew quite a bit so it will be interesting to see if people notice! The shooting was not chronological so we had scenes from the early episodes that were shot a year apart. It is a very suspenseful murder mystery. I’m excited for people to see how it all turns out!

Ten episodes of COUNTRY COMFORT are available now on Netflix.

MARE OF EASTTOWN, a seven-episode mini-series, began airing on HBO Max on April 18. westportmag.com

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had such a great time shooting the movie A California Christmas this past summer. Even with all the Covid testing and safety measures, it was so much fun and the cast and crew were the best! I loved everyone: the director, Shaun Piccinino; the producer, Ali Afshar (he acts in the movie too and is hysterical); the hair and makeup people; of course Lauren Swickard, who plays my older sister, and Josh Swickard, the ranch hand (they are married in real life), and my mom, Amanda Detmer. Even though I was the only kid, we all still became great friends. Even learning lines was fun. And because the script was written so well (Lauren, the star, was also the writer!), it was so easy to memorize. I also loved the yummy food on set.

Spending time in Petaluma, California, was a blast. I got to horse ride and go to San Francisco. And it was all because of acting—it is so much fun. The movie came out in December and went to #1 on Netflix really quickly, and after about a week at #1 around the world, they announced a sequel. I’m so excited for the second movie and to be back with the cast and crew again. In the meantime, Lauren and Josh just had a baby. I’m really happy for them. They are the nicest people!

A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS is available now on Netflix.

HEADSHOTS BY CURTIS & CORT PHOTOGRAPHY; COUNTRY COMFORT COURTESY NETFLIX

above: Jamie was cast in Country Comfort, which began shooting this past winter.

left: The DEXA scan looks at body composition middle: The RMR test reveals metabolism right: Test your cardio with the V02 max test.

FIT TO BE TRIED WESTPORT’S NEW WELLNESS CENTER, LONGEVITY, TALKS TOTAL FITNESS by joey macari

ALL IMAGES CONTRIBUTED

W

hen your life revolves around little ones or a busy work schedule or a seemingly infinite number of errands to run, your personal health and wellness is easily overlooked. However, knowing where you are, and where you’d like to go in terms of health-and-fitness goals, has never been more crucial than right now. Longevity (longevitywestport.com), powered by DexaFit, on the Post Road, aims to help its clients better understand their body and prioritize their long-term health.

Using cutting-edge medical-grade technology and predictive analysis, the wellness center provides answers to your previously ambiguous health concerns.

Whether you are trying to push yourself harder in your active life, looking to adopt a healthier nutrition plan, or ready to see how your body reacts to caloric and metabolic input, Longevity helps you actualize your health potential.

Georgette Yacoub, the manager at Longevity (and a contributing writer for Moffly Media), gives insight on some of the services the center offers to build a better relationship between your body and its unique needs.

SCAN IT

for anyone who is looking to understand their metabolism better.

It will tell you how many calories you burn a day, if you burn more carbs or fat at rest and even if you have a slow or fast metabolism. If you have any fat-loss goals, this test is a must.”

“The DEXA scan is our most popular service, and it’s the most accurate way to get a true sense of your body composition.

It’s often used by research and sports labs, but we wanted to take it out of a clinical setting and make it more accessible.

The DEXA helps people understand what their body-fat percentage is, how much muscle mass they have and how strong their bones are. The test can even analyze your visceral fat, a specific type of fat that is associated with many different metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.”

BREATHE IT “The VO2 max test pinpoints your precise fitness level. It’s a great way for everyone, from athletes to regular, healthconscious folks, to assess how fit they are and what their endurance potential looks like. It’s the same system used by the NFL Combine, but there are different levels so anyone can do it.”

TEST IT “The RMR test is incredibly useful

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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ACT ON IT In a nutshell, the DEXA tests your body composition, RMR tests your metabolism, and V02 max tests your cardiovascular fitness. “All this stuff sounds so complicated and clinical—and that data itself is—but if you have goals around your body, health and longevity, these tests give you the information you need to create an effective plan.

The best part is we actually sit down with you, explain all the results, talk about your goals and provide individualized feedback on your lifestyle and nutrition so you’re walking out empowered and with a plan.” Longevity works with clients on the right price and plan.

PUT IT TO THE TEST

Longevity provides medical-grade data through three tests:

1. DEXA Body fat percentage, muscle mass, and bone density

2. RMR Calories/day, more carbs or fats, slow or fast metabolism

3. V02 MAX Heart health and fitness level —results are uploaded to an app and generate a “Longevity score," which you use to improve.

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Class Act

YOUNG PERFORMERS refine their skills despite Covid restrictions

above: Middle School Saturday morning Broadway Acting and Dance Class pick-up, complete with the family dogs, with Theater Camp 4 Kids Broadway Academy.

Laura Pendergast (c.) held the class at Bedford Square in Westport during Covid restrictions.

performing-arts driven Westport—especially David Waldman [co-developer of Bedford Square]—we have been able to be outside the entire semester since September with these very inspiring, wonderful young actors who have not let anything get in the way of pursuing their art form.”

So the young artists have been learning new skills in the great outdoors from late summer and throughout the winter. “The actors are from ages six to high school and they are really troopers,” she says. “Completely devoted to learning and even performing their Broadway Dance Recitals and all of their scene studies outside downtown at Bedford Square.”

The academy also got a boost from Stevi Van Meter, a former Rockette, who teaches on Saturday mornings. “Every Saturday we are out there tapping away in the parking lot of Bedford Square,” Laura says. “It has been so much fun and quite a challenge to keep our school open outside for this crazy time in which we live, but the children and parents and teachers all do it with zest and tons of fun laughing at the challenge.”

Up next: The fifth-grade class will perform Annie downtown at 12 Elm St. on June 4–6.

Get ready to cheer, "Bravo!"

above: Professional on-camera acting class for film and television—no place like a public area for the students to practice and refine their presentation skills.

above: The fifth-grade Broadway Acting, Dance and Voice class had Halloween fun downtown.

Places, Everybody! Outdoor summer camps start when the Westport Public school is not is session—the first one-week camp is scheduled for June and another camp follows in late August, the week before it’s back-to-school time.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: TOP BY ALLI DIVINCENZO; OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

I

have always been able to hold my classes, recitals and their play performance inside at Greens Farms Congregational Church or Saugatuck Congregational Church,” says Laura Curley Pendergast of her performing-arts school, THEATER CAMP 4 KIDS BROADWAY ACADEMY (theatercamp4kidsbroadwayacademy.com), in Westport. “But both churches have closed their doors due to Covid restrictions. I have had the same students for the last five years and have watched them grow each year and create an ensemble acting group. The kids were heartbroken when they learned that we would not be able to continue their weekly classes all year.”

So what do you do when you’re running a full performing-arts school all year, each week, every day after school and Saturday mornings?

As the theater maxim goes: The show must go on! And so Pendergast found a way to keep things going throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and its multiple restrictions. “I was trying to find a place where we could maintain our school classes without putting our students at risk,” she continues, adding that she found help within the community. “Thanks to the generous nature of our kind-hearted and

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left: The Wilton Garden Club and volunteers helped plant the bulbs. middle: The hallmark of spring: daffodils right: The club celebrates 100 years with a plant sale.

Pure Gold

T

he WILTON GARDEN CLUB (wiltongardenclub.org) celebrates a huge anniversary this year: 100. And its members planned to celebrate. They launched a “Golden Miles” initiative with help from Wilton Kiwanis. “This spring, Wilton’s residents will be treated to a very special sight around town— large swaths of golden daffodils popping out of the ground along the town’s roadways,” says Sherry Johnson, publicity chair for the club.

The blooms are meant to mark the beginning of the club’s centennial celebration. “Dubbed the ‘Golden Miles’ program, the daffodils are a gift to the town from the club to commemorate its 100th anniversary. As part of its continuing beautification efforts, the club plans to enlist the help of the town’s residents, businesses and local organizations to plant successive waves of daffodils each year,” she notes. The goal is to plant 15,000 bulbs over the next five years.

Nancy Greeley, the club’s president says plans are well on its way. “We had just started planning for our centennial celebration last year when the

pandemic hit,” she said. “We were all so down, but then the daffodils started blooming and we had this epiphany of how we could cheer people up and beautify the town at the same time.”

The club decided to plant 3,500 daffodil bulbs around town that fall.

The project was inspired by the ongoing “Daffodil Project” in New York City after 9/11 and “Golden Roads” around South Salem, New

It’s remarkable to think that the country had just endured the Spanish Flu back when our club was founded in 1921, and now here we are today in the midst of another pandemic. It makes me realize just how much our members today have in common with our club’s founders.

We all just try to do a little good and find some joy in it along the way.

–Nancy Greeley

by diane sembrot

York, by the Lewisboro Garden Club. Wilton Garden Club’s “Golden Miles” hopes to also become a legacy for the club as it brings joy to the community over the years.

“We wanted to keep our project a secret to surprise the community this spring, but word leaked out and the Kiwanis immediately offered to help out,” Greeley says. “Not only did they support the project financially so that we could buy bulbs, but they also rounded up a team of the hardest working people I’ve ever seen. Together we planted 1,000 bulbs at the Historical Society and had a great time planting together. It was a wonderful example of two service-based organizations coming together to better the community.”

As for spring, she says she hopes the daffodils beautiful color will attract additional organizations and individuals to join in and help reach the goal of 15,000 bulbs. “We want to inspire cooperation,” she says, “and demonstrate by example the positive power of working together to benefit our community.”

FOR MOM! Mother's Day Weekend Plant Sale at Wilton Town Green: May 7 (noon–6 p.m.) and May 8 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) westportmag.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY: PLANTING DAFFODILS BY ALLISON SANDERS; DAFFODILS BY SUZANNE KNUTSON; PLANTS, ADOBE STOCK / RONSTIK

Daffodils and more are blooming this spring

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SEED TO SHELF CBD’S RISE IN THE SUBURBS b y g e o r g e t t e y a c o u b

F

ranny’s Farmacy was the first business to do a storefront ribbon cutting in Westport since the start of the pandemic. Knowing the risk of opening a brick-and-mortar store—when online sales were soaring and storefronts were closing at unprecedented rates— Griff Conti still felt sure about his new endeavor.

“We came at a time that was very unconventional and it brought out a lot in people— sleep issues, pain, anxiety— that they would go to any length to seek relief,” says Conti, owner and operator of Franny’s Farmacy Westport. “I think an overwhelming amount of people that we saw may not have been open or ready to try CBD if they weren’t going through what they were going through due to the pandemic. It was the right place, right time, and right category.”

wall is almost entirely covered in a photo of Franny Tacy’s hemp farm in North Carolina, where all Franny’s products are sourced.

(Tacy, owner of Franny’s Farmacy, is the first female hemp farmer in that state in over seventy-five years.) The left side is lined with beautiful custom cabinetry, where shoppers can get up-close and personal with the products. In the center is the bud bar where shoppers can learn more about the flowers, the strains and the different uses.

CBD is cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound found in the stems, leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main psychoactive compound of cannabis), CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid and does not cause a high.

Franny’s cannot make claims as to whether CBD can help with specific ailments, but, anecdotally, the staff has found that the products alleviate the symptoms of conditions like inflammation, stress and anxiety.

As far as dosage, Conti says the standard daily dosage for an adult is 10 to 15mg. “It takes ten to fourteen days of consistently taking the same dose to get a sense of how it’s helping you. Creating a baseline is important because it goes directly into receptors and you need to continue to replenish the receptors to get the full effect.”

The most direct way to take CBD is via suppository which, for obvious reasons, isn’t very popular. Second is inhalation because it breaks the blood-brain

Franny’s Farmacy offers a full line of hemp-derived products, ranging from tinctures to topicals to edibles. They currently have over sixty products that include CBD-infused coffee and even calming pet treats.

The space is open and sun-drenched and feels like an extension of home. The right

CONTRIBUTED

above: Griff Conti, owner and operator of the Westport location and investor in the parent franchise company below: The upscale take on CBD products is on full display at Franny’s Farmacy in downtown Westport.

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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barrier. Third is sublingually (under the tongue) because it bypasses the digestive system.

Fourth is by eating it, which is recommended for sleeping because it stays in your digestive tract longer and, therefore, has a longer half-life (the time required for its concentration to decrease to half of the starting amount). Last is topically, which is typically used for localized aches and pains.

With the storefront, Conti’s hope is to educate and give access to what he believes are the plethora of health and wellness benefits of CBD products. “I’ve worked around it long enough to know that we are beyond the point of no return,” he says. “It works, it’s safe, and we’re here to educate and give access to it for those reasons.” below: CBD newbie? The store has experts on hand to help, depending on what issues are being addressed.

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It's Covered

Women searching for happiness, murder mysteries and 100 haikus to cure your breakup blues—THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE on this list. So brush off your beach bags and savor the sun with one of these sizzling page-turners. by emily liebert

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rom the queen of the beach read and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes a summer saga that takes readers from the manicured Main Line of Philadelphia to the wild landscape of the Outer Cape. Protagonist Daisy Shoemaker can’t sleep.

She should be happy.

Between her flourishing cooking business, extensive volunteer work and beautiful home in the suburbs, what could be so bad? Just a few things, such as her challenging teenage daughter, her distant husband and her long list of acquaintances, who aren’t real friends. She’s also receiving emails meant for Diana Starling, whose email address is just one punctuation mark away from her own. Yet their lives are drastically different. Is their chance connection an accident? This sharply observed novel is about facing our past and future and the power of female friendship.

F*CK YOU HAIKU: LITTLE BREAKUP POEMS TO HELP YOU VENT, HEAL, AND MOVE ON

BY KRISTINA GRISH

W

hat do you do when your husband unexpectedly announces that your marriage is over and you’re desperate to process all of the messy and intense feelings you’re experiencing? If you’re Westport’s own Kristina Grish, a seasoned writer and columnist, you turn your pain into poetry by penning 100 breakup haikus inspired by past relationships and universal wisdom.

And what results is a relatable and, at times, irreverent collection—in other words, the perfect antidote for a broken heart. Snag a copy for yourself, a family member or a friend so you can finally say “f*ck you” to that special someone and “love you” to yourself.

DEATH IN THE FAMILY AND THE DEAD SEASON

BY TESSA WEGERT

DON’T MAKE ME TURN THIS LIFE AROUND

BY CAMILLE PAGÁN

T

hirteen years ago, doctors told Libby Ross-Velasquez she wasn’t going to survive cancer. Yet, even though she’s beaten the odds, she doesn’t feel alive inside. Maybe because her father’s death weighs on her. Her husband, Shiloh, acts distant. And one of their daughters has serious health concerns. Libby knows she needs to do something to breathe life back into her family, so she books a vacation for all of them to the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, where she and Shiloh fell in love and, also, where she fought her cancer diagnosis. But when a tropical storm unexpectedly hits, she questions her decision.

Still, the worst disaster they’ve faced may be the best thing that ever happened to them. If they can endure it…

he only thing better than one chilling thriller is two chilling thrillers! And that’s exactly what Darien author Tessa Wegert delivers with the debut and sophomore books in her new mystery series, primarily based in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York, where America’s elite summered in the latenineteenth century. The stories follow Senior Investigator Shana Merchant who fled her NYC detective job to pursue serial killer Blake Bram, as she entangles herself in missing persons cases and murders. Prepare to stay up way past your bedtime glued to these addictive, fast-paced novels.

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T

THE NEWCOMER

BY MARY KAY ANDREWS

N

ew York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews has done it again with this summer’s hottest read.

When Letty Carnahan discovers her sister Tanya dead on the floor of her NYC townhouse, she’s positive she knows who did it: Tanya’s shady ex, Evan Wingfield, a real estate entrepreneur.

How? Because of Tanya’s warnings: “If anything bad happens to me, it’s Evan. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run.

Promise me.” So Letty does just that. She hits the road with her fouryear-old niece in an attempt to out run the law (and Evan). All she has is what Tanya left her: a bag of cash, a diamond ring and an old magazine story about The Murmuring Surf Motel in Florida, where she checks in. Letty’s mission is to heal Maya’s pain and uncover the key to her past, while avoiding the local police detective. Will she find the truth or will danger close in on her first?

CONTRIBUTED

THAT SUMMER

BY JENNIFER WEINER

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go

by kim-marie evans

ISLAND TREASURES GORGEOUS ISLANDS THAT WE’RE PRETTY SURE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

T

here is no need to travel across the globe in search of wild and windswept islands. South Carolina’s fabled Sea Islands are secrets hiding in plain sight. When the New York Times wrote a story in 1983 about South Carolina’s “Secret Isles,” locals were so protective they (unsuccessfully) begged the author not to publish it. Though Hilton Head and Kiawah are regularly featured in glossy travel magazines, smaller islands like DAUFUSKIE, EDISTO and ST. PHILLIPS have managed to elude the spotlight—until now.

STEEPED IN HISTORY After the Civil War, the plantation owners who had been growing cotton on Daufuskie abandoned the land and “gave” it to the freed slaves. With little access to the mainland, the descendants of those slaves kept the Gullah traditions alive, making it a wonderful place to experience this rich culture.

A day trip to Daufuskie Island—a short boat ride just a mile from Hilton westportmag.com

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Head—cuts through hundreds of years of history. Visitors find more than just museums. They find a preserved way of life—vibrant churches, century-old, bluewindowed oyster houses and deviled crabs for sale on front porches.

While there are three Hilton-Head style developments on Daufuskie Island (which counts John Mellencamp as a resident), much of the island is a historic district. Homes, churches, schools and

graveyards appear as they might have 100 years ago. Sallie Ann Robinson is a sixthgeneration Gullah who fights to preserve and share Daufuskie’s history for years. Her efforts caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey, or "Miss O" as Sallie Ann calls her, who featured Sallie Ann in a story in O, The Oprah Magazine.

If you can’t make it to Daufuskie in person, pick up her latest cookbook, Sallie Ann Robinson's Kitchen:

COURTESY OF SCPRT

South Carolina's Sea Islands offer the ultimate getaway for rest and relaxation (and, of course, the freshest seafood).

Food and Family Lore from the Lowcountry.

She offers a variety of dishes passed down through generations of Gullah families, from Down-Home Red Tada Sallet to Robinson's Grandmomma's Seafood Gumbo. “Nobody ever wrote anything down when they cooked.

Recipes were passed down simply from observing and then doing,” she says. daufuskieisland.com

TOP PHOTO BY CHRIS M. ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY, INC.; BOTTOM TWO, HAIG POINT

CASTAWAY FOR A DAY Take the road less traveled, literally, to Edisto Island, where you won’t find a crowd, a hotel or even a traffic light. Around a hundred years ago, before there was a bridge to Edisto, people came anyway.

They drove over the marsh and the oyster beds from Charleston or Savannah at low tide to gain access. Back then, the island was used primarily as a retreat with homes hobbled together for weekend getaways. Day-trippers can stretch out on the mile and a half of pristine state park beach or hike its hauntingly majestic boneyard beach.

Boneyard beaches are sea forests that have been created from erosion, leaving an otherworldly landscape of tree skeletons rising from the sand. One of the most dramatic is at Botany Bay on Edisto.

Your Instagram will thank me. edistobeach.com

A BILLIONAIRE’S HIDEAWAY Until three years ago, St. Phillips Island was the exclusive beach retreat of Ted Turner’s family for forty years. The famed conservationist and billionaire bought this

(from top) Boneyard Beach on St. Phillips Island • Leisure time at Haig Point on Daufuskie Island • Calibogue Club restaurant on Daufuskie Island

little island, accessible only by boat near Hilton Head, in 1979. Outside of the five-bedroom home he built, he left a very light footprint on this sleepy island. In 2018 he sold the island to the state of South Carolina.

South Carolina now rents the house out for $12,000 for a five-night stay (it’s the only rental option). Don’t want any day-trippers ruining your beach naps? Up the rental to $20,000 for five nights; and as long as you book three months in advance, the state will cancel all incoming boat tours.

During your stay you’ll have access to bicycles, kayaks, golf carts to get you to the beach, a fishing pier and miles of hiking trails through the ancient dunes. A pool table, game room, flatscreen televisions, and a hammock on a large, screened porch are among the home’s amenities.

To book, or for more information, contact the St. Phillips Island Event Coordinator at mgonzalez@scprt.com or 803-904-6220.

home

by diane sembrot

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e’re organized around the house— mostly. We may occasionally round the corners, like not labeling cereal containers, but why can’t we find our favorite t-shirt, shoes, earbuds, and why are we always asking, “Where’s that pair of scissors, those bills, the soccer schedule?” This is because most of us are not like Meredith Triscott, founder of PRIM, and organization service with the tag line “Edit. Organize. Beautify.” This organization artist balances her eye for the details and a view of the big picture by calling on her experience as a bookings editor for such magazines as Elle and Seventeen, for which she planned, produced and executed cover shoots and fashion stories.

Now the Westporter helps others learn to enjoy life more with organization systems and lifestreamlining habits. Her clients once again find what they’re looking for, enjoy what they have more and appreciate the beauty of simplicity.

Here are the essentials of our conversation.

above: Meredith Triscott in her well-organized Westport home

Happy Place The stylish life with MEREDITH TRISCOTT

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What’s the focus of what you do now?

“Styled organization. Function and beauty.

I’ve found that people want organization, yes, but they want it to reflect who they are and also look really great. If you like the way something looks, you are going to be much more motivated to keep it in order. I’m by no means a trained designer, but half of my focus is making sure everything we are doing flows aesthetically. Creating a balanced, beautiful space for our clients is always my end goal.

We also focus a lot on creating sustainable systems for clients. I’m the mom of three boys.

My house is never perfect. Ever. But when it’s time to tidy up, it’s really not bad because there is a place for everything.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA D'AGOSTINO

Your business is called PRIM. How did that name come about?

“I knew I wanted the name to center around the concept of order, tidy, and sophistication.

When I was brainstorming names for my business, my good friend Michelle Cordiero Grant—the brains behind the super successful brand Lively—gave me the sage advice that the best brand names are short and sweet, easy to remember. I kept trying out French words, play on words, nothing was sticking. Then, prim and proper came to mind. It was perfect!

PRIM communicated exactly what I wanted it to. Plus, it was tongue n’ cheek, because I’m a total girly girl, dying to be prim and proper in my everyday life, but I live with three boys! I still love the name and never looked back once from that aha moment.”

left: Organization musts include bins, shelves and labels

below, top: PRIM brings order to the hardest working room in the house— the kitchen—with containers. below, bottom: No more hunting in the closet—keep things off the floor and grouped.

What are the first few things you notice or ask when taking on a new client?

“I really love the personal aspect of my business and getting to know my clients on a level that lets me understand their daily life and what is important to them. I want to know about them, their family, their stage in life. How do they use their home? What is frustrating them right now? What can we do to make this easier and functional for them and their family? There is no one right way to organize your space. My goal is to personalize it so that it works for their way of living. And when I come into their home, I notice style: Is it modern? Is it traditional? Is it coastal? Will they want something with edge? Seeing and understanding these things really helps me to create a system that is both functional and beautiful.”

Finally, how are you living the good life in Westport?

“We are so lucky to have amazing stores in Westport! I really find so much inspiration throughout our downtown shopping area and all of the amazing home stores throughout our fabulous town. We’ve lived in Westport going on three years now, and love it here.

I’m a Saugatuck mom to three little boys, so I totally get how hard it has been this year—and still is—for parents to keep their homes in order. People always ask if I live in a museum— remember that Instagram is part aspiration, part reality. Oftentimes when we are shooting something new for content, right out of the shot is a pile of something that needs to be worked on. It’s not about perfection—it’s about having a system that will work.”

What prepared you for this new business?

“In my ‘past life’ I was a bookings editor at several publications in my twenties, like Elle and Seventeen. The bookings role varies from title to title, but it centers around organizing and coordinating photo shoots and all of their moving parts—and those parts tend to move—a lot. Booking models, glam teams, celebrity requests, travel logistics, scouting locations, casting, negotiating. But, really, it all centered around being organized and being able to troubleshoot with ease. And I worked at Anthropologie in NYC when I was a starving editor to make ends meet—likely where I learned my love of sorting and putting things into their proper place. Also, I’m a mom of three wild little boys; plus we moved six times in five years when I was having our babies. I’ve seen it all—nothing scares me.”

MEREDITH’S DESIGN TIPS SPRING STYLE: Blue and white “You can never go wrong with blue and white in my book.

It's timeless.”

Your website is beautiful—clean and bright and organized. Did you build it?

“Thank you! Imagery was my highest priority, as was creating a beautiful website. Creating images and photography was a huge part of my career, so I focused on creating a look that felt editorial and aspirational, but at the same time relatable. I kept seeing so many muted colors on Instagram, and I thought, Let’s wake up! Let’s be bright! I wanted it to feel happy, energizing and engaging. To encourage and inspire others, and I think bright, clean and colorful really draws people in. I worked with a very talented web designer who helped me put my vision into reality, to create a logo that felt like me. Tech is not my strongest point, so I invested in having a pro help me there.

Otherwise, I don’t think you would be calling it organized.”

ORGANIZATION ESSENTIAL: Symmetry “The eye is going to feel less overwhelmed if there is some type of uniformity to the containers or baskets that you pick. That doesn’t mean they need to be exactly the same, but they do need to be in the same ‘family.’ ”

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FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Containers in Containers “There is something about having boundaries that really helps keep items in order, mentally and physically. So, if we have a large bin that is filled with, say, art supplies, I use other containers that work together to create a home for each section: paints, sponges, art brushes, markers. The feedback from my clients is that it makes it so easy to put things away and stays in order, which means we did our job.”

home The kickoff of the new home store, Calico right: The store includes a design studio for working through details of creative projects.

PRO TIP

Print It

CALICO fabrics and design studio comes to Westport

A

new business opening during a pandemic is welcome news—and it’s brave. Owning and running a business these days is no small feat. But this one is focused on the same thing we’re all obsessing over: home. Calico opened recently at 224 Post Road East, Westport. It’s a one-stop shop for custom decorating: a design studio with fourteen-foot ceilings and an open layout arranged in three areas—fabrics and trims, room settings and a customercentered design space. Have an idea of what you want to do? This is the workspace to spread out and work through the details of fabric, drapes, furniture, wallpaper, etc.

Bring on the layers and textures, as you’ll find design help, too. The design studio includes counterheight tables, stools and outlets for tablets and phones; you bring the imagination. Calico even has iPads and printed materials to help you visualize plans throughout the design process.

You may wonder if you have heard of Calico. The answer is probably yes. It started as Calico Corners, a country store in 1948 in lovely Bedford Village, New York. It specialized in designer fabrics, which one typically had to get through an interior designer or at a showroom.

Today, Calico has more than sixty stores and an online business (calicocorners.com)— and claims the title of largest specialty retailer of decorative

fabrics in the country, offering thousands of designer fabrics. It also offers custom and quick-ship window treatments, Hunter Douglas blinds and shades, bedding, furniture, slipcover and reupholstery, pillows and cushions.

Not sure what you want? Not to worry, because Calico offers free in-store and in-home professional design consultation.

The company headquarters are in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

One of our favorite ways to elevate an outdoor space is to create vertical height with drapery panels.

Outdoor drapes instantly draw the eye upward and make a space feel pulled together and refined.

Supriya Himatsingka, VP, Brand & Design

left: Jane Peck, Westport store manager; Supriya Himatsingka, VP, Brand & Design; State Senator Will Haskell; Amitabh Himatsingka, president & CEO; Randy Herbertson, executive director of Westport Downtown Merchant's Association westportmag.com

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IMAGES COURTESY OF CALICO CORNERS; FILM FRAME © THOMAS PAJOT - STOCK.COADOBE.COM

EYES UP

above: A contemporary Scandinavian flat weave with a 1970s Charles Hollis Jones coffee table, a Theo Club Swivel Chair and Lucky Sofa (both by Verellen) as well as an Umage “A Conversation Piece” Chair from Denmark and an Umage Treasures Cabinet. A brass Arredoluce Easel Lamp by Angelo Lelli holds a 1950s Alan Fontaine photograph.

The 1780s Gustavian mirror depicts Eros being pulled in a chariot. right: Refreshing Verellen furniture and decor for a new look at home.

HOME AGAIN

EVB A N D VE RE L L E N B R I N G I N F R E S H C O L O R S T H I S S P R I N G

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO

S

pring brings renewal, freshness and uplifting pops of color, and homeowners can welcome those qualities indoors with design upgrades. For expert help and beautiful finds, a loyal following heads to Eleish Van Breems Home (evbantiques.com), a small shop by the train station, for its selection of lighting, rugs, Gustavian antiques and furniture by midcentury Scandinavian design masters.

This season brings its own stylish change. EVB couldn’t resist collaborating, and despite the challenges of running a small business during a pandemic, recently opened the first Verellen (verellen.biz) free-standing shop in Connecticut. Its line of furniture and accessories is Belgian-inspired and American-made.

“Tom and Sabine Verellen’s special aesthetic and style instantly appealed to our Scandinavian design sensibilities,” noted Edie Van Breems.

“Verellen’s strict attention to detail and modern yet timeless designs have always spoken to us and exude a livable elegance that resonates with our mission at Eleish Van Breems.”

The 2,500-square-foot showroom carries Verellen sofas and chairs upholstered in Belgian linens, handcrafted walnut coffee and dining tables, chairs and more. “From floor models, stock items, made-to-order upholstery and case goods to custom projects, our confidence in their team is huge,” noted Verellen.

The space gives designers and clients a chance to consider the line in a setting. All of the design possibilities lead to coziness.

center: Verellen's Valencia and Camden tables and The Lido Outdoor Swivel Chair by Lee upholstered in Josef Frank Citrus Garden by Schumacher. The Trident floor lamp features brushed brass and wrapped white leather by Avantgarden for Eleish Van Breems. below: A Swedish Rococo Mirror with a Verellen Basa Dining Table set midcentury Danish and Finnish pieces and paired with Verellen Paola Wing Chairs made with walnut bases and hand-hammered iron legs

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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home

NY to Westport Small-sized design showroom with BIG STYLE opens in town

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estport’s style caught the attention of NYC’s high-end WEST CHIN ARCHITECTS & INTERIOR DESIGNERS (wcarchitect .com), which just renovated its East Hampton showroom and opened a new showroom in New York City and in Westport. Called WEST | OUT EAST (westouteast.com), each is a local resource for design-forward finds, such as indoor and outdoor furniture, closets and storage systems, lighting, rugs and accessories. Also, each is outfitted like a home that suits the area. The NYC location, in the Flatiron District, is in a Fifth Avenue duplex apartment with a living room, media room, dining room, kitchen, home office, master bedroom, walk-in closet and study. The Hamptons space, in an old farmhouse, has a kitchen, bath and living areas and a master closet. Westport’s pint-sized shop at 9 Riverside Avenue is tucked in among brick buildings at the corner of Riverside and the Post Road. The owners found the perfect descriptive term of endearment: Connecticut Cottage. It carries Paola Lenti, FTF Design Studio, Kasthall and more.

“We are known for our modern product selections, from Porro closets to Living Divani couches to Flos lighting to FTF Corian trays,” says West Chin, owner. “Many people know that our products look amazing in a modern, contemporary space—an obvious meeting of modern pieces in a modern home. What is less well-known, and what is present in our original East Hampton store, is that modern furniture can work in traditional and transitional spaces, from a modern barn to the 1905 farmhouse we call our OG in East Hampton. The juxtaposition of modern and traditional is a combination that engages the senses and makes you appreciate all that modern design has to offer. Our little cottage in Westport does exactly that.”

As for brick-and-mortar retail, Chin says, “In the luxury sector of high-end residential furnishings, potential buyers want to touch samples, sit in sofas, talk to someone who is educated about the product, and appreciate the experience that cannot come from a brochure or an online vehicle.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO PETRINI

left: Extrasoft modular sofa, Era sette and Kiwi side table (Living Divani) and System bookcase (Porro) middle: The collection includes coffee/cafe tables for small spaces. right: Modern Console (Porro), Galileo mirrors (Living Divani), 14.7 pendant (Bocci), Rack log holder (FTF Design Studio) and Play indoor/outdoor pouf (Paola Lenti)

Providing peace of mind to the local community for 50 years.

NOT JUST GOOD. GUARANTEED.

It’s not just about killing bugs!

At JP McHale Pest Management, our goal is to provide a superior client experience at every point of interaction. Simply stated, we treat our clients like family.

Call us to protect your home today!

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487 East Main Street • Mt. Kisco, NY

800-486-7553 914-666-5802

LN# WC17260-HO5 CT HIC.0560846

E

grand

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

see our gallery of pictures at grandentrance.com MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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eat left: Chorizo casserole with iberico chorizo from Spain with chickpeas, caramelized onions and roasted peppers center: The transformed new restaurant space right: Paella from Valencia region: arborio rice, chicken, calamari, chorizo, clams, mussels, shrimp and saffron below: Executive Chef and owner Renato Donzelli

W

estporters used to have to travel past the town line to get to Basso. Now Basso has come to them. Basso Restaurant & Wine Bar (bassobistrocafe.com), the acclaimed and beloved Mediterranean bistro that made its home in Norwalk for the past twelve years opened in late December in downtown Westport. The space has doubled, has a full bar, two levels for dining and events, and a private dining area for four to eight people.

Outdoor seating, with heat lamps, gives a view over Jesup Green.

Basso has always reflected Chef Renato’s passion for beauty, art, music, good food and wine, and family and friends. His cuisine blends his Venezuelan and Italian roots to create robust and refined dishes. Beloved tapas, like wild mushroom arancini, remain on the menu. So do big plates like rustic osso bucco with homemade paparadelle, and my favorite lobster salad with avocado, endive and hearts of palm. In Basso’s Tuna Coca, a Spanish tapa, grilled bread replaces

flatbread, and each bite is a blissful blend of toasted bread, artichoke spread, seared slices of yellowfin ahi tuna, pickled onion and avocado. Micro greens and corn shoots, in hues of red, green and yellow, top it off, a final touch of fresh, peppery sweetness.

by eliz abeth keyser

The new wood-fired pizza oven kicks out four tempting pizzas. The classic Margherita has an alluring scent of baked crust and fresh basil. Pools of buffalo mozzarella melt into a base of San Marzano tomatoes. Basso isn’t turning into a pizzeria. It’s just one aspect of the experience.

New salads include a refreshing and substantial chickpea salad, with strips of sun-dried and grape tomatoes, red onion, sliced olives, crunchy celery and fresh herbs.

The herby, lemon vinaigrette has a little kick of heat. It’s great for sharing with a Spanish tortilla at brunch.

Music will return. Later in the evening, musicians will gather, and Chef Renato will join them on the congas. We’re looking forward to that!

Basso Restaurant & Wine Bar 33 Jesup Rd., 203-354-6566 Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY BASSO RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

GOOD TIMES

BASSO WINS OVER WESTPORT

Domestic Violence Crisis Center's 19th Annual Westy Mover Concierge

Voices of

For over twenty-five years, Westy Mover Concierge has recommended select movers to thousands of customers in order to make their moving experience pleasant and at reasonable cost. Westy does not charge movers for the service, but insists that they satisfy our customers.

COURAGE

Spring Luncheon May 20, 2021 We are pleased to announce DVCC’s 19th Annual Voices of Courage Spring Luncheon will be held May 20, 2021 from 11:30am-1pm. The virtual event will include keynote speaker, Donna Ferrato, an awardwinning photojournalist, author, domestic violence prevention activist and feminist.

7th

Annual

SAVE THE DATE

To purchase tickets visit:

Monday, June 21, 2021

www.dvccct.org/voices-of-courage-2021

Shorehaven Golf Club, 14 Canfield Ave, Norwalk Register at bit.ly/carverfoundationgolf

Contact Nikki LaFaye for details at: nikki@carvercenterct.org or (203) 945-9665.

Your generosity changes the world for over 2,000 children attending 20 schools in Norwalk and Bridgeport.

Carver Foundation of Norwalk…Building Lifetime Achievers! www.carvernorwalk.org

MAY/ JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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eat

left: Adam Goldberg, the owner of PopUp Bagels center: A fresh batch of bagels right: Goldberg runs the quickly successful business and makes the bagels

King of Carbs A

dam Goldberg has a day job—a good one, in fact. He’s national director of Aquafence, a flood-mitigation company that protects commercial and municipal properties from flooding. Then why does he spend so much time in the kitchen? As luck would have it— for all of us—this Westport dad launched POPUP BAGELS in November 2020, while the rest of the world was focused on the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a business venture, as Adam shared his mouthwatering baked goods with friends and family, unaware of the hype that would ensue. Now, six months later, the PopUp Bagels sensation is living up to its name by doing just that—popping up all over Connecticut, with fans from surrounding states clamoring to snag a spot on his coveted “list.” I sat down with Adam to learn more about his new passion and to uncover the secret behind his overnight success.

How did the idea to launch a bagel company come about?

“It really launched itself. I was having too much fun making bagels for friends but couldn’t keep up the freebies, so I got a cottage license and started charging people. I wanted to keep up with demand, so continued to increase our capacity, but we are still far from fulfilling every request.”

Have you always loved to bake?

“I’ve always loved to cook and entertain. Baking was something that I was never patient enough to learn, until Covid-19. The pandemic has taught us all a lot about patience and how to make the best of a difficult and challenging

by emily liebert

waking up early! It’s a learning curve. All of our bagels are hand rolled and cooked and served fresh.

We use high-quality ingredients that give our bagel its unique texture and flavor. We also partner with great restaurants that offer amazing schmear options to accompany the bagels. We started working with Don Memo and have recently partnered with Marcia Selden Catering in Stamford. Now, we have a four-month residency set up at Manna Toast’s hub kitchen, which we’re very excited about.”

Do you offer a variety of bagels?

“Absolutely! At the current time, we’re making Maldon Salt, Everything, Salted Poppy, and Sesame. We’ve also done Plain and Cinnamon Raisin.”

How many do you make a week?

“On average, we bake fifty dozen bagels a day on the weekends and typically a total of fifty dozen more midweek in the early mornings from my home.”

situation. For me, it was working toward perfecting the bake— everything from sourdough bread and pizzas to buns and, obviously, bagels.”

Do you have a team?

“We have a great group of volunteers who 'roll for bagels.'

There are usually five of us on the line for each weekend morning bake. I’ve also started hiring some

What’s does the bagel-making process entail?

“A lot of rolling and tweaking and

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talented high school students to work with us—they’ve proven to be very valuable to the model.”

Where can people buy PopUp bagels?

“Our bagels are sold on our website popupbagels.com. They go on sale three to four days prior and sell out within a few minutes. Pickup is either from my home or our host restaurant, depending on the day.

You can also follow @popupbagels on Instagram for updates, fun behind-the-scenes photos, and reviews from happy customers.”

Will you expand outside of Connecticut?

“We already have. In February we did a pop-up with Chef PJ Calapa in Short Hills, New Jersey. PopUp Bagels have also made it to New York and Florida.”

What are your future plans for the company?

“We’ve just launched our subscription model so that customers can place a standing order for bagels every other week.

Now that we have a solid base in our core market, we plan to expand our footprint and operate multiple popups throughout the tristate area as well as other key regions in need of a great on-demand bagel.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PRIVATE PORTRAITS BY JEN GOLDBERG

One Westport dad is rolling it out

money matters

David Zipkin

A

fter more than a year of quarantine, many families here in Fairfield County and beyond are itching for a vacation. Remember those?

Rousing everybody before the sun comes up, wrangling the kids, the baggage, the nanny, the dog and your in-laws into the car(s) early enough to get a jump on everyone else who is trying to flee?

If you’re flying, you’ll need time to park and get to the

terminal. Don’t forget checking your bags and corralling the crew through TSA lines, past testy gatekeepers and onto germy jets.

Is that your tired kid screaming on the plane? Of course it is.

There is another way, one that’s become increasingly popular during Covid-19, reports David Zipkin, the founder and vicepresident of Tradewind Aviation, a private airline headquartered in Oxford, Connecticut.

Private aviation used to be the predilection of our millionaire neighbors. Not anymore.

According to aviation industry tracker WINGX, charter demand is at an all-time high. For short flights especially, family flying on a private jet is not only attractive, but also surprisingly comparably priced.

The cost of flying private depends on two things: the size of the plane and the amount of time spent in the air. Tradewind Aviation’s turbo-jets, for example, cost $4,295 per occupied hour.

That rate drops to $3,800 for frequent-flyers with a forty-hour

Even for Big Shots, Small Can Be Better The advantage of local airports

IS PRIVATE AVIATION RIGHT FOR YOU? card. The planes seat eight, or $475 per passenger on a full plane. Says Zipkin, “Sometimes two families get together and split the plane,” as do business travelers heading to the same destination, girlfriends on getaways, buddies attending bachelor parties, and the like.

There is no added cost for baggage, pets or parking, which can save hundreds of dollars per person. Passengers can bring their own food and drink without it being confiscated by security.

A flight from Westchester Airport to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, the Berkshires or the Hamptons, for example, takes an hour, versus five or six hours by car and ferry. “Time is money,” Zipkin says. “You can drive right up to the airplane. The ground handlers assist with your luggage and the valet parks the car.”

Zipkin and his brother Eric founded Tradewind Aviation in 2001, when the World Trade Center towers fell and the Zipkin brothers, who grew up in Bedford, NY, understood that

air travel was about to change drastically. New safety measures meant no more dashing through airport entrances and running to the gate. “We knew the Nantucket market very well. We bought one airplane and just built everything organically. There was a group of commuters who owned a home out there, but needed to get back home to Stamford or whatever from Monday through Friday.

They got together to share a charter. We have clients who leave the office at 5 p.m. and they’re in Nantucket by 6 p.m. and having dinner with their family.”

Now the Zipkins have twenty-four planes, with scheduled flights in addition to their charter service. Tradewind Aviation’s hub in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a popular launching pad for luxury island-hopping in the Caribbean. “Pre-Covid, we’d fly between twenty and thirty flights per day to St. Bart’s. There’s a higher cost to doing it well and doing it luxuriously, but for the folks who can afford it,” Zipkin says, “they just love it.”

Just bringing the brood to Westchester Airport from many parts of Fairfield County might feel like a schlep, and that’s where private aviation becomes more attractive. Smaller planes can land in small airports; with enough notice, customers can reserve their own turbo-prop for Stratford, New Haven, Danbury, Oxford or other small airports, and Tradewind Aviation will have one waiting there at no extra cost.

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CONTRIBUTED

THE HIGH LIFE

BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

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Good Life ©DASHA PETRENKO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Whether a newcomer or lifelong resident, we’re all on the hunt for new and creative ways to live life better here. We’ve got this!

THE GOOD LIFE TEAM v e ne ra ale xandrova, liz baron , g a rv i n bu rk e, t i m c a rr , m eg a n g ag n on , m a ry kat e h o gan , jil l j ohnson mann, j ule e kapl an, c ri st i n m a r a n di n o, d on na mof f ly, dia n e sem brot, tay l or stroi li

125 Ways

to live, play, relax and connect in Fairfield County

I

n 2019 we brought you our first Good Life Issue—a compilation of ideas for home improvement, family fun, shopping and special services throughout Fairfield County. Then came 2020, and, well, it’s obvious why the section took a hiatus. This year, we set out to provide you with sources and ideas to help you enjoy life in today’s world—we call it Good Life 2.0.

Here, we explore special and unique ways to take your living spaces to the next level, enjoy safe and relaxing getaways, stay active and creative and, of course, shop gorgeous fashion and jewelry finds (because we’re pretty sure everyone is ready for a style pick-me-up).

Our post-Covid world will certainly look a little different for a while, but we’re thrilled to celebrate what we all know to be true—pandemic or not—that our corner of the world is a pretty special place to call home. » AT HOME

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HOME DECOR

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GETAWAYS

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OUT & ABOUT

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FASHION

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JEWERLY

TheGoodLife ||| AT HOME

above: With exceptional views of Long Island Sound, this porch at a Riverside home designed by Charles Hilton Architects features New York gray flagstone flooring and a fireplace made of reclaimed local fieldstone that helps the homeowners extend their time outside. (Windows and doors are from Little Harbor Window Company.)

The Home Front Luxury home upgrades that are trending now

O

ver the past year people turned their attention to their homes more than ever, putting a fresh eye on what matters most. We all needed a secure haven and respite (and still do) while also longing for a place to reconnect with family and friends. It was harder to ignore things that need

fixing and updating when you were home 24/7, but it was also a time to dream big. So, we talked to experts about how people are investing in their surroundings and learned about some of the ultimate in home upgrades now that we can finally open our doors to friends again.

westportmag.com

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WOODRUFF AND BROWN

by mary k ate ho gan

1

OUTSIDE IN

CHARLES HILTON ARCHITECTS

hiltonarchitects.com

Our desire to commune with nature has reached an all-time high. Studies have found that taking in natural light and beautiful scenery reduces stress and improves well-being, even boosting our immune systems.

A conservatory affords these perks year-round.

“People want to feel like they’re out in nature and enjoying their yard, even if it’s the middle of winter,” says Charles Hilton, AIA, who says that glazed rooms have been high on homeowners’ wish lists. He created a light-filled office—such a soothing spot to work—and sitting room, which looks out onto a boxwood-framed terrace with a center fountain and a pond and stream beyond.

To create a similar space, these are things to consider: You need top-quality windows and doors, ideally insulated with two or three layers of glass and a low-e (low-emission) coating that lets in sunlight but minimizes solar heat gain in the summer months.

It’s important for a glassed-in room to have its own HVAC zone, because it will lose and gain heat differently than other rooms in the home. Solar shades are a must for controlling sunlight and privacy. In this space, the shades are remote controlled, and the ceiling shades retract into a concealed soffit around the perimeter. Choose shades that you can see through, and then even when you want less sun, you can still soak up the view.

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2

DESTRESS & DETOX SBP HOMES sbphomes.com It’s no secret that people enjoyed cocktail hour with more gusto over the past year. When you have no commute, there’s more time to mix a margarita or martini. This trend has staying power as people have been adding bars into their homes, says Doron Sabag of SBP Homes, in living rooms and finished basements.

However, in our health-conscious age, Doron says, there’s also an increase in home spas and infrared saunas. “As people drink more, they feel they need to detox,” he says. Infrared saunas promise many benefits. “Apparently they detox, increase metabolism, keep your skin healthy, make you happy.

Why not have one?” For one client he’s building a family spa room with a sauna, steam unit and soaking tub with outdoor access to a porch with a heated floor. “It’s the most glamorous spa we’ve ever done.”

above: Chilling out at home has fresh appeal when you have a room like this, outfitted with a well-equipped, built-in bar and pool table.

LUCKY DOGS GRAND ENTRANCE grandentrance.com Undeniably the big winners of the pandemic, our pooches have enjoyed so much extra love and attention. As things improve and you find yourself with slightly less time for three walks a day, how can you still keep Buddy happy?

A functional yet decorative fence and gate can keep him safe on your property while also adding overall security.

“People have been moving up from the city and buying houses; after a few weeks they decide they’re never going back.

They’re used to security, and that has predicated more fencing and gates,” says Don Gore of Grand Entrance Gates. “Pets are driving some of the work. It’s about keeping animals in and safe and predators out.” (See the NextDoor app for an album’s worth of bobcats, coyotes and more.)

At one Greenwich home, Grand Entrance created a special dog run that adds to the landscape, with its bronze railing on top, while also giving the pup room to roam. The company installs a wide range of classic and modern style fencing and gates as well as custom stone walls, outdoor fireplace and patios—all enhancing outdoor living. “Now that family can open the door, let the dog out and not worry about a thing.” » MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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4 T AKE A DIP

SHORELINE POOLS

shorelinepools.com

Vanishing-edge pools continue to be popular, as do pools with built-in spas, like this one from Shoreline, overlooking Long Island Sound.

5 VANDERHORN ARCHITECTS FOUR SEASONS LIVING

vanderhornarchitects.com

After stretching the limits of the normal outdoor dining season, many people realized that they’d love to take more advantage of their outside spaces even in the coldest month. Outdoor living was already a huge focus before the pandemic, and now builders and architects are turning up the heat on patio and pergola designs.

“We did a terrific outdoor patio recently where we put in a glass cathedral roof across the whole terrace,” says Doug Vanderhorn of Vanderhorn Architects (think JHouse’s outside dining area).

There’s a fireplace, and electric heaters are built into that glass roof, so they can use the space yearround. This type of built-in heating—strips that aim the warm air down onto the area—keep things much toastier than the big heat lamps, and it’s unobtrusive in the warmer months.

“People are looking for a little more luxury at home, and we’re seeing a strong desire to create well-appointed outdoor living spaces and entertaining areas.”

left: This Georgianstyle pool house by Vanderhorn Architects reflects elegant indooroutdoor living with a kitchen, bar and sitting area inside and a patio with built-in firepit outside and nearby pergola and dining table.

—john defeo, shoreline p o ols westportmag.com

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DOUG VANDERHORN: GUS CANTAVERO PHOTOGRAPHY

More homeowners have been taking the plunge into installing pools. “People are looking for a little more luxury at home, and we’re seeing a desire to create well-appointed outdoor living spaces and entertaining areas,” says John DeFeo, PLA, director of design services at Shoreline Pools.

The company creates custom pools, and the trend is toward making them useable yeararound with built-in spas and fire and heating features. Automatic pool covers have also become popular, not only because of the safety benefits but they also help maintain pool temps during fringe seasons and in the evening.

“High-end pool and outdoor living design uses topography, sun patterns, architecture and landscape as inspiration,” says John. His team works closely with clients to design something perfectly suited to how the family plans to enjoy the pool. They can layer in fun elements such as lounge spaces, sun shelves and water features with vanishing or wet edges, ensuring that everybody’s into the pool.

TheGoodLife ||| HOME FRONT

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BREW JUST FOR YOU TOPBREWER topbrewernyc.com Missing your morning Starbucks runs? Instead you can sit in bed, tap an app and have a barista-style beverage made to your exact specifications in your own kitchen with TopBrewer. This is the ultimate high-end coffee technology, with origins in the office world, that’s made its way into people’s home kitchens. The sleek system is designed to take up minimal counter space—all you see is the faucet; the components are placed in the cabinet underneath with separate lines for coffee, chocolate and water.

Pick your beverage of choice, whether cappuccino, latte, mochaccino, flat white, hot chocolate, Café Americano, etc. Adjust the strength and froth from your phone or name your custom drink to get one exactly the way you like it every time. The machine also pours sparkling and flat water.

“There’s nothing else like it,” says Lisa Damore, vice president of sales, “It’s such a wow factor.”

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THE HAPPIEST HAPPY HOUR

CARDELLO ARCHITECTS & SMALLBONE

cardelloarchitects.com; smallbone.co.uk

The bar has truly been raised on at-home happy hour. Cocktail culture has become even more of a thing, and now you’ll find mini fridges in closets, whole closets turned into bars and exceptional wine rooms. In a new home in Greenwich, Robert Cardello of Cardello Architects designed a wine cellar and entertaining space for a Bordeaux buff. The wine room has a big farm table in the center and a working fireplace. Around the perimeter a glass wall separates the refrigerated wine from the entertaining space.

“He goes down there to hang out with friends, drink and relax. It’s such a comfortable place to spend time,” says Robert of his client. There’s just enough space to walk in and access the bottles, which are on display all around the room and kept at the perfect temperature behind the glass. And the décor: “It’s like you stepped into an old Italian winery.”

Smallbone also creates one-of-a-kind wine rooms, such as this wine and cigar lounge (above) in a New York City home.

It’s outfitted with ebonized black walnut furniture and museum-glass display cabinets with picture-frame interior-lit shelving. The essential full-service bar has a hidden icemaker, dishwasher, cold drawers and a hammered pewter bar sink, all built into an antiqued brown granite countertop. A wall expertly clad in stone supports a hidden mirror flat-screen TV, and the clients commissioned a custom Veuve Clicquot cigar humidor. A quiet night in has never looked this good. » MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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TheGoodLife ||| HOME FRONT

This chic office shed with built-ins from California Closets serves as a work “oasis” for lifestyle blogger Erin Hiemstra. She also uses the 10-by-10 backyard retreat as a place to do yoga.

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GAME ON! FULL SWING GOLF fullswinggolf.com Peleton and The Mirror may have been the most talked-about home-fitness obsessions, but for some, a coveted way to stay active at home is to install a golf simulator. To have the right set-up for a simulator, you need some space: ten-foot ceilings to be precise. One system that architects recommend is called Full Swing, a simulator that’s installed in the homes of PGA tour champions including Tiger Woods. It uses infrared lightwave technology combined with high-speed cameras for the most realistic ball tracking, and you can even opt for a surface called Virtual Green that lets you putt. But you’ll need plenty of green’s fees saved to purchase one, as they start at $40,000. westportmag.com

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CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

californiaclosets.com

The shift to work-at-home life made organizing and setting up an office space a high priority for many of us. “Everyone evolved to saying the kitchen table is not going to cut it,” says Jill LaRue, SVP, chief merchandising officer at California Closets, who adds that the out-of-necessity home office became the company’s biggest growth area last year.

“When you have disorganized spaces, it’s hard to start and end your day, particularly when your day is twenty-four hours at home.” Architects also observed the workspace trend. “Home offices are a big deal—with people spending more money on better sound systems, power operated shades, large televisions where they may be doing Zoom calls,” says Doug Vanderhorn of Vanderhorn Architects.

Some people quickly turned spare rooms into offices, and California Closets has a system to equip those spaces with wall beds, so they can still double as a guest room when needed. For any home office, ergonomic design is key; and Jill says their designers are trained to set up the best positioning for your desk chair, drawer space and computer monitor.

She notes that some home desks were created more for light use, like bill paying, not for full days at work, so people may need to upgrade. Those fortunate to have outbuildings on their property have been transforming them into creative work and craft spaces and She-Shed-style offices (see photo). It’s a real luxury to be able to head to an on-site studio and tell the rest of the family, “Ok, I’m off to my own space now.”

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS: AUBRIE PICK

9

OFFICE SPACE (ELEVATED)

above: In this meditation room, the artisan Smallbone open wall array was finished in ultra-fine flat soft-white lacquer and centered around the ancient sun sign.

10

SERENITY NOW SMALLBONE smallbone.co.uk Stress relief and a sense of calm are needed more than ever, and people are turning to meditation. Still, it’s hard to carve out space and time to make the practice a habit. That’s where a meditation zone comes in. Smallbone was recently hired to “master the art of Zen” and design a meditation and reading room for a client. “A holistic approach was essential to bring together the purest of elements, skillfully blended into a serene palette,” says David Trainer, senior designer at Smallbone. The open wall was centered around the ancient sun sign, bringing energy to the center of the space; Feng Shui and numerology were applied to the wallscape to assure a flow of Chi energy. There’s a chaise lounge for relaxing and reading and a desk for writing and journaling. Softly diffused, concealed lighting and healing crystals from the client’s collection combine for seriously good vibes.

UPGRADE MAISON HAVEN 11 STYLE

maisonhaven.com

MASON HAVEN: JULIA D’AGOSTINO

They say a good day starts with a great outfit. No wonder we were in the dumps for so long when, on top of everything else, sweatpants became our go-to. It’s high time to get dressed again and to overhaul our closets and wardrobes. If that task seems too daunting, call on Maison Haven, a team that will edit your clothes, refresh your rooms, clean out clutter and devise organizing systems so attractive that you’ll be motivated to keep them that way. While the firm was recently focused on kitchens and pantries (all those Costco panic purchases), they’re seeing a shift back to closets.

“Your closet should be an inspiring place to start every day.

There’s no reason to wear something that doesn’t make you feel like a million bucks,” says Corrie Jackson, co-founder of Maison Haven. “You don’t want a closet full of one-hit wonders.”

Whether they’re working on one closet or the whole house (they do kids rooms, family rooms and offices, too), they will discuss your needs, take photos and measurements, and create a plan that includes mood boards for products that work with your design and color palette.

The best part: You don’t have to lift a finger. The team has occasionally had vacation-bound clients hand them the keys and let them work their magic. Prefer a more DIY approach? Try Haven in a Box, the kit gives you everything you need: a glossy bible of tips, tricks and step-by-step info; curated products (think chic acrylic hanging dividers); tutorials on creating a shoe well, how to file, fold and other organizing essentials. » MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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TheGoodLife ||| HOME DECOR

House Dressing We love where we live, but decorating our homes can often feel like a challenge. These stores are here to help by megan gagnon

above: Serena and Lily’s inviting spaces include a mix of classic furniture lines with relaxed finishes and natural texture

12

LOCATION, LOCATION SERENA & LILY serenaandlily.com

M

ost customers who visit Serena & Lily’s Westport flagship admit to wanting to move in. We don’t blame them, having experienced the magic that comes from seeing the coastal California line merchandised in an actual home. The historic KemperGunn house, an 1889-built Queen Anne Victorian, provides the ideal setting for the brand’s variety of offerings, with complete rooms styled from rugs on the floor to lighting on the ceiling. Utilize the work room—where you can browse a wall of textile swatches—with your own designer or an advisor on staff. Or get inspired by any number of spaces, like the third-floor setup, which includes a dreamy kids’ installation.

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14

RECIPE FOR STYLE

BROWNE & CO.

dianebrowne.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: BEEHIVE BY BROOKE ALLISON; THE LINEN SHOP BY KYLE NORTON; ELEISH VAN BREEMS HOME BY NEIL LANDINO; ALL OTHER IMAGES COURTESY OF STORES

There’s always something that smells good at Darien’s Browne & Co. Is it the Lafco candles, or perhaps the freshly baked cookies that line the bakery case at the back of the store?

Chances are, it’s probably both, and owner and caterer Diane Browne was wise to combine a retail space with her popular café. Even if you only came to grab lunch, you have to make it past the tables and shelves filled with decor finds and women’s accessories without something catching your eye (no easy feat).

If you really want to do it right, order ahead for your next holiday meal or dinner party and then pick out new platters, bowls and napkins to serve them with.

IT PERSONAL 13 MAKE THE LINEN SHOP

thelinenshopct.com

A downtown mainstay on Elm Street in New Canaan, The Linen Shop is like the luxury boutique version of Bed, Bath & Beyond. And by beyond, we’re talking everything from monogrammed tissue-box covers to tabletop treasures for every entertaining opportunity. When it comes to bed-making, bathroom-stocking and table-setting, the options are endless, with a variety of colors and prints to choose from.

Let the knowledgeable staff help you coordinate your finds or create the ultimate wedding registry.

SWEDE HOME 16 HOME ELEISH VAN BREEMS HOME

evbantiques.com

Head to the Westport train station, not to catch a ride to New York, but to escape into the Scandinavian world that Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems have created just steps from the tracks. Eleish Van Breems Home is the culmination of a decadeslong friendship and design business built around Swedish antiques. The store includes their mid-century discoveries alongside unique pieces like Rolf painted candlesticks, whimsical items for kids and chic pet accessories from Max Bone.

Everything in their edit reflects a refreshing aesthetic: a mix of furniture with history and modern touches from skilled artisans.

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BUZZWORTHY

BEEHIVE

thebeehivefairfield.com

The danger with a shop like the Beehive is that you go in with the intention of buying a gift for someone else and end up leaving with five things for yourself. You spot the doormat you didn’t know you needed, eye some pillows your couch has been missing, and grab the candle that promises to make your house smell as good as the store—all before you get to the table stacked with serveware that you came in to see. Create your own vignette at home with furniture and accessories purchased on site, or hire owners Sandra Halstead and Lesley Collins to bring their design expertise to your home project or renovation, large or small.

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TheGoodLife ||| HOME DECOR

BLEND 18 HOUSE THE DRAWING ROOM

thedrawingroomhome.com

There’s a surprise around every corner of The Drawing Room in Cos Cob. Start in the retail space, where styled books and decor sit on antique furniture and lead to other home finds, jewelry and gifts (don’t forget to grab a cheeky card).

Tucked behind the store, you can find inspiration in the art gallery, featuring pieces from local, national and international artists. Beyond the exhibition space, you’ll get a peek into the cafe, where guests nibble on tea sandwiches and freshly baked treats. All three buildings reflect the passions of husband and wife team Kenleigh and Michael Larock. Let them help with decorating needs, provide art consultation services or cater your next party.

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EXTRA, EXTRA

THE TAILORED HOME

thetailoredhomect.com

The world of Jhon Ortiz and partner Scott Falciglia is a maximalist’s dream come true. With their business, The Tailored Home, the two visionaries execute projects marked by their use of saturated color, statement lighting and bold printed upholstery. In their showrooms, furniture fantasies become reality, custom pieces are imagined, and vintage finds are revived and given a modern makeover. As for finishing touches, look to their window treatments or an array of styling accessories to add yet another layer of personality. See them for yourself in Greenwich, or stop by their brand-new Westport location.

ESCAPE 20 GREAT BUNGALOW

Not all of us can travel the world, scouring antiques shops and flea markets for one-of-a-kind treasures. But we’re happy to have Wende Cohen do the digging, filling a shipping container with European finds season after season, and then sharing her loot at her Westport store. Give yourself some time if you plan on making a stop at Bungalow; the gorgeous space deserves your undivided attention, and you’ll want to take in every styled corner. But be warned: while the selection of furniture and home accessories is fabulous, there is an equally tempting rotation of jewelry that is hard to resist.

HUNTING 19 GO THE COLLECTIVE

thecollectivect.com

Sometimes, something old is better than something new. And as local antiques lovers know, Stamford’s South End is a gold mine for pieces with history. At The Collective, designer Pamela Frisoli (you know her from her Cos Cob store, Trovare Home) teamed up with antiquarians Robert and Karen DeFalco to create a unique shopping experience. Against a backdrop of the bright white 13,000-square-foot space, dealers style their curated booths into vignettes that show off their furniture and vintage accessories, like pairs of mid-century chairs and 19-century oil paintings. Chances are you’ll run into interior designers sourcing for their own projects, a sign that you’re in the right spot.

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THE COLLECTIVE BY TOM MCGOVERN; BUNGALOW BY TIM LENZ; ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF STORES

bungalowdecor.com

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MIX MASTER HABITAT GREENWICH habitatgreenwich.com

K

im Caravella is all about layering and texture. It’s the signature style that she’s honed over a long interior-design career, and visitors get a glimpse of her work every time they pop into her Cos Cob store, habitatgreenwich. There are sprinkles of color throughout the store, but most of the goods show off a master class in mixing neutrals; the metallic finish of an antique French mirror over a woven basket of hand-looped alpaca pillows, an oversized rattan pendant illuminating rustic thrown pottery and original artwork. Need a housewarming gift? Consider adding an orchid to her selection of vintage stone pots or opt for a purchase that gives back to local nonprofits, a priority for the community-minded Caravella. »

There is always unique artwork on display at Habitat Greenwich

MAY 2021 GREENWICH

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TheGoodLife ||| GETAWAYS

Escape Artists From your own backyard to a Wyoming ranch, electric bikes to private jets—where and how to escape this summer by jill johnson mann

above: Hinckley Yachts’ Talaria 43 sets the scene for a summer of great memories as a family. Retractable windows and a half door provide open space between cockpit and galley.

F

or months we had to put our travel plans on hold. Even now, as we work our way through vaccine lines, we remain hesitant about heading off to destinations with pre-pandemic reckless abandon. We’re sticking closer to home or looking for off-thebeaten path getaways. We sought out extraordinary “escapes” that make the most of living well here. We found ways to get out on the water, soar into the blue skies or travel by engine power or actual horse power for when we just need to get away from it all. Save the travel agent traps—we’re talking easy, fun and refreshing friends and family time.

BITTERROOT RANCH

bitterrootranch.com

Astride sturdy steeds in the unspoiled mountainous wilderness of Wyoming, riders enjoy several advantages during a pandemic: They are out in the fresh air and naturally maintain six feet between fellow equestrians. For these reasons (and maybe because it’s one place everyone should visit in this lifetime) Bitterroot Ranch remained open in 2020. They expect a full season again this year, from May 23 to October 1, including two yoga and riding retreats (July 11–18 and August 23–30).

Bitterroot is neither a hokey dude ranch nor an over-the-top luxe one where the focus is more on thread count than a good gallop. It is the real deal, catering to beginner and expert riders alike and even offering English saddles and a cross-country course for those who prefer jumping to roping. You will not find yourself plodding along on a lazy nag here. Bitterroot boasts fit, eager and astoundingly sure-footed horses, along with breathtaking views in every direction on its 1,300 acres and beyond to the Shoshone National Forest and a 52,000-acre game and fish wildlife refuge. This escape is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. A private airport is forty minutes away; Jackson is two hours. A one-week stay is $2,750 per person ($1,750 non-rider/fly fisherman); half a week runs $1,750 ($1,100 non-rider). The yoga retreat is $3,000/week.

Cuisine—healthy and delicious—is included.

westportmag.com

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HINCKLEY, GARY JOHN NORMAN; BITTERROOT, JEFF VANUGA

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RIDE OF A LIFETIME

24-26 BOAT ESCAPES HINCKLEY YACHTS

hinckleyyachts.com/ location/stamford-ct

LAND ROVER BY NICK DIMBLEBY; PERFORMANCE FLIGHT ©JOEL BARHAMAND; SCHOONER BY MIKE BAGLEY; HINCKLEY, GARY JOHN NORMAN; CAREFREE BOAT, CONTRIBUTED

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NOT YOUR FATHER’S SUV

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

landroverdarien.com

In keeping with the survivalist theme of the era we live in, you don’t want to be driving a wimpy car.

The Land Rover Defender won Motortrend’s 2021 SUV of the Year. This rugged vehicle is ready for anything—off road or on. “The Defender is refined.

It’s quite luxurious but, unlike many SUVs, it’s a proper off-roader and incredibly capable on the road,” says Nick Hilton at Land Rover Darien. “It’s quite square. People like boxy designs; it reminds them of vehicles of old, but it doesn’t drive like one.”

Add an Adventure Pack (because who doesn’t need an adventure about now?) for accessories like a side-mounted gear carrier to store dirty or wet items, portable rinse system to wash the mud off your bike or your boots, and an integrated air compressor to inflate the tires or an airbed. Land Rover’s Defender 90 X-Dynamic is available now, and the V8 model will arrive this summer. Prices range from about $50,000 to $100,000.

tailored to perfection With the glistening Long Island Sound nearby, a private boat escape is a no-brainer for summer. To buy the yacht of your dreams, visit Hinckley Yachts in Stamford. All Hinckley boats are custom-built in Maine, where the company builds only thirty boats per year.

They run from thirty-two to fifty-five feet, with forty-three feet being the most popular (pictured below). The Stamford location also offers service, a marina and summer/winter storage.

CAREFREE BOAT CLUB

carefreeboats.com join the club Prefer all the joys of boating without the responsibility of ownership? Join Carefree Boat Club and your membership buys you access to top-of-the-line boats across the U.S. and Canada, as well as training by licensed captains. A boat with a cabin is available for overnight trips.

Refueling, cleaning and covering the boat are hassles members kiss goodbye. It has two Fairfield County locations: Stamford’s Harbor Point and in Westport (below, Sea Witch). See the available fleet at either local website.

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SOUNDWATERS

soundwaters.org

majesty on the high seas For an unforgettable outing, charter the SoundWaters, an eightyfoot schooner modeled after a Chesapeake Bay sharpie. Enjoy a Long Island Sound sunset, while giant sails guide you away from to-do lists. It carries forty passengers, and charter reservations are open through September. The decks accommodate wheelchairs. Children must be five years or older and accompanied by an adult. A twohour private sail is $2,000. Longer voyages are available.

Email schooner@ soundwaters.org or call 203-406-3319.

PILOT PROGRAM

PERFORMANCE FLIGHT

performanceflight.com

If you’re looking to make great escapes a way of life, learn to fly your own plane. Performance Flight, the sister company to Custom Jet Charters (see #31), is a world-renowned flight school, based at Westchester Airport. “I started with the flight school,” says owner and Westporter Lewis Liebert, who manages a fleet of forty-three aircraft. “That’s what I’m passionate about.” The school’s Next Generation Training Platform and new Cirrus planes are state of the art, and Liebert hires only “the most talented instructors.” In sixty to seventy hours (forty is the legal minimum) and for $60,000, a pilot’s license can be yours. Looking for ways to help your flighty teen escape? Youth train at Performance Flight as well. They can fly solo at sixteen and acquire a license at age seventeen. »

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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TheGoodLife ||| GETAWAYS

30

NEW ENGLAND CHARM

FOUR COLUMNS

fourcolumnsvt.com

28-29 TWO-WHEELIN’ DANNY’S CYCLES

dannyscycles.com

Bikes were in huge demand last year, so start your bike escape plan by getting your name on the waitlist for the model you want! Electric or “e-bikes” are all the rage. Craig at Danny’s Cycles in North Stamford (there’s also a location in Darien) explains how they work: “An e-bike takes your speed and doubles it or quadruples it. If you generate 100 watts, it pushes out 200 watts. You can choose to ride with it completely off or on economy, sport or turbo mode.”

The e-bike boost enables you to cover more distance in a shorter time frame, see more beautiful Connecticut scenery, and break as much of a sweat as you want. It’s perfect if you have a spouse who likes to cruise while you are going for the wicked burn. E-road bikes run $5,000 and up; the Specialized’s Turbo Creo is a favorite. Electric mountain bikes are also a blast; check out the Turbo Levo ($6,500 and up).

SOUND CYCLISTS

soundcyclists.com

Where to ride? Craig at Danny’s Cycles recommends the fifty-mile ride from North Stamford to Titicus Reservoir in North Salem, New York, or “a good 100 miles from Kent up to Salisbury on old-school farming roads.” He also suggests joining Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club. For a mere $35 annual family membership, you and your peeps can enjoy a variety of guided rides, for all levels, on road and off.

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FLIGHTS OF FANCY

CUSTOM JET CHARTERS

customjetcharters.com

“I don’t normally do this, but you understand, I don’t want to fly with everyone!” Westport resident and Custom Jet Charters’ owner Lewis Liebert heard this a lot in the past year. Private aviation is no longer only about comfort and efficiency, but also steering clear of airport and airplane germs. But like going from coach to first class, it’s tough to turn back once you’ve experienced the high life. “I flew commercially to Sonoma with a group of friends. It took us sixteen hours door-to-door,” says Liebert.

“Privately it would have been seven.” Whisking your sweetheart away to the Point at Saranac Lake in an hour, rather than spending five times that in a car, is tempting—and romantic. “I had one client who was having trouble getting a girl to go on a date with him. He told her, ‘C’mon, let’s go get lobster for dinner.’ She replied, ‘I only like fresh lobster.’ So he flew her up to Maine!”

With fewer commercial flights, chartered flights are attractive for remote, fabulous locales, such as Blackberry Farm, Tennessee; the hills of North Carolina; Nantucket; Jackson Hole or Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming. A trip to Nantucket is $3,500 to $4,000 each way, for six to eight passengers. Throw a copy of Emily Liebert’s novel Pretty Revenge in your beach bag (she happens to be Lewis’s wife). westportmag.com

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32

A SOUND IDEA

CARITAS ISLAND

thejuliehillgroup.com

If you are looking to make escaping permanent, your own private island in Wallock’s Point, Stamford, should do the trick. The four-acre Caritas Island, also known as Greenway Island, was once owned by J.P. Morgan’s great-grandson and boasts a 17,000-square-foot Englishstyle manor, several guest houses, private beaches, a tennis court and a fifty-five-foot lap pool.

The estate can be reached from the mainland via a gated, private bridge, which is a short drive from Shippan. Should arriving by car to your island feel a bit pedestrian, there is always the helipad or the 200-foot-deep dock for your yacht. This private island is yours for $14.5 million.

BIKES ©SASINT - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; PHOTO FRAME ©THOMAS PAJOT - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; FOUR COLUMNS BEDROOM ©2015 WOODWARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Four Columns, situated in gorgeous Newfane, Vermont, is an easy 2.5-hour drive from Fairfield County. The fifteen-room historic inn was restored

by Delamar owner and Greenwich resident Charles Mallory. Consulting with Delamar’s Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer, Mallory created a winning combination—an authentic New England inn and locally sourced cuisine at its Artisan Restaurant, Tavern and Garden. Dining continued outdoors last summer, overlooking the inn’s beautiful gardens, and the restaurant will open again before Memorial Day weekend. The 138-acre property boasts its own 2.5-mile hiking trail, an outdoor pool, gym, spa and a separate four-bedroom house. It is feasible to rent out the entire inn as well as the house, and Four Columns can accommodate a 150-person tented wedding. Whether planning a couple’s getaway or a larger gathering, guests should check its website for updates on Vermont’s Covid restrictions. Rooms range from $185 to $345. The house is $550 (midweek) to $600 (weekends) and sleeps nine.

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GRAYBARNS BY MORGAN IONE YEAGER; WINVIAN FARM FOREST BEDROOM BY ©KINDRA CLINEFF; VELUXITY EXOTIC CAR RENTAL BY JOHN HINCHEY

33

GOLD—OR SILVER—MINE

THE INN AT GRAYBARNS

graybarns.com

Skip the traveling altogether and escape down the road to a hidden gem right here on the Silvermine River. The Inn at GrayBarns boasts six gorgeous king suites with living rooms and luxurious full baths, designed to tie in the natural environment with reclaimed wood and wide-board oak floors. The antique feel of the post-and-beam inn is complemented by all the contemporary comforts for a restorative getaway. Each suite is different—opt for a balcony or for a lower-level suite leading out to a pond. Even better, rent the whole inn for a friend or family reunion after this isolating year. A complimentary breakfast is delivered to your door (replacing the usual buffet) and the Tavern at GrayBarns offers indoor and outdoor seating (following reduced capacity guidelines). The Inn at GrayBarns, owned by the Glazer family of Norwalk, is situated a mile from Silvermine Arts Center, 3.5 miles to The Glass House (tours of architect Philip Johnson’s jewel are ongoing) and 5 miles from New Canaan’s 300-acre Waveny Park. Rooms run $750 (midweek) to $900 (weekend). Escape for even one night—no minimum stay is required.

35

QUICK ESCAPE

VELUXITY EXOTIC CAR RENTAL

veluxityexoticcarrental.com

If you don’t want to get on a plane but still want to feel like you’re flying, Veluxity Exotic Car Rental will deliver your dream car right to your door. “Our Lamborghini Huracan Spyder is fully optioned with carbon fiber racing seats. It’s akin to a slingshot on acceleration and a blast to drive on Connecticut backroads,” says Veluxity owner Ron Petruska. Want something roomier? How about Lamborghini’s Urus SUV, which combines the comfort of a luxury SUV with the power of a twin turbo V8 supercar. “The Urus is actually faster to sixty than our Ferrari,” says Petruska.

Looking to cruise Connecticut’s coastal towns? The fourseater Rolls Royce Dawn convertible will clear your head of any pent-up pandemic anxiety. An exotic car also makes a memorable gift. “A client surprised her husband with our Ferrari 488 GTB. They led an elaborate scavenger hunt that led him, blindfolded, to our warehouse in Mount Kisco. She had a Happy Birthday banner for him, and he was in tears when he realized the Ferrari was his for the day! They then unleashed it on the winding roads of Bear Mountain.” Prices range from $1,600 to $1,800 per day.

36

RELAIS & CHATEAUX RETREAT

WINVIAN FARM

winvian.com

WESTPORT ESCAPE

If you want to feel like you’ve stepped out of reality and into a magical land, Winvian Farm (at right, below) in Litchfield County is the escape for you. With eighteen private cottages spread across 113 acres, social distancing is a given. “Seedto-fork” Five-Diamond fine dining (indoors, outdoors or in-cottage) and a luxury spa assure you will feel pampered, while at the same time enjoying the remote tranquility of your unique rustic-chic lodgings. With each whimsical cottage designed by different renowned architects, we can promise you’ve never been anywhere like this. “Beaver House,” “Log Cabin” and “Treehouse” are a few of the most secluded cottages (but there is zero chance of being disturbed by your neighbors in any of them).

“With travelers seeking closer-to-home getaways, Winvian Farm is an ideal relaxing retreat,” says Maggie Smith, Winvian proprietor and longtime Greenwich resident.

“Our location is roughly an hour from most Fairfield County towns. Our pool is an oasis during warmer months, and each accommodation comes with two mountain bikes, so guests can explore the beauty of the Litchfield Hills and take in the fresh country air.” Winvian has a dedicated Covid-19 program in place called “Pure Winvian” (details are on the website). Rates range from $799 to $1,399/night.

There is a two-night minimum on weekends. If you rent the whole place, you can bring along fifty lucky friends.

SEAGRAM’S CREEK

mghomes.com

This thirteen-acre estate (at right, top) comes equipped with a helicopter landing zone on the lawn, but once ensconced here, you may never want to leave. Architect Michael Greenberg began with a nineteenth-century chestnut barn, transported from Nichol’s Farm in Weston, and created a post-andbeam design that hearkens back to simpler times while simultaneously feeling exquisitely modern.

A dining room rich in reclaimed chestnut and oak features a fireplace of native stone (one of six in the home) that begs diners to relish leisurely meals in front of its crackling warmth. Covered porches invite songbird and butterfly watching. The pool and tennis court rival a resort, so why go to one?

A vegetable garden takes residents a step closer to self- sufficiency. Pair it with a wine cellar and several major food groups are covered.

A gym awaits should the weather not be agreeable for a trail walk to the gentle Aspetuck River. A separate 10,000-square-foot office means commuting is a thing of the past. »

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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TheGoodLife ||| OUT & ABOUT

above: With walking trails and large open fields, a dog park and historic mansion, there’s always something new to see in New Canaan’s Waveny Park.

Playgrounds For All Ages

Effortless ways to keep you happy and entertained all summer long

K

eeping our minds, bodies and souls healthy is what it’s all about these days. During the past year we’ve connected with nature and found some of the best local services to keep us safe and happy. Now, we definitely need some new places to visit. From sailing lessons to curbside pickup at our

favorite markets, it’s all right here in our fab little towns. There’s always something new to do, which is why it’s so easy to live, work and play in Fairfield County. We’re happy to share some of our favorite local outings so that we can continue to stay happy, healthy and connected.

westportmag.com

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MELANI LUST

by liz barron

37-38 TAKE A HIKE

THE NEW CANAAN LAND TRUST

newcanaanlandtrust.org

MIANUS RIVER PARK

friendsofmianusriverpark.org Chances are your step counts rise with the warmer weather. But you may be tired of the same routes and scenery from all those quarantine strolls. So you’ll definitely want to explore some new territory. Two of our favorite spots are just a short car ride away.

The New Canaan Land Trust spans 392 acres and has over six miles of trails to hike. For a walk in the woods, Waveny and Irwin parks, also in New Canaan, have shady and sunny paths to explore and lots of open grassy areas for a family picnic.

Mianus River Park is also a picturesque nature reserve situated on the Greenwich/Stamford border with expansive trails. And the best part is that these locations welcome leashed pups.

39-42 PETS PLEASE

WINSLOW GRASS ISLAND ROWAYTON DOG PARK SPENCER’S RUN Speaking of furry friends, there are lots of safe places for your dog to get exercise and socialize with their counterparts in the fourlegged community. Winslow dog park on Compo Road in Westport boasts the town’s largest off-leash area, and Grass Island dog park in Greenwich has two separate fenced-in areas for small and larger dogs, running water and bowls and even a baby pool for a rinse after playtime. The Rowayton dog park, on Highland Avenue will re-open on June 5. Spencer’s Run in New Canaan, located inside Waveny Park, is large and fencedin (one-and-a-half acres) but is only accessible to residents who have registered their dogs with the town and have a code to enter.

43-47

Longshore Sailing School in Westport offers lessons for all ages.

SMOOTH SAILING

SOUND SAILING CENTER

soundsailingcenter.com

YMCA

darien-ymca.org

SOUND WATERS

soundwaters.org

LONGSHORE SAILING SCHOOL

longshoresailingschool.com

GREENWICH COMMUNITY SAILING

© KSUKSA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CONTRIBUTED

greenwichsailing.com

Living along the Gold Coast means you better love living life on the water. Make sure to check into the Sound Sailing Center at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk for stellar sailing lessons for children and adults, as well as summer camps. The YMCA in Darien also has a youth sailing program, and Sound Waters in Stamford has kayaks and paddle boards available for rent. It also offer private and public schooner sails all summer long, where passengers can relax and enjoy the beauty of the sun setting on Long Island Sound. Longshore Sailing School in Westport is open to the public and offers season passes for kayaks and paddle boards. Greenwich Community Sailing has residents-only junior and adult learn-to-sail programs, offers rentals and hosts private events. » MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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48-52 HIT THE COURTS

THE NEW CANAAN RACQUET CLUB ncrctennis.com THE GREENWICH RACQUET CLUB greenwichracquetclub.com ROWAYTON TENNIS ASSOCIATION rowaytontennis.org KINGS HIGHWAY TENNIS CLUB kingshwytennis.com THE WESTPORT TENNIS CLUB westporttennisclub.com

Playing tennis is one of the lowest-risk Covid sporting activities. The New Canaan Racquet Club provides programs ranging from beginners to competitive pros and even offers a free thirty-minute lesson for those still on the fence. Darien and New Canaan also offer lessons through their town recreation departments, and Rowayton Tennis Association and Kings Highway Tennis Club have members-only and summer-camp programs available. The Greenwich Racquet Club and The Westport Tennis Club both offer clinics, parties and yearround programs for those who love to swing.

Local photographer Melani Lust hits the court.

58-61 NATURE’S BEST stamfordmuseum.org

THE CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY

ctaudubon.org

DARIEN NATURE CENTER

dariennaturecenter.org

NEW CANAAN

newcanaannature.org

“The Griff” offers lessons and camps.

53-57 TEE TIME

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is home to Heckscher Farm, where animal lovers are welcome to drop by and say hello all year long. The property also contains over eighty acres of nature trails as well as the Stamford Museum Galleries, which showcases various rotating exhibits.

Darien and New Canaan also have nature centers with extensive outdoor spaces to explore, and in Darien, a collection of live animals can be seen as well.

All three nature centers have playgrounds where kids can run, climb and get the ants out of their pants. The Connecticut Audubon Society in Fairfield runs year-round programs for children to learn about animals and explore the outdoors.

It also offers guided nature walks.

NORWALK COVE MARINA MINI GOLF norwalkcove.com/mini-golf STERLING FARMS sterlingfarmsgc.com STAMFORD AND OAK HILLS oakhillsgc.com FAIRCHILD WHEELER fairchildwheelergolf.com GRIFFITH E. HARRIS thegriffgolf.org Norwalk Cove Marina Mini Golf has an 18-hole course that challenges players like the pros.

To make it even more appealing, visitors can hone their skills while enjoying the scenic water views. For those looking to up their game, Sterling Farms is a public golf course in Stamford and Oak Hills is another in Norwalk. Griffith E. Harris in Greenwich is an 18-hole par 71 public golf course, and Fairchild Wheeler (aka “The Wheel”) opens to the public on May 15. All courses offer lessons for adults and children, with golf camps running throughout the summer. westportmag.com

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Stamford Nature Center

JACEK DOLATA; PHOTO COURTESY OF METROPOLITAN GOLF ASSOCIATION; STAMFORD MUSEUM AND NATURE CENTER BY ALI GRAY

THE STAMFORD MUSEUM AND NATURE CENTER

TheGoodLife ||| OUT & ABOUT

66-71

CURBSIDE CONVENIENCE

WALTER STEWART’S

stewartsmarket.com

BALDUCCI’S

instacart.com/balduccis.com

PALMER’S MARKET

palmersdarien.com

KINDRED SPIRITS & WINE

kindredspiritsandwine.com

SIPSTIRS

sipstirs.com

GRAPEVINE

thegrapevinect.com If there’s one thing we hope never goes away, it’s curbside service from some of our local grocery stores. Luckily for us, both Walter Stewart’s in New Canaan and in Darien offer online ordering with options for both delivery and curbside pickup. Balducci’s in Greenwich offers delivery through Instacart. Hungry and thirsty?

The Grapevine in Westport, Kindred Spirits & Wine in Fairfield and Sipstirs in Darien all have an amazing assortment, and they deliver now, too. »

GARVIN BURKE; VENERA ALEXANDROVA

Sipstirs in Darien

62-65 GET YOUR GREENS

FAIRFIELD fairfieldfarmersmarket.org WESTPORT westportfarmersmarket.com NEW CANAAN newcanaanfarmersmarket.com GREENWICH greenwichfarmersmarketct.com

Supporting our local farmers is where it’s at. The Westport Farmers Market opens May 13, and runs through November 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday, with a stellar selection of goods. The Fairfield Farmers Market, conveniently located on the Post Road, is open every Sunday from June through October and hosts nearly twenty local farms and food producers. New Canaan has a farmers market, too, with numerous fresh vendors and is open every Saturday, also beginning in June, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Center School Lot. Greenwich Farmers Market is held at the Commuter Parking Lot off of Arch Street and Horseneck Lane is open on Saturdays.

MAY/JUNE 2021 WESTPORT

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TheGoodLife ||| OUT & ABOUT

11

72

UNDER THE SEA THE MARITIME AQUARIUM maritimeaquarium.org The Maritime Aquarium maritimeaquarium.org in Norwalk has seventy-five live exhibits and features 300 species of over 2,700 marine animals. From touch tanks to seal shows, this aquamarine adventure has something to offer for everyone. The recently added 4D theater gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy a next level movie experience with effects like bubbles, wind, mists, smells and more. The aquarium also offers year-round public and private charters on its research vessel, ranging from seal-spotting and birding to Norwalk Island cruises.

above: From a brand-new 4D theater to touch tanks and a massive shark environment, a day at the Maritime Aquarium is a must for children and adults alike.

GET CREATIVE

BEST TIME EVER

thebesttimeever.com

HANDS ON POTTERY

hopct.com

ROWAYTON ARTS CENTER

rowaytonarts.org

An art studio in Stamford allows children of all ages to be creative with its array of take-home art kits (think slime making or ceramics painting), drop-in sessions, small group summer camp sessions and birthday parties.

In addition to the art studio, it also has an indoor playscape that gives kids a place to run, jump and explore in a safe environment.

Hands on Pottery in Darien is another great option for indoor fun, and they offer “pottery to go” for those who would rather paint at home.

For adults looking for a more sophisticated art kit, the Rowayton Arts Center now has take-home kits for painting and drawing ranging from $20-$35. Sweet.

76-77 HAY NOW

SALKO FARM

salkofarmandstable.com

MEAD FARM

meadfarm.com

Horseback riding has been known to reduce stress and increase creativity, so who wouldn’t want that? Mead Farm is one of the oldest horseback riding facilities in Stamford and has been operating since 1928. It offers year-round riding private and group lessons for both children and adults and caters to first-time riders and experts. Salko Farm in Southport also offers lessons, a summer riding clinic and even hosts birthday parties.

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KEEP IT COOL

LAKE MOHEGAN Most towns along the coast have public beaches that residents can frequent with town-issued passes and non-residents can visit with day passes (but those take some planning). Lake Mohegan in Fairfield is a family-friendly place to swim or hang out on a sandy shore. The 170-acre park has hiking trails, a manmade fresh-water lake, sprinkler park, playground and snack bar. Since it’s open to the public, a last-minute trip is super easy. Entrance fees ranging from four to eighteen dollars, depending on age, residency and day of the week, are paid at the gate. »

westportmag.com

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MARITIME AQUARIUM; LAKE MOHEGAN BY AMBER SCINTO

73-75

Lake Mohegan in Fairfield

TheGoodLife ||| FASHION

St yle Points

Shopping local is more important now than ev er before. Lucky for us all the best to choose fr , we have om, right here in our ow n backyard by me ga n gagn on

79-82 MODERN UNIFORM

SHOP SMARTER, NOT HARDER

I

f you could only stock your closet with pieces from these stores, you’d be more than set. An endless stream of possibilities would be at your disposal; the ability to craft ensembles with their minimal neutrals, tailored separates and fine knits. And if you’re only associating these lines with workwear, you’re missing out on the versatility that the clothes offer, inside or outside an office setting.

THEORY Good linen casual blazer; $495. Silk wideleg pull-on pant; $365

FIND THEM HERE Theory, Greenwich & Westport Vince, Greenwich & Westport Joie, Greenwich Club Monaco, Greenwich

JULY 2019 GREENWICH

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TheGoodLife ||| FASHION

Shop To It Navigate our stylish spots by addressing all of your wardrobe needs

83-8 6

ULTRA LOUNGE

SAY GOODBYE TO SAD SWEATPANTS

87-92

EXPERT EDIT

SMALL BOUTIQUES WITH BIG STYLE

You know them (or you should) by now: those boutiques that line our main streets, filling the smaller spaces between larger, name-brand stores. What they (sometimes) lack in real estate, they make up for in selection, a curated mix of labels and musthave accessories. Knowledgeable owners can make suggestions, point out new styles and provide the oneon-one customer service that’ll keep you coming back.

FIND THEM HERE

FIND THEM HERE

Marine Layer, Westport Splendid, Westport Warm, Darien Whim, Darien & Stamford Splendid Speckled lounge hoodie and pants; $138 each

Perfect Provenance, Greenwich Chou Chou, Rowayton Togs, New Canaan Fred, Old Greenwich & Westport Apricot Lane, Fairfield Great Stuff, Greenwich & Westport

93-98

GOOD JEANS

THE PERFECT PAIR IS A DRESSING ROOM AWAY

above: Come for the Frame jeans. Try not to want everything else.

Just when you think you’ve found your dream denim, a new style or brand always seems to appear, convincing you that yes, you do need at least one more pair of jeans.

Now a staple in every fashionable woman’s wardrobe, the options for style, size, length, rise and rinse are limitless. But finding the ones that are right for you? That’s where it gets tricky. Head to these spots to try something on, try something new (cropped flares are fun for summer) and add a few more to your jean collection. westportmag.com

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FIND THEM HERE Rag & Bone, Greenwich Frame, Greenwich Madewell, Greenwich & Westport 7 For All Mankind, Westport B Chic, Wilton Havana Jeans, Stamford

PERFECT PROVENANCE BY JULIE BIDWELL; ALL OTHER IMAGES COURTESY OF STORES

First there was athleisure, that hybrid category embraced by everyone hoping to make their days at work and on-thego just a little more comfortable. Then came stay-at-home orders and the birth of a whole new category of elevated loungewear, offering stylish alternatives to your coziest sets.

Think separates that work in and out of the house and can be dressed up as needed. Add some statement sneakers if you’re venturing out and you’ve got one chic look.

above: Greenwich’s Perfect Provenance is housed in a 1912 Victorian home

99-103

THE CLASSICS

FUTURE-PROOF FASHION IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT

Timeless clothes will always be in style, despite what the latest trend forecast predicts (although mixing in modern pieces is always encouraged). These are the places we know will always have the perfect blazer, the classic coat, the crisp button-down shirt. And when it comes to iconic stripes or sweet gingham prints, you can never have enough.

left: Veronica Beard Greenwich is furnished with Schumacherupholstered pieces

J. CREW Shirt dress; $128

FIND THEM HERE Vineyard Vines, Greenwich, New Canaan & Westport J. Crew, Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford & Westport, Ralph Lauren, New Canaan J. McLaughlin, Darien, Greenwich & New Canaan Talbots, Westport

above: 4.83 ct. fancy yellow cushion-cut ring

104-107

LUXE LABELS FROM THE RUNWAY TO YOUR CLOSET We should count ourselves lucky that so many fabulous designers have set up shop in our towns. You may spot their pieces elsewhere but having access to an entire seasonal line from your favorite brand is a whole other experience. Even better, getting to spend time in the gorgeous spaces thoughtfully designed to complement their collections.

TORY BURCH Lee Radziwill small double bag; $998

FIND THEM HERE Veronica Beard, Greenwich Tory Burch, Greenwich Jenni Kayne, Greenwich Alice & Olivia, Greenwich

113-117

TRAVEL READY

JUST ADD WATER

ROLLER RABBIT BY ANTHONY BATISTA; ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF STORES/BRANDS

above: The grand staircase at Richards in Greenwich

108-112

AT YOUR SERVICE

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A LITTLE HELP?

Everyone deserves a vacation this year. But even if you’re only planning on going as far as your own backyard or town beach, there’s no reason why you can’t stock up on new resortwear pieces. Build a summer capsule around block-printed caftans, breezy wrap dresses and some tassel-trimmed coverups to pair with a fresh rotation of swimsuits.

Sometimes you need to enlist the expertise of a personal shopper to find the perfect outfit for a special occasion. Sometimes you’re in a browsing mood, open to possibility and looking for inspiration.

Sometimes shoes are on sale. Whatever the reason, a visit to a department or specialty store delivers all of these experiences (and more) under one roof.

FIND THEM HERE

FIND THEM HERE

Everything But Water, Greenwich Roller Rabbit, Greenwich Eres, Greenwich Soleil Toile, New Canaan & Westport Morley, Darien

Mitchells, Westport Richards, Greenwich Barneys at Saks, Greenwich Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Darien Sport Shop, Darien

Roller Rabbit Rhody ruffle bralette; $64.

Hipster; $50

TheGoodLife ||| JEWELRY

118 EVERYDAY ELEGANCE

HENRY C. REID & SON JEWELERS hcreidjewelers.com

ILA Deja Necklace; $6,185

Town Jewels

Our local experts fill us in on new styles, old favorites and the best parts about selling sparkle by megan gagnon

Q: What new necklace styles are customers requesting?

A: “I am finding lately that women want to wear something beautiful but different; somewhat more understated and wearable on a daily basis.

We create many pieces in house using recycled gold as well as partnering with different vendors that share our sustainable mindset. For us, the key is offering jewelry that our clients connect with in a traditional sense, but it has to be a little different than what anyone else has.”

—Greg French, President, Henry C. Reid & Son Jewelers

BUDS BETTERIDGE 120 BEST

Q: What’s a unique gift idea that you love to recommend?

A: “I point people toward these pieces by Buccellati; they’re fine, signed, wearable and affordable. The necklace is a sterling silver, vermeil, and fancy color diamond forty-two-inch chain, easy to wear single or double, just dressy enough but playful and feminine. The earrings can be worn alone or with other silver or gold jewelry. I really think they’re good for any age; both my wife and daughter have the earrings and love them.”

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Platinum emerald and diamond ring; $23,000

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Buccellati Daisy necklace; $2,700. Gardenia earrings; $240

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—Faye Kim, Owner/Designer, Faye Kim Designs westportmag.com

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121 LOBE STORY

NAGI JEWELERS nagijewelers.com

122 PIECE OF HISTORY

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Diamond engagement ring in platinum and yellow gold; $8,450

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Q: What’s your current favorite estate piece?

Sea of Beauty floating pearl open marquise earrings by Mizuki; $650

A: “Using old European cut diamonds, this beautiful necklace is important yet retains an elegant, soft appearance. Exquisitely made, it has perfect movement when worn.”

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Q: What are some modern earrings trends you’re seeing?

A: “Earrings are in! With masks on faces, earrings seem to be the one item we want to make sure we have on. The earring trends for 2021 seem to be large hoops, and long earrings.

Single earrings are very fashionable, and mismatched, imperfectly round pearls are very trendy. Pearls, in general, are back.”

—Liz Osta, Owner, Nagi Jewelers

Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori 33mm in yellow gold; $28,200

Antique diamond cluster necklace, circa 1880; $148,000

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RETRO RINGS

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A: “We’re going back in time to a more traditional diamond engagement ring with tapered baguettes. Yellow gold is also making a strong comeback.”

—John Green, President & CEO, Lux Bond & Green

18K yellow gold origami emerald hoop earrings by Katherine Jetter; price upon request

WATCH OUT

MANFREDI JEWELS manfredijewels.com

18K yellow gold Tahitian pearl chain earrings by Katherine Jetter; $7,480

IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

Q: What are some women’s watch trends we can expect to see this year?

A: “One of the trends in 2021 in women’s watches is the return of the yellow gold bracelet watches. It can be with or without diamonds but yellow gold is back. Another trend is to wear very feminine watches.

Often ladies’ pieces are men’s watches that are just made smaller, but there are some really beautiful pieces from brands like Chopard, Bulgari and Hermès. These brands create watches that are specifically designed for women. Bulgari with the Serpenti Seduttori, the Imperiale from Chopard and the ever classic Hermès Cape Cod are watches that are the definition of femininity.”

—Roberto Chiappelloni, Owner, Manfredi Jewels

IT PERSONAL 125 MAKE MITCHELLS

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Q: What’s the best part about having jewelry trunk shows in-store?

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by brigitte quinn

OPPOSITE PAGE: TOMAS SUCHANEK - STOCK.ADOBE.COM ; CROSSINGS, 1986 © AARON SPELLING PROD. / COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION

Plummer starred in the miniseries Crossings (1986), about an affair during Nazi-occupied Paris

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And then there was Christopher Plummer: gracious, at ease and expansive as we talked about many of the roles he played in his revered, decades-long film, stage and television career.

But I didn’t know what Plummer would be like when I was invited to his Weston home for a cover-story interview for Westport magazine in 2011. We arranged the sit-down through a publicist for his rollicking 600-plus-page memoir In Spite of Myself. I assumed he would be happy to talk about the book, but I was nervous. I didn’t want to seem star struck in the presence of the then two-time Tony and two-time Emmy winner. An admitted boozer and rake as a young actor, would he be a cranky curmudgeon? A Shakespearean actor, mentioned in the same breath as Olivier, would he be dismissive of his juicy screen roles?

Would the man who played the late newsman and interviewer nonpareil Mike Wallace shut me down when I asked him about that other more famous role? After all, Plummer had once described Captain von Trapp, his character in the 1965 Best Picture Oscar winner The Sound of Music, as a “cardboard figure.”

The answer to all of the above was “no.” As we chatted for a leisurely hour, I asked Plummer about his long-ago nicknames for the movie, “S&M” and “Sound of Mucus.” He laughed warmly and protested: “We all had nicknames for it. I wasn’t the only one!” He added that he knew it was a “terrifically made movie;” he was just trying to give it some edge. And Plummer crystallized the sentiment that interviewers wish all actors understood about their ardent fans.

“You can’t up and spoil their fun.”

PERFECT PAIRING

Costars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music

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When Plummer died at his Weston home in February at the age of ninety-one, a 2015 clip of him and Julie Andrews being interviewed about the fiftieth anniversary of The Sound of Music went viral. They were asked if the film’s success could be attributed to their chemistry. Plummer beamed at his costar and answered, “She had the chemistry. She really did, and we followed her like St. Joan into battle.” Smiling at Andrews, he added, “It was your film.” Commenters on social media called Plummer “the perfect gentleman” for his humble demeanor. Tearstreaked reaction emojis abounded. About that chemistry: Andrews’ fans these days include those who know her as the narrator in the Netflix series Bridgerton, but the smoldering looks exchanged between Daphne and the Duke have nothing on Maria and the Captain.

When Plummer welcomed me into his home four years before that Sound of Music milestone, he had no pre-conditions, no requests—he asked only that we take no pictures of his retreat.

Plummer was arguably a more private star than the late Paul Newman. Westport residents seemed to make a sport of reporting Newman sightings everywhere from Gold’s Deli to the

THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 1965, TM AND © 20TH CENTURY FOX FILM CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED / COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION

anging on the wall in my current basement broadcast studio (I’m an anchor at 1010WINS radio in New York City) is a framed New Yorker cartoon of a bowling ball being questioned by a talk show host. The bowling ball’s caption: “But I’m not here to talk about bowling.”

Anyone who interviews people for a living will tell you some celebrities despise talking about the roles that made them famous; they’d rather discuss a current project or a cause or their directorial debut. Many a talk-show studio alley is littered with “bowling balls.”

84TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS, 2012; PHOTO BY GREGORIO BINUYA/ EVERETT COLLECTION

Christopher Plummer, winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Beginners, and oldest Oscar winner in the press room for The 84th Annual Academy Awards— Oscars 2012— Press Room, Hollywood & Highland Center, Los Angeles, 2012

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Plummer portrayed Harlan Thrombey in the 2019 comedy crime drama Knives Out. Actors Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer in Beginners (2010)

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION: PALEY CENTER BY DEREK STORM; BEGINNERS, 2010, © FOCUS FEATURES • KNIVES OUT

BY CLAIRE FOLGER / © LIONSGATE • ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD, 2017, BY GILES KEYTE / © TRISTAR PICTURES

Plummer was nominated in 2018 for his role as J. Paul Getty in All the Money in the World.

The Paley Center for Media, NYC, hosted "An Evening with Christopher Plummer" in 2012.

PHOTOGRAPHY; SERGHEI VELUSCEAC - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

former Newman-co-owned Dressing Room restaurant. Plummer had known Newman and wife, Joanne Woodward, for his entire theatrical life and said he had great affection for them.

Their paths certainly crossed at the Westport Country Playhouse, where Plummer was a member of the initial Artistic Advisory board, and in 2005 became the first actor to perform on the renovated stage.

As for being recognized in public as the Newmans often were, Plummer described his fans’ reaction as “a twinkle of recognition,” but he described them as being very laid-back.

When I asked if he’d ever been accosted while dining at his favorite restaurant, The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, he smiled and said no, it was just a fun, unpretentious family spot.

Newman won his only Oscar late in life, at the age sixty-two, for 1987’s The Color of Money.

Plummer won his at age eighty-two. When we spoke, there was Oscar buzz for Plummer’s performance in Beginnings as Hal, a man who comes out as gay after the death of his wife.

When I asked how he felt about winning, he demurred, saying, “If it comes, it comes.” It came. In 2012 Plummer won Best Supporting Actor, becoming the oldest person to win an Oscar in a competitive category. His speech should be a template, a tutorial for anyone accepting any award for anything. He held up his golden statuette and, gazing at it, asked, “You’re only two years older than me, darling.

Where have you been all my life?” The speech was witty, genuine, self-deprecating; it ended with a moving appreciation of his wife, Elaine, whom he said deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for coming to his rescue every day of his life.

Plummer’s verbal eloquence was matched by his sartorial elegance. He wore a finely tailored velvet jacket, crisp white shirt and bow tie. He was a dapper study in old Hollywood style.

daughters who had never seen it in its entirety (“He is soooooo handsome, Mom!”), I decided to delve deeper into the Plummer canon of more than 100 movies and found 1994’s Dolores Claiborne, in which he plays a rumpled detective determined to prove Kathy Bates’ title character guilty of murder. Director Taylor Hackford recalled having a tough time making Plummer look like anything less than a million bucks in any of the suits he donned. Hackford is quoted in Deadline as saying Plummer told him it was just the way he was built. Plummer then came up with a solution himself: He used cosmetics to make his nose look broken. Suddenly, said Hackford, the image of the haggard inspector materialized before his eyes.

In 2017 Plummer earned another Oscar nomination for his portrayal of J. Paul Getty, the billionaire who refused to pay ransom for his kidnapped grandson in All the Money in the World. He famously replaced Kevin Spacey, who had been accused of sexual misconduct, at the last minute. The New York Times described Plummer’s performance as “magnetic” and “monstrous.”

Plummer played the head of a monstrous family in 2019’s Knives Out, a critically acclaimed murder mystery, in which he was reunited with his costar from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Daniel Craig, whom he described as “a pro, great fun.” Commenting on Plummer’s death, Craig said Plummer was a

PURE GOLD When Plummer died, I felt the need to watch one of his movies. Since I had only recently watched Sound of Music again with one of my

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“lovely, charming man…a joy to be around.”

Knives Out would not be Plummer’s last role.

His final on-screen performance was in 2019’s all-star-cast war drama The Last Full Measure.

He had also completed recording his role in this year’s animated Heroes of the Golden Mask and had starred in the recent television missingflight drama Departure.

LASTING LEGACY When Plummer died, he was preparing to play King Lear on screen for director Des McAnuff, a fellow Canadian native. The two-time Tony Award-winning McAnuff was artistic director at the Stratford Festival in Ontario when he directed Plummer in a production of The Tempest in 2010. McAnuff told The Canadian Press that he and Plummer, who had played Lear at Stratford and on Broadway, had dinner about eighteen months ago when McAnuff jokingly said they should do a Lear movie. Plummer, he said, called him the next day, expressing genuine interest. They had plans to start shooting in Newfoundland this summer. McAnuff told The Press, “The loss of the friend is much greater than the loss of the film.” It’s “gargantuan… immeasurable.” Upon the news, McAnuff headed to Weston.

When I sat with Plummer in his Weston home those ten years ago, our backdrop was a table adorned with framed photos of the many other collaborators who no doubt loved him. During our conversation, I had grown comfortable—he had avoided no topic, he had refused no question. I asked another: Of your several decades acting, do you have a favorite era? Plummer’s response: “It is now…because it surprises me to know that I’m sort of in demand, still, at this exalted age. Whether it’s the fact that all the older actors are dying off and I’m the only one left—that could be true—but I love what I’m doing now.”

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postscript

MAY/JUNE 2021 / DONNA MOFFLY

S

“He stood outside their door and made a momentous decision. Rather than wake everyone up, he’d just undress in the hall.”

o now it’s June, the month that launches 1,000 reunions. Except last year. And this year, too, unless they’re somehow staged on Zoom. But that’s not the same as getting together with friends and making memories—the crazy, fun kind.

Like my forty-fifth at Wellesley. I was staying in a single on the fourth floor of a dorm turned co-ed for the occasion and on my way to the loo in the middle of the night got locked out of my room in my nightgown. But, thank God, with my glasses. All doors were shut; no help at hand. So I rode the elevator down to the first floor, rummaged around the unmanned bell desk and came up with a bunch of keys— meanwhile checking out the living room for what I might sleep on and use for cover. But I got back to my room unobserved and—open sesame!—one of the keys worked.

Dorms were never my favorite accommodations. Jack and I took the kids to Princeton to march in many reunion P-rades, usually staying with friends just off campus.

But once we ended up on the top floor of Little Hall. The room was filthy, the bathrooms in the basement, and we got no sleep because aluminum beer kegs were being rolled down those three flights of iron stairs in some sort of bizarre undergrad contest. Never again, said I. Meanwhile, the wife of a classmate of Jack’s from Greenwich had insisted on staying at a hotel. Smart lady. On Saturday night she and their three young daughters retired well ahead of her husband who partied on… and on. Finally back at the hotel, he stood in the corridor outside their door and made a momentous decision. Rather than wake everyone up, he’d just undress in the hall. But for all his consideration, his wife heard the commotion, opened the door and quickly

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pulled the near-naked “damned fool” inside.

One Princeton reunion was enough for our Darien friend Peter Ward. His first. And he was only there long enough to pick up his P-rade uniform—a T-shirt reading “Fabulous First” on the front and “1947” on the back.

After a few pops, Peter and classmate Joe Gordon decided it would be much more fun to drive up to La Rue, a respectable New York nightclub for the college set. (He’d find out years later that the father of a girl he often took there would have La Rue send him a copy of their bills to see how much she was drinking.)

Just as Peter and Joe arrived, so did somebody driving a “flying car”—an airplane with its wings folded back converted to a car.

The doorman left his gold-roped post and everyone in the restaurant rushed out to gawk, allowing the boys to slip inside in their P-rade attire. Eventually, of course, they were thrown out. It was Peter’s first and last reunion.

Once Jack and I bought a large rockinghorse tiger in the Princeton Museum shop and had the awkward and somewhat embarrassing job of carrying him across campus to the car. On the way, a young woman full of beer gave our tiger a big kiss that left a bright red lipstick mark on his muzzle forever. Anyway, “Plimpton” is now safely stabled under the piano for our grandchildren to ride.

Then there was the year I went back to Cleveland for my Hathaway Brown fortieth and fell to chatting with a fellow I’d dated in high school. We exchanged tales of children (his three, my two), businesses (his cars, my magazines), et al. Until he finally observed: “Gee, Donna, you turned out a lot better than I thought you would!” Hmmm.

Well, as long as old friends get together, there will be stories.

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

OF REUNION RECOLLECTIONS

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